As the broadest of all of the social sciences, Sociology provides a wide range of practical and marketable skills, including critical analysis, statistical methods, theory, and field research. Now, Im able to have discussions with those who may not be fully aware of these injustices in order to create a shift in how they might see them. Social scientists working in interdisciplinary teams have made their mark in the area of human welfare and development. When thousands of Americans (many of them white) took to the streets last May and June in the midst of a global pandemic to protest the killing of George Floyd, were they motivated strictly by a desire to maximize their personal utility? Sociology teaches people how to understand the intricacies of life and how to cope with ever-changing circumstances. We'll talk about 10 good reasons to study sociology. Make your university search faster and less stressful. So, what is sociology? Championing original and authoritative research. The Centre for the Study of Global Media and Democracy at Goldsmiths College, London is monitoring how transformation from traditional to digital media is examining the move away from traditional journalism and politics to where we as citizens try to be community journalists, presenting our own accounts online. When I discovered just how impactful the study of our society would be on my own life, I couldn't have been happier with my decision of choosing it as my major and here are 10 reasons why. Men have failed to bring peace to the world. Students conclude their coursework through more applied and experiential courses (internshipand/orcommunity involvement), with the capstone seminar in sociology as the culminating experience within the major. This article will also answer this question. For debates about feminism, peace, ecology, social movements, and much more, social science offers each of us new perspectives and new ways of understanding. Studying sociology should be an important component of your college education, regardless of major, for two reasons: Sociology will enable you to gain a better understanding of the social forces that shape your own life, so that you will be better poised to deal with them. Thats enough to cause anyone to start channel surfing. It has Further taught us to be objective. Effective nutritional advice needs to be tailored to peoples everyday lives and contexts. Is Sociology Right for You? Salem State offers 33 undergraduate degree programs in the liberal arts, human services and business, along with graduate programs that providedegrees in 24 fields and a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs. are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written Subjects like International Relations, Anthropology, Political Science, History, Literature, Cultural Studies, etc., all have a give and take relationship with Sociology. Five reasons to study Sociology If you're interested in studying the popular degree of Sociology, discover five reasons why you should consider it, what career options are available and if it's the best course for you. Employers look for people with great verbal and writing communication abilities, as well as teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic. In the rapidly growing modern industrial world that is only becoming more and more complex, a discipline like sociology helps to understand and analyze the innate differences that lie within individuals and how the individual contributes to the whole. Request information to learn more about studying sociology at Rider University. 1. The discipline of sociology studies numerous societies, their cultures, traditions and behaviors; and it is this very nature of the discipline that helps human beings create a clearer understanding and acceptance of each others differences. Sociology allows you to gain a greater understanding of the complex and simple nature of humans and their societies. 1. The study of sociology focuses on the structure of social groups, organizations and societiesand how people interact within these structures, according to the American Sociological Association. Our eating habits are influenced by a whole range of circumstances. Pre-equipping ourselves with this understanding helps human beings function better in society by utilizing our similarities and mediating our differences in the most effective and nurturing ways. Learn more about Sociology at Salem State. critical and impartial. One common myth is that if you take measures to reduce crime in one neighbourhood the criminals simply move on, leading to increased crime in another area. then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution: Use the information below to generate a citation. When studying sociology, I discovered the only way I could truly help others was by learning about how these injustices happened in the first place. 10 Places To Get Work Done That Arent Coffee Shops, Where to Find Dorm Essentials at Low Prices, Picking the Right Laptop for College (Mac vs PC vs Tablet). Social scientists working on behalf of the Runnymede Trust found that this doesnt just this depend on where we live, but that black and minority ethnic people are more likely to live in areas where theyre forced to pay. Read: How to Apply Sociology in Everyday Life. at any time. Learning research methods as an undergraduate sociology student will be helpful for a future graduate program. observations and conclusions on the basis of which different developmental plans are made. Feb 9, 2022 OpenStax. Read on to learn 10 reasons most people don't find sociology overly difficult. Other alternatives include studying abroad, off-campus jobs, and community service. But for students who may not have direct experience with some of the social issues raised in our classes, studying sociology helps students to not only better understand the world around them, but sociology helps students to better understand they own lives. This meaning that when you meet someone that is struggling, is different, or even holds a lot of anger against the worldyou get to understand that it is not just a personal issue. Our entire perspective on various aspects of crime has shifted as a result of sociological study. consent of Rice University. Groups vary in their sizes and formalities, as well as in the levels of attachment between group members, among other things. Reading, writing, and oral communication skills, Quantitative literacy and statistical reasoning skills, Research skills (e.g., literature review, data collection, and data analysis), Social skills (e.g., communication skills, ability to interact with people from different social backgrounds, cultural competence, and empathy). The study of societies is important as every society has their own unique characteristics and histories that define the lives of people that belong to them. The first term I ever learned was sociological imagination, which entails making connections between personal challenges and larger social issues. (n.d.). It will provide you with the background education you need to understand social issues like social inequality in class in addition to criminology and the criminal justice system and various other social and work settings. Also Read: Sociological Perspectives on War, 7. We have just noted that socialization is how culture is learned, but socialization is also important for another important reason. In the latest edition of the QS World University Rankings, the . First of all, researchers emphasize that it is crucial to use adequate terminology to successfully utilize sociological strategies Berger 6. Sociology is the scientific study of the big social institutions as well as the individuals relationship to each other. They can track your browser across other sites and build up a profile of your interests. Ever since I was a child, I saw those in need and felt the strong desire to do something in order to help them. Yet in our fast changing world, there is a place for the social scientist as public intellectual. To learn more about careers in Sociology please visit our careers page. Working and interacting in social groups are often keys to success. Without this kind of analysis we may feel like pawns in a global game of chess. Why might people acting similarly not feel connected to others exhibiting the same behavior? In todays world, people are Being confronted with many new and complicated social issues. And the advancement in the field of science and technology social changes occur rapidly in the world societies. Want to cite, share, or modify this book? 1999-2023, Rice University. Broaden your skillset A Sociology degree will provide you with abilities that can be applied to a variety of jobs. Get in touch with us with any questions about our academic programs, campus life or applying. Also Read: What are job opportunities for sociology students. Sociology attempts to understand how things like society, social events, interactions, and patterns influence the way humans think, act, and feel. Even if you can only squeeze in one sociology course, it will stock your toolkit with critical thinking and research skills and challenge you to grapple with fascinating and complex social issues., Sociologists are highly attuned to how seemingly personal troubles might actually be public issues, Keys explained. Individual citizens may feel empowered by this but there are risks in turning away from traditional journalism, including fewer opportunities for indepth analysis and critique of powerful interests. One reason to study sociology is simply because sociology is a fascinating and multifaceted discipline. Majoring in sociology helped me better understand how laws are not only formed, but why they were formed in the first place. OpenStax is part of Rice University, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We know that Britains social scientists are world leaders in their fields, but why do we need them? Book me to chat and see if Sociology is a good fit for you! Three reasons to study Sociology: High level of student satisfaction: perhaps it is this wide range of topics covered by sociology that has students enjoy the subject so much. Psychologists at the University of Liverpool spent time in a steel factory to work out what needs doing to create a safer environment. All societies and all governments want to show they are dong the best for children. Equipped with its various modes and methods of research, it was the only discipline that sought to analyze the nature and complexities of human societies. Describe why socialization is important for being fully human. Law schools are Read more, Get Your 7000$ Scholarship In this article, you will know everything about top 15 cheapest engineering universities in Canada this article is very important for students who want to study engineering in Canada. As a sociology major, I not only was able to learn about the world around me, but also had the opportunity to learn about myself in the process. Sociology makes a reader up-to-date to various social predicaments. Take a look at all the different research and teaching interest areas of our faculty to get an idea of how varied sociology is. Cultural awareness and competence. Understanding the fundamentals of sociology allows you to appreciate the situations of individuals who are not like you, which is a valuable skill in todays fast globalizing society. North Central College We all resent paying to withdraw our money from cash machines. Speakers include Sociology graduates and representatives from businesses, government agencies, service organizations, and graduate schools. Sociology contributes so much to our understanding of human interaction, said Jennifer Keys, a scholar, published author and professor of sociology at North Central College. Please remember to clear your browsing data and cookies when you change your cookies preferences. With the multiple methods of research as mentioned above, a clear and comprehensive understanding of the social issue is formed, which allows the researchers to devise the most suitable and effective solution according to each problem. THE LENSES OF ORGANIZATIONAL SOCIOLOGY 155 We then examine how the lenses of different theories about organizations have contributed to whether and how these questions are addressed. Then we will want to listen, read and find out more. This article is very important for students who want to study Criminal Justice abroad. They help us to know which pages are popular and see how visitors move around the site. Along with the multitude of intricacies and complexities in society, come the various social issues and disputes in society. Sociology plays a major role in raising awareness about the nature of livelihoods of marginalized communities. This video is #1 in the series \"Pros \u0026 Cons of Studying Sociology\".I'll give you lots of insider info as a Sociology student myself and help you make the right decision FOR YOURSELF.Check out video #2 in the series \"Why You SHOULDN'T Study Sociology\" here: https://youtu.be/jeQzo4wKyRg__RESOURCES MENTIONEDBlog post on Pros and Cons of Sociology: https://blogs.bath.ac.uk/students/2020/11/30/my-pros-and-cons-of-studying-sociology/MUSIC//Music by Ryan Little - Think About You - https://thmatc.co/?l=E7954BBC CONNECT WITH ME//Website: https://www.joellephua.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joellephua_/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/joellephua_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joellephua/ Business emails only: jyqphua@outlook.com ABOUT//Hey! Observations so employed by the sociology are also testable. You can change your cookies preference at any time by visiting our Cookies Notice page. If you want to learn more about the differences between sociology vs. psychology or anthropology vs. sociology, follow the provided links! 2083 Lawrenceville Road They work with government institutions, UN organisations, social services, funding agencies, and with the media.They are influencing the work of strategists, planners, teachers and programme officers in developing and growing economies, like India, to influence development so that it impacts on the lives of the poorest members of society. Students often major in sociology simply because they enjoy the courses we offer. (Department of Sociology, University of Alabama, n.d.). 4. The skills developed during a Sociology degree are applicable to many areas of work. Describe two kinds of ethical issues and/or guidelines that characterize sociological research. Angela Roy is currently pursuing her majors in Sociology and minors in International Relations and History, as a part of her BA Liberal Arts Honors degree in SSLA, Pune. Accidents at work happen even in the best regulated companies that provide staff training and take all necessary precautions. The growth of railways and factories not only transformed the economy and the world of work, but also changed forever the way people organised their family lives and leisure. Make your university search faster and less stressful. Youve learned how the study of sociology can benefit you, but there are important ways that the field of sociology improves our modern society as a whole, according to Sociology Guide: As a social science, studying sociology can prepare you for a variety of careers. Sociology is distinct because it uses theoretical frameworks and empirical research methods to study social life, social change, social structure and the causes and consequences of human behavior in a wide variety of social contexts. Those working in development studies are then able to support womens ability to benefit by looking for creative solutions to such problems. Then we can get all the disciplines around the table together. 30 N. Brainard StreetNaperville, IL 60540, If you want to learn more about the differences between, Center for Career and Professional Development. They transmit it to others. For example, social scientists from the Delhi School of Economics are cooperating with colleagues at SOAS, University of London to explore the impact of legislation in India to guarantee minimum wages for rural unskilled manual labourers on the loves of women. 1.4 Why Study Sociology? Studying sociology will allow you to learn about a wide range of topics that often represent major issues in American human society and across the globe. Business. When choosing to be a sociology major, youre forced to take classes the entail a variety of topics. However, blocking some types of cookies may affect your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. We use manage your preferences at any time YES I AGREE http://www.uah.edu/la/departments/. Sociology is a very important subject in our culture. There are many fundamental theories of Sociology like structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory. Yet too often education reform seems to take place without regard for the best interests of the learners. Sociology provides the intellectual understanding and real-life experiences that enhance these social skills. The lack of a discipline such as sociology, makes it almost impossible to find viable solutions to these problems. Admissions: 800-257-9026, First-Year and Transfer Student Resources, Career Preparation, Internships and Applied Courses, Law and Justice Distinguished Contributions Award Event, Why Our Faculty Are Passionate About Sociology, Sociology Curriculum and Career Resources, Sociology and Criminology Department at Rider. Social media cookies enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. Data not found. Sociology helps us examine the way in which the individual contributes to the whole. You can also discover how mental wellness can be enhanced, how to reduce stress, how to boost memory, and how to live a happier . U.S. Representative Maxine Waters (California), Former U.S. Studying and Reading Sociology helps one gain a valid understanding about the various social forces that play a part in ones life, and this knowledge better equips one to deal with these social forces and make rational decisions for themselves. Sociology helps understand various human and social perspectives in which individual lives are defined and shaped. A sociology student will study subjects like family interaction, religious traditions and organized crime, and better understand issues surrounding race, gender and social class. The main purpose of Sociology is to understand the structure and fabric of human societies and the mutually influential relationship between society and people. He loves to write about higher education and study abroad. Physical science advancements have brought the nations of the world closer together. However, the world has been left behind by sciences revolutionary progress in the social field. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. cookies Sociology as an academic discipline offers an array of possibilities and opportunities in the global field. Sociology is a very important subject in our culture. Salem State sociology majors takea core group of classesthat form the backbone of the discipline. Sociology provides critical insight and perspective to the solution of social problems. If you do not allow these cookies, you will still see ads, but they wont be tailored to your interests. Ive never been someone who engrossed themselves in politics and it was mostly because I never really understood them to begin with. Got a spare 10 mins to make a difference? And none of them got any of the questions right because they were, in fact, impossible to solve. These are some of the many questions sociologists ask as they study people and societies. The sub topic in the study of sociology may involve one of the researchers who developed the theory. Sociologists at Nottingham Trent University worked closely with police to reduce crime through a method involving scanning for crime patterns. In addition, we would like to thank all colleagues at the two study centres who supported us in conducting this project. C. Wright Mills coined the term, sociological imagination which he used to describe the direct connection between societys larger events and the individual consequences faced by us. As a sociology major, most of the work for classes that I had to do involved writing. Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, Main: 609-896-5000 The study of societies is important as every society has their own unique characteristics and histories that define the lives of people that belong to them. I would get to sit in a cafeteria and take notes as I watched others walk by me, have intriguing conversations, and make gestures in order to find common patterns within the group as a whole. enable JavaScript in your browser. Social scientists help us imagine alternative futures. In the final section of the paper, we address where we need to go next and ponder what roles the wearer of these lenses, other than that of This essay will seek to explore into ten reasons why it is important to study sociology. The discipline utilized well defined methods of enquiry such as, observational method participant and non-participant observation, survey method, interviews, archival method, field research, experiments etc. Sociology enabled people to comprehend and learn scientific methods for studying society. Each theory can be applied to most aspects of life, in this case sexual assault. Every personal and social interaction we have, from the moment we are born to the end of our lifetimes, continue to have an effect on the creation of our individual identities. Here are ten reasons why sociology is an important field of study: 1. Sociology is important here because, it seeks to dissect the issue, understand the root cause and the external and internal factors that contribute to the problem; and only then proceed to find solutions. But it isnt enough to rely on the scientists. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. Let us know if you agree to all cookies. Majoring/minoring in sociology is useful for future jobs. Engaging in sociology offers career pathways in the fields of urban development and planning, public policy, nonprofit management, criminal and social justice, social activism, community outreach and many more. Sociology provides research skillsets that are both tangible and intangible, equipping the learner with a set of skills that can be used for most disciplines in their own respect research areas as well.