A Brief History of the Sociology Major
Sociology, at its most basic, is the study of societies and enduring patterns of human interaction and behavior. The study of sociology can be traced back as far as the ancient Greeks. Sociological observations can be found in Western text as well as in the writings of non-European philosophers, such as Confucius. Throughout history, sociologists have attempted to understand the nature of human relationships. Their concern is to analyze and explain the way individuals or groups of people interact with one another. Sociologists also examine larger social institutions, such as businesses, governments, and other organizations. Sociologists are interested in all aspects of human interaction, from marriage and family to child-rearing and child abuse. Different cultures demand different perspectives. A sociologist may decide to examine conflict within an ethnic group or study classicism or inequality. Sociologists would study these behaviors and the factors that cause them and try to determine if there is a connection between behavior and influence.
Delving Into the Sociology Major
Many colleges and universities recognize the need for an online sociology program. In the past decade, more schools now offer online degree programs in this field. The curriculum may differ from program to program institution, but the overall goal is to equip students with tools necessary to become competent sociologists. The sociology curriculum will begin with a strong foundation in arts and humanities, such as the one from Angelo State University. Students will then proceed to social sciences. These may include introductory sociology classes, anthropology, political science, history, and philosophy. The course content for sociology will also include: linguistics, literature. Statistics is a key component of the sociology curriculum, given its empirical nature. To obtain a degree in sociology, students will learn research methods, which will teach them to pose questions related to society and learn how to gather research around the question. Aside from social research classes, sociology majors will also learn about established theories behind the field of sociology. Sociology majors will decide whether or not they want to focus on a specific area of concentration. Many programs will give students the opportunity to decide if they want to pursue a concentration for their sociology degree. Aside from general sociology, many institutions also offer sociology concentrations in American studies, international studies, social inequalities, economy and society, science and medicine.
Degree Levels:
Associate
The Associate of Arts degree provides students with a strong background in liberal arts and social sciences. Course content at this level will include classes in arts, humanities, history, and government. The purpose of this degree level is to give students a basic overview of the social sciences and prepare them for advanced sociology classes. They may be required to write reports analyzing human interaction within different social structures. Associate degree holders may take classes that are transferable to four-year colleges and universities.
Bachelor’s
The main purpose of the bachelor’s degree curriculum is to foster the mastery of social research methods and design. Focusing on the human aspects of organization, the bachelor’s coursework gives students the skills they need to understand communication, group behavior, ethics, decision-making, and many other human behavioral functions. The curriculum at this level allows students to be flexible with their degree and ensure that the education they receive match their career goals. Most programs will allow bachelor’s degree candidates to take classes towards their area of concentration. Graduates who have chosen to concentrate in sociology will have an excellent understanding of current issues in society and the sociological basis for them.
Master’s
Students who decide to pursue a master’s degree in sociology will gain thorough knowledge of human behaviors and social patterns. Coursework at this level may include the nature of legal process, reasoning and advocacy, political philosophy, international relations, empirical political analysis, and comparative politics. This master’s program is perfect for students who may be considering a career as a sociologist or continuing on to a doctoral program in sociology. Coursework includes a focus on methodology and observational research.A master’s candidates will hone the ability to think analytically and communicate sociological concepts persuasively. Graduates at this level may go on to gain employment in politics, journalism, law, and public service.
Doctorate
Doctorate degree holders immediately set themselves apart in the marketplace. The purpose of thie doctoral program is to help learners reinforce their knowledge and mastery of sociological theories. The goal is to prepare students to conduct graduate-level, policy-relevant research and deliver the results of this research in an academically rigorous thesis. The learning objectives of the bachelor’s curriculum is to help students to understand the research process, develop a compelling research question, design a research problem, select and employ appropriate research methods around the question. Doctoral candidates learn to assess facts, write and edit research reports.
Supplementing Your Sociology Major
Sociology is a versatile major that pairs well with other disciplines. With many facets and subfields, students can focus on one specific area of human interaction or work toward a concentration in general sociology. Students may prefer to study culture and social history, inequality and social policy, health and society, organizations and management. Others may opt to concentrate on structures of opportunity, urban sociology, international studies, or the sociology of families. Sociology overlaps with fields like religion, education, and psychology. Students can pair sociology major with a minor in religion or education. Sociologists are not restricted to one field. Instead, they delve in nearly every facet of life. Sociologists learn how businesses work. They study how human relations can help propel a business, a valuable skill in the workplace. Sociologists may decide to learn how poverty and education impact society, positively or negatively. Individuals who graduate with a sociology degree are well equipped with broad training and education in analytical, methodological, conceptual, and quantitative and qualitative analysis and research techniques. Their skills may be applied to a wide variety of jobs. As a result, many students who graduate with a degree in sociology will find work in niche areas with specialized titles, such as market analyst, research assistant, writer, and policy analyst. Sociology graduates with such research and analytical skills may land employment with government agencies, humanitarian establishments, and various non-profit organizations.
Learn More About the Sociology Major
- Best Sociology Schools
- Understanding Societies
- Introduction to Social Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
The Sociology Major in the Job Market
The job outlook for sociolgy majors is bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for sociologists and political scientists is expected to grow 21 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the need for public policy and research grows, employment opportunities continue to rise. Some sociologists may gain employment doing public policy research for consulting companies. Their knowledge of society may prove invaluable in sectors like marketing, advertising, and product development. With the incorporation of sociology research on the rise, their quantitative and qualitative skills may lead to employment with different governmental organizations and are perfect for election work and campaign strategizing. Sociologists may also find work conducting research for polling agencies or non-profit organizations or consulting firms. Those with doctorate degrees in sociology will find employment opportunities as universal faculty or authors in the field. Starting salaries for a bachelor’s degree in Sociology is on average $33,400 and a mid career average of $57,900, according to Payscale. The median annual wages of sociologists in May 2008 were $68,570. The middle 50 percent earned between $51,110 and $92,220. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $122,130. Median annual wages of sociologists in scientific research and development services were $72,170. In March 2009, the Federal Government’s average salary was $100,824 for sociologists. Actual salareis will vary based on region, level, and experience.
Careers I Can Get with This Degree:
