What is Sociology?
Sociology is the study of human behaviors as they are affected by social interactions within groups, organizations, societies, and the planet. The social interactions studied may involve two people or thousands; they may be recalled interactions (an adolescent recalling peers making fun of his or her height) or imagined interactions (a person projecting reactions from family and friends upon telling them he or she has joined the U.S. military). Sociologists are compelled to study social interactions, whether they occur on a local, national, or global scale. Such interactions include a student consulting with a college financial loan officer about how to pay for college; the human effort involved in mobilizing a security force to check passengers and luggage moving through U.S. airports and the coordination of human interactions in ten or more countries to make and deliver a bottle of apple juice.
Needless to say, sociologists do not simply describe the interactions; rather, sociological methods, concepts, and theories compel sociologists to ask questions that challenge or cast a new light on the “reality” before our eyes. Such questions include these: Why is something as simple as making apple juice an international and not a local effort? What are the expected and unexpected consequences of airport surveillance? How does the U.S. system of financing higher education shape the nature of education?
Why study Sociology?
Sociology offers a useful perspective for thinking about what is going on in the
world and what may be happening within ourselves. The perspective allows us to
locate personal successes, failures, and fate in a broader social context and
become aware of the many individuals who share (or do not share) our situation.
The discipline offers a framework for recognizing, analyzing, and
addressing critical
social issues. In addition to the personal and social benefits of studying and
applying sociology, a major or minor in sociology or even a series of sociology
courses can lead to many careers.
What is the Mission of the Sociology Program at NKU?
What career paths can sociology students follow?
People who majored
in sociology work in corrections, banking, social services, community work,
business, health services, customer service, publishing/journalism/public
relations, human resources, parole officers, hospital administrators,
marketing, survey research, government, and teaching. In addition, sociology
majors go on to graduate school in a number of disciplines and professions,
including sociology, law, business, and education.
Because sociology
is not connected with a specific occupation (such as an accountant or a
psychologist), sociology students must be able to explain to their parents,
relatives, and employers the usefulness of the courses and degree. When
employers, parents, friends, and other outsiders to the discipline of sociology
ask, “Why did you major in sociology?” or “Why take sociology classes?” the
reply must be convincing. Responses such as “I like people” or “sociology is
about people, and I want to work with people” are too vague and will lead to
puzzled looks and responses such as “So what can you do with that kind of
degree?” Replies should point to the distinctive aspects of the sociological
perspective.
Sociology is a
discipline that looks beyond the individual to study human behavior as affected
by social interaction in the context of groups,
organizations and societies. The sociological perspective, with its focus on
interaction, informs decision making. This approach is valuable because most
work-related tasks and issues revolve around successfully coordinating
interactions among employees, clients, consumers, suppliers, and other
interested parties. In particular, a degree, minor, concentration, or strong
interest in sociology will give you the following distinct analytical skills:
To identify and project population trends, including those of birth, death,
migration, marriage, divorce, and family size.
To appreciate and consider viewpoints other than your own.
To use the methods of social research to recognize and provide useful
information.
To collect information via interviews, questionnaires, observation, case
studies, secondary data analysis, and content analysis, and to analyze the
results.
To avoid using superficial knowledge or personal bias as a basis for making
decisions and recommendations that affect others.
To anticipate the intended and unintended consequences of corporate,
government, or other policies, practices, and technologies.
Sociology Program at NKU
The sociology program provides undergraduate students with an understanding of concepts and methods of the scientific study of society and social relations.
Sociology is both a perspective, or way of viewing society, and a set of techniques for seeking answers to questions about social behavior.
Courses acquaint students with both aspects of the discipline.
The program seeks to develop students' ability to observe and think critically about their own and other societies and to become more sensitive to behavioral and value differences among people.
Contact the Sociology Program at NKU