what is sociology?

Question

want to learn about the subject and decide if I want to take a course in this area

Answer 1

Sociology is the study of society and human social interaction. Sociological research ranges from the analysis of short contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social processes. The field focuses on how and why people are organized in society, either as individuals or as members of associations, groups, and institutions.

Someone working in the field of sociology is known as a sociologist. As an academic discipline, sociology is generally considered a social science and is somewhat young compared to other disciplines, having evolved in the early 19th century. However, there has been social studies carried out by scholars and philosophers at least as early as the time of Plato, thus making the field more or less established.

The word sociology comes from the suffix "-logy" which means "study of," derived from Greek, and the stem "socio-" which is from the Latin word socius, meaning member, friend, or ally, thus referring to people in general.

Because sociology is such a broad discipline, it can be difficult to define, even for professional sociologists. One useful way to describe the discipline is as a cluster of sub-fields that examine different dimensions of society. For example, social stratification studies inequality and class structure; demography studies changes in a population size or type; criminology examines criminal behavior and deviance; political sociology studies government and laws; and the sociology of race and sociology of gender examine the social construction of race and gender as well as race and gender inequality. New sociological sub-fields continue to appear—such as network analysis—many of which are cross-disciplinary in nature.

Answer 2

Sociology is a fascinating course, which, similar to psychology that studies how the brain, and hence, how a person acts, sociology studies how people interact within a culture, society, or neighborhood. You could learn why people buy the item that they see on TV instead of the one at the corner store for a better price. Or why people have the desire to outdo the Jones's next door by getting that big screen TV.

Sociology studies groups of people and how those groups ultimately influence the individual. Peer pressure, for example. I'm sure you have values and judgements, but how well do those hold up when you are with your friends? Sociology studies this phenomenom and how ideas can help change the group, or the group changes the individual.

A very exciting and interesting field with many job opportunities if you asked me. BTW, my major was biology, so I am not biased toward this, just interested.

Answer 3

Sociology is an academic and applied discipline that studies society and human social interaction. One useful way to describe the discipline is as a cluster of sub-disciplines (sometimes called fields) that examine different dimensions of society. For example, social stratification studies inequality and class structure; demography studies changes in a population size or type; criminology examines criminal behavior and deviance; political sociology studies government and laws; and the sociology of race and sociology of gender examine the social construction of race and gender as well as race and gender inequality. New sociological fields and sub-fields—such as network analysis and environmental sociology—continue to evolve; many of them are cross-disciplinary in nature. Sociological research provides educators, planners, lawmakers, administrators, developers, business leaders, and people interested in resolving social problems and formulating public policy with rationales for the actions that they take.

Answer 4

Sociology is studying about society scientifically. While physical sciences and Natural sciences are making experiments in labs Sociology as a social science has society as a lab. Social scientists are making experiments on people and their interaction and problems by making use of various techniques like observation, Questionnaire and interview methods etc. Even though making experiments on people is tough and accurate result is not possible, it is a interesting science.

Answer 5

Sociology is the study of society. Your local college/university should have your basic Intro to Sociology class available. Just ask them.

Answer 6

Social science. About society and all it's aspects. Have wide range of observation, since society - it's subject (unlike the subjects of natural sciences) is very hard for scientific explanations, it's wide, living with human beings as main factor of changing.

Answer 7

i took the course, then decided i liked it- a good professor can make all the difference in the world...

Answer 8

you should, it is very interesting and you will come out of that class understanding how society works in different cultures.

Answer 9

Social science. Try arts and science.

Answer 10

its about society, people, cultures, classes. I studied it & it was quite interesting.