What is Sociology?

A brief Guide for Beginners

Warning: Sociology changes lives!

  What is Sociology?

Sociologists investigate and try to understand the social world and human behaviour within it.

They are particularly interested in understanding the ways in which society influences us as individuals and shapes our lives.

In studying sociology, you will be actively involved in exploring and asking questions about the society in which you live.

Studying sociology offers you opportunities to gain a greater understanding of society and make sense of your own experiences within it.

Sociology can be both thought-provoking and challenging because it forces people to rethink some of their common-sense views and assumptions.

In studying British society, you will examine the main social institutions and groups such as families, schools and the workplace. You will examine social issues such as crime, poverty, divorce, peer pressure, how social class can affect your life chances etc.

What sorts of questions do sociologists ask?

Has the increased popularity in rap music led to an increase in gun offences?

Why is teenage pregnancy on the increase?

Why is the divorce rate rising?

Are men and women equal in today’s society?

Why do young males commit more crime than females?

Are girls naturally passive and boys naturally aggressive?

How does the media influence us?

Is there too much violence on TV?

How does social class affect our education?

Is marriage no longer important?

What will you learn by studying sociology?

By the end of your course you will have learned a great many interesting things about society and you should have developed a range of important skills, which will be of great benefit to you in the future.

You will have learned to question and challenge common-sense assumptions.

You will look more critically at the evidence on which such assumptions are based such as tabloid newspapers.

You will have learned to evaluate ideas, research methods, statistics such as crime statistics, in terms of their strengths and weaknesses.

Through taking part in lively classroom debates about the society in which you live you will improve your communication skills .

Why Choose Sociology ?

Sociology is a useful subject for students considering taking A-level Sociology, Psychology or Health and Social Care.

Sociology is usually a compulsory subject in teacher training and nursing courses.

A wide variety of careers are available, however, sociology has particular relevance to careers in market research, management, social work, teaching, the criminal justice system, the police, child care, personnel and many more.

Sociology has relevance for most careers because you are learning about people and why there are differences between groups of people and most careers involve working with people in one way or another.

Warning: Sociology changes lives!

It sounds as if you are going to acquire some great powers – but do not underestimate the capacity of sociology to mess up your view of the social world! Sociology will allow you to look beneath the surface of the take-for-granted world in which you live. Studying sociology can change your life!

GLOSSOPDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT For more information see Mrs McGloin