| Description: | Sociology is the study of our social world — of our social lives as individuals, of how people connect as members of various groups, of how societies are organized, and of how they change over time. As a sociology student, you'll consider the various options facing societies in an increasingly complex, specialized world. You'll also find yourself thinking about how you can influence and participate in societal change in a meaningful way.
Sociology is the intellectual discipline primarily concerned with understanding groups. We act as we do, consciously and unconsciously, because we are members of the groups that constitute society. Our discipline provides tools that are a basis for clear thinking and critical inquiry about social structure and social change. Sociology has produced its distinctive concepts, theories, methodologies and research techniques to use in making sense of the social world. Sociologists have developed and continue to debate multiple theoretical perspectives to bring social life and social change into clearer focus. These perspectives guide the quantitative and qualitative research methods that ground our thinking in evidence.
Sociology is a basis for being a well-informed citizen. Our social world has become complex and specialized. At the same time, our generation is using powerful technologies which will shape the world's future. Global economic, political and cultural changes are reshaping the human experience. In a present of multiple continuing revolutions, it is difficult to figure out the way forward and how to influence change. By applying the skills of the liberal arts to these challenges, the study of sociology can be a basis for understanding the choices our society is facing and for learning how to participate in making them.
|