About Sociology

Learning sociology is like learning a new language, although you are probably familiar with the concepts and issues central to the discipline. Thus our courses offer you a special challenge: learning how to analyze the concepts and issues objectively and scientifically, using logic, critical thought and evidence.
This new perspective will allow you to expand your understanding beyond the traditional individualistic and personality approach most of us learn while growing up, especially if you have spent most of your life in Western cultures. Understanding the permanency and power of social structure and institutions expands your ability to analyze human life. No longer are we simply just isolated individuals occasionally joining together in aggregates.
The sociological imagination that you will develop allows you to see the reciprocal relationship between greater social forces and individual lives. We create society and it influences us. We are society. We influence institutions. No longer are these entities simply abstract, all-powerful, and distant. With the sociological imagination, we become empowered to make changes and influence social life.

Sociologists apply the same research method used by all scientists but focus on specific research designs or techniques. Some designs are quantitatively-based, such as the survey, and lend themselves to demonstrating trends about relationships between social factors. Other designs are qualitatively-based, such as ethnographic field work using in-depth interviews or field observation, which paint detailed pictures of groups and social behavior.

Careers

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in sociology is a strong liberal arts major, and provides excellent preparation for future graduate work in the social sciences in order to become a professor, researcher or applied social scientist; prepares you for entry level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds; offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business or public administration, or any other field involving investigative skills and working with diverse groups; and constitutes a solid foundation for professions such as law, education medicine, social work, and counseling.

A Master of Arts (M.A.) degree or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in sociology enable a person to work outside of academia or within academia: professors, teaching in colleges and universities, advising students, conducting research and publishing; corporate, non-profit and government positions as directors of research, policy analysts, consultants, human resource mangers and program managers; practicing sociologists such as research analysts, survey researchers, gerontologists, statisticians, urban planners, community developers, criminologists, demographers; or specialized work in therapy, counseling, or social service agencies.

Additional Information

Continue your investigation with the American Sociological Association, where you can find out more about the field, student memberships, learning opportunities, conferences, workshops, and electronic and written references.

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