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Sociology

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Sociology

Summary

Sociology is a branch of social science that involves the study of human social relationships, social behavior and the society, including its origins, development, organization, networks, and institutions. Students who gain an expertise in sociology know how to think critically about human social life, and how to ask important questions. They develop the skill of designing good social research projects, meticulously collecting and analyzing empirical data along with formulating and presenting their research findings. They also become adept at helping others understand the way the social world works and how it could be changed for the better.

Career Opportunities in Sociology

  • Research arena
    Sociologists do research on the problems and development of societies and the ways that humans interact. The research topics may include class, gender, race, social movement or any other related topic.
  • Social and community services
    Community agencies value employees with backgrounds in fields like sociology to address problems facing certain populations within society. Examples of jobs in this area might include: working in community development agencies, or environmental groups, and social service and nonprofit organizations benefiting juveniles, the elderly, and other special populations. Fund-raising or administration within these areas is also possible.
  • Criminal Justice system
    Criminology is the field where criminal justice and sociology meet. A degree in sociology may open opportunities for a person to get employed as a corrections officer, criminal investigator, parole officer, or also as court paralegal.
  • Education
    One with, a sociology degree may also choose to teach at the school level or at the college level after earning a PhD in sociology.
  • Governance and Public Administration
    Generally, sociologists make good public administrators as they can easily relate to issues involving caste, gender, power, race, language, race, ethnicity, organizational power and identity.
  • Media
    Sociologists, who have an expertise in understanding social relationships, social behavior and the society are in demand in this field because media reflects and influences the society and culture. One could work with advertising companies, publishing houses or as a public relations specialist. One can also consider becoming a journalist.
  • Corporate sector
    In the Corporate Social Responsibility Sector (CSR), sociologists are in demand to encourage activities relating to the protection of environment, welfare of the consumers, employees, communities, and other stakeholders. Pursuing a career in human resource manager is also a viable option. One may also be interested to work with marketing research agencies.

How to Pursue a Career in Sociology

Stream Graduation After Graduation After Post Graduation
path 1
Class XII with Humanities stream (can take sociology as one of the subjects) Pursue BA(H) Sociology for 3 yearsPursue Masters in sociology for 1-2 years in India or AbroadPursue M.Phil in Sociology for 2 years or/and Ph.D in Sociology for 3-4 years
path 2
Class XII with Science StreamPursue B.Sc Medical Sociology for 3 yearsPursue M.Sc Sociology for 2 years-
path 3
Class XII with Any Stream Pursue Bachelors in Sociology for 3 yearsAppear for UPSC Examination-
path 4
Class XII wih Humanities StreamPursue bachelors in sociology for 3 yearsMasters in Journalism-

Important Facts

  • No mandatory subject in Class XII.
  • Most of the institutes for post-graduation require bachelors in any field or Sociology or/and related subjects.
  • For Lectureship in Sociology, National Educational Test (NET) or Ph.D. is mandatory
  • Most Colleges/Institutes provide admission on the basis of Class 12th Percentage. Some institutes also conduct interviews.
  • Most colleges have eligibility criteria of minimum 60% aggregate marks in Class XII.

Leading Institutes

Top Sociology Institutes in India
College Location Website
Banaras Hindu University Varanasi www.bhu.ac.in
Hindu College New Delhi www.hinducollege.ac.in/acd_dep_description.aspx?id=12
Jamia Millia Islamia University New Delhi www.jmi.nic.in
University of Calcutta Kolkata www.caluniv.ac.in
University of Madras Chennai www.unom.ac.in
University of Hyderabad Hyderabad www.uohyd.ac.in
University of Jadavpur Kolkata www.jaduniv.edu.in
Aligarh Muslim University Uttar Pradesh www.amu.ac.in
B.J.B autonomous College Odisha www.bjbcollege.in
Bihar University Bihar www.brabu.net
Dibrugarh University Assam www.dibru.ac.in
J.D. Woman College Bihar www.jdwcpatna.com
Janaki Devi Memorial Collge Delhi www.jdm.du.ac.in
Jogamaya Devi College West Bengal www.jogamayadevicollege.org
Jesus & Mary College New Delhi www.jmc.ac.in
Top Sociology Institutes in the World
Institution Location Website
Harvard University United States www.harvard.edu
University of California, Berkeley United States www.berkeley.edu/
University of Oxford United Kingdom www.ox.ac.uk/
London School of Economics and Political Science United Kingdom www.London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison United States www.wisc.edu
University of Amsterdam Netherlands www.uva.nl
National University of Singapore Singapore www.nus.edu.sg
University of Toronto Canada www.utoronto.ca

Work Description

  • Formulate publications and reports containing research findings
  • Analyze and interpret data to understand human social behaviour
  • Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues
  • Collect data on the attitudes, values, and behavior of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents
  • Consult and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies
  • Design approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines
  • Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change
  • Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions

Pros & Cons of a Career in Sociology

Pros
  • Is a good subject for government examinations
  • Solid base for careers such as law, civil services, psychology, etc.
  • Can advocate social change and reform
Cons
  • Need to pursue masters
  • Highly competitive to get into a job
  • Initial pay package is low
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