What is sociology?

What is sociology?

Term coined by Auguste Comte in 1838.

The scientific study of human social behavior

Content + MethodsWhat do we mean by scientific?

What do we mean by social?

Sociology seeks to see…

…the general in the specific.…the strange in the familiar.

…individuality in social context.

--Peter Berger

Sociology asks…

What is the structure of this particular society as a whole?

Where does this society stand in human history?

What varieties of men and women now prevail in this society and in this period?

-C. Wright Mills

Sociology examines..

The Macro

From Global World Systems

The MicroHow we make meaning in every

day life

Sociology examines..

The inter-relationship between the two

Public Issues

Personal Troubles

Major topics in sociology

Socialization

Social inequality

Social institutions

Social change

Examples of sociological questions

How are our social institutions interconnected?

How are we shaped by the inequalities of our society?

How do politics affect what we know and our beliefs?

How are we socialized to become who we are?

Careers in Sociology

• Criminal Justice-• In corrections, rehabilitation, law

enforcement, the justice system, parole system.

• Business and Industry-• Advertising, Consumer and Market Research, Management of Non-profit

organizations, Human Resources, Training and Human Development,

Leadership Training.

Careers in Sociology

• Research and Planning-• Governmental and regional

planning departments, research firms, evaluation research, public

opinion research.• Government-

• Social Science Analysis, Census Bureau, other federal agencies, Administration, Policy Analysis, Personnel, Homeland Security.

Careers in Sociology

• Agencies• -Social Services, Mental Health

Services, Adoption, Child Care, Youth Services, Developmental

Disability Services.• Education

• Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities,

Administration, Alumni Relations, Placement Offices, Educational

Research.

Careers in Sociology

• Advocacy-• Environmental, Child Welfare, National

Policies, Victims Rights, Labor Rights, Community Organization.

• Communications-• Technical Writing, Newspaper and

Magazine Reporting, Public Relations.

http://www.bhsu.edu/Academics/ProgramsMajors/BehavioralSciences/Sociology/Careers/tabid/4810/Default.aspx