Sociology- theories, career, and more

A simple definition of sociology is studying how the organization of society comes into place and how we experience life. Many sociological ideas, such as ‘moral panic’ and charisma, are now mundane in their usage. Let’s dive into sociology and its different theories and concepts.

What is sociology?

Sociology is the study of human social relationships and establishment. Sociology’s subject matter is distinct, varying from crime to religion, from the family to the state, and from the divisions of race and social class. Also, they include shared cultural values that range from social stability to radical social change.

Blending the study of these distinct subjects is sociology’s purpose of perceiving how human action and consciousness shape and how the surrounding cultural and social structures play a part in shaping them.

Why study sociology?

Sociology is a fascinating and enlightening field that examines and explains essential issues in our personal lives, communities, and the world. Sociology studies the social causes and consequences of love, racial and gender identity, family issues, and deviant behavior. It also examines aging and religious faith on a personal level. 

Sociology is the study of phenomena such as population growth and migration, war and peace, and economic development on a global scale. 

Sociology investigates and explains issues such as crime and law, poverty and wealth, prejudice, and discrimination. It also studies schooling and education, corporate entities, urban communities, and social movements at the societal level. 

Studying sociology as an undergraduate program is an excellent way to prepare for entry-level work or graduate school in various fields. Recent graduates have found employment in social policy, law, criminal justice, social science research, human resources, and organizational and non-profit management. Also, students find job opportunities in education, environmental policy and research, advocacy, and social work. 

Students who want to further their education at the graduate level have successfully enrolled in law school, business school, social work, and public policy graduate programs, as well as pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology. The Sociology degree provides a wealth of opportunities and an excellent introduction to American society, social science research and demography, and global issues.

Types of sociological theories

Many sociology theories have significantly contributed to our understanding of societies, relationships, and social behavior. Let’s take a look at the ideas.

The Symbolic interaction theory of sociology

The symbolic interaction perception, also known as symbolic interactionism, is a primary theoretical framework in sociology. This viewpoint focuses on the symbolic meaning individuals form and relies on during social interaction.

Conflict theory

Conflict theory emphasizes the importance of coercive power in forming social order. The theory finds its basis in Karl Marx’s ideas about dividing society into groups competing for social and economic resources. Domination maintains social order by concentrating power in the hands of those with the most political, economic, and social resources.

Functional theory

One significant theoretical approach in sociology is the functionalist perspective, also known as functionalism. It derives from the works of Emile Durkheim, who was particularly interested in how one can achieve social order and society can remain relatively stable.

Feminist theory of sociology

Feminist theory is one of the foremost contemporary sociological theories that examine men’s and women’s social status to improve women’s lives. Feminist theory is most concerned with giving women a voice and emphasizing the various ways in which women have made contributions to society.

Structural strain theory

Robert K. Merton developed structural strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. The structural strain theory attributes the origins of deviance to tensions caused by the disparity between cultural goals and the means accessible to achieve those goals.

Careers in sociology

Studying sociology entails a constant interplay between societal concerns and societal concepts and theories. it is an effective means of intellectual development in an undergraduate degree or other programs of study because it necessitates the need to reason and critically analyze the workings of society.

Graduate entry into management

Large corporations hire graduate management trainees depending on their current needs. The intake for any given company may vary from year to year. Most companies wish to represent themselves when colleges and universities hold career fairs. There is evaluation of other courses despite the tremendous growth in business studies degrees.

Many potential employers recognize that a sociology degree combines the development of reasoning and critical thinking skills with knowledge of society and its workings.

Civil Service and Local Government Service

The many branches of the civil and local government service are too numerous to list here. Still, career information will feature prominently in all other prospective employers competing for the best graduates when the time comes.

Sociology is appealing because it is a society with which these various government agencies deal daily.

Research

The expansion of large organizations has increased the number of jobs associated with long-term planning and calculating the consequences of alternative policies. Sociologists are in high demand in groups of specialists working in the public and private sectors to analyze current trends and forecast the future. Most sociology degree programs include statistics training, making them excellent preparation for such a career.

Social work

Social work assists people in living more satisfactorily within their communities by helping them find solutions to their problems. To be successful, social workers must collaborate with clients, their families and friends, and other organizations such as the police, the NHS, and schools.

Key takeaways

• Sociology is an insightful and intriguing field that investigates and explains essential issues in our personal lives, communities, and the world.
• Undergraduate studies in sociology are a fantastic way to prepare for entry-level jobs or graduate school in various fields.
• Careers in sociology are exceptional. Students can work at great organizations and also contribute to a good cause.
• Sociology allows students to choose social work as a career and guide people to do the right thing.

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FAQs

Q1. Who is the father of sociology?

Answer- Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, is the father of sociology.

Q2. Is sociology a good career option?

Answer- Yes, sociology is a viable undergraduate major for many students. Over the next ten years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% job growth in life, physical, and social science professions.

Q3. What are the highest paying jobs with a sociology degree?

Answer- Human Resource Manager, Public Relations Specialist, and Market Research Analyst are some of the highest paying jobs.