Is sociology an interesting subject?

I never studied it at A-level but I'm really interested in doing it. People say it's not too great a subject to do a degree in because it's better to do 'traditional' subjects, but I don't really buy into that because times are moving on and I think that attitudes and prejudices in academia should too.

So what do current students think of their sociology degree and where are you studying? Also, perspective students, what's attracted you to your chosen course? :smile:

Reply 1

infinityandbeyond

Like you i hadnt done sociology at GCSE or A-level but am in my second year at uni now studying it!

It doesnt matter about not having any knowledge, because the first year is totally introductory to the subject. I personally find different aspects of the course more interesting than others. there is the very theoretical aspects of sociology then various modules are convering things such as politics, and film. for one of my modules i have to consider race and ethinicity in film and tv and also a sociology and psychology linked module where u have to psychoanalyse someones life!

basically sociology is interesting as there are so many different areas that can be considered. i would recommend it.

i am studying at worcester uni.

Hope this helps :smile:

Reply 2

tis_only_meee

OP

7

Thanks for that, it was very helpful. It does sound like an interesting subject. :smile:

Reply 3

Truman

3

I dont study sociology at uni yet ( but i do it for A-levels) but id say if you think it looks like your thing go for it cause theres so much choice and variety within the subject.

For example at most uni's you could choose whether to study the family, the mass media, religion and sects/cults, research methods , crime and deviance, health etc.......

Theres so much variety that there must be something that interests you ( if your into social sciences).

Well thats my personal opinion............also you can get into top uni's to study sociology with ABB-BBB which is pretty decent.

Reply 4

Realist101

13

like all degrees, it will get boring at points.

Reply 5

-x-heather-x-

I did sociology GCSE and couldn't carry it onto A-level, but i love it! Going on to study it at uni- Just accepted leeds-BBC, and am really looking forward to it. I agree with the other people-some aspects of it are boring and that everyone will be interested in different aspects, as it covers a veriety of topics. You should really consider it if it's the kind of thing your interested, no matter what a-levels you've done as it ties in with most other subjects. :smile:

hope that helps

Reply 6

andy5788

14

Bear in mind you are only going to get positive responses here in virtue of the forum you posted in.

Personally, having read a little I'm fairly sure it wouldn't interest me. I also know several people who ended up taking open units in it because little else fit their timetable, and they hate it.

Likewise I know people who absolutely love it.

At the end of the day you need to do your reading to make sure its something that you would enjoy, no-one else can tell you that.

Reply 7

SugarExplosion

I do sociology at degree level and did it for A Level as well and I love it. All degrees get boring at points, but I haven't got there yet. I do 12 modules each year so I have 2 sociology module, 2 criminology & social policy modules, 2 social psychology modules, 1 british politics module, 1 british government modules, 1 communications & media module, 1 deviance & social control module, 1 sociological analysis module and 1 quantitative data analysis module. Like the course I do here because we do modules from all over (politics, criminology, psychology, sociology, media etc) so it keeps it interesting :biggrin:

Reply 8

hollyy13

8

im going to do sociology in september...in either birmingham or york...and im really looing forward to it! I hate people that say you should do traditional subjects and not sociology...if you enjoy something then go for it....you'll end up with a job you'll hopefully love if you do something related...rather than one you dont!
If you enjoy studying why and how society works and the different influences on society etc... then you'll love sociology...im sure it has its boring points...and its hard work points... but dont they all!

But if youve never done sociology before then def read around what the subject is about...to make sure your doing the right course.... but good luck if you do decide to study it :smile:

!

Reply 9

Vampyrcorn

14

Not that this should really affect your choice, but you will find a fair number of narrow-minded people at university who will mock your choice of course and claim that you are not doing a proper subject.

Reply 10

SugarExplosion

I got that at first until the peopl on my corridor realised I do actually have a lot of work. It all depends if you do your degree properly as such. I have a helluva lot of reading to do and probably do about 7, 8, hours of core reading a week and last semester I always had at least 1 essay on right from beginning of term. On top of that I have a lot of background reading and all my modules were 100% so there was a lot more pressure on me for my exams and coursework then for people on other courses in my block (chemistry etc) cause their exams, for example, were each worth 10, 20% so overall it depends how you look at it. In the end, your friends (who are the only people that matter) will realise that you're all there to do degrees that will help in your future and you're doing something you enjoy, so don't worry about it :smile:

Reply 11

Autumn Child

tis_only_meee

People say it's not too great a subject to do a degree in because it's better to do 'traditional' subjects, but I don't really buy into that because times are moving on and I think that attitudes and prejudices in academia should too.

If you're thinking about the currency of your degree once you graduate, then it does matter what people think, regardless of whether it is fair or not.
Somebody could complain that employers shouldn't judge their poor grammar
unfairly, but all refusing to give in to their prejudices might do is mean they can't get the job they want..

Obviously it's not the only factor, and you'd have to look carefully into how sociology is viewed, but I think that it's something to bear in mind.

Reply 12

pipedreams1

2

Sociology a A level has completely changed the way i see the world (in a good way).... i think it makes you a wise person. Im going to study it at Bath next year, so should you. Go for it!

Reply 13

unknown demon

15

I did it for A level, very interesting, links well with other subjects, my $0.02 is that I feel, this is personal, that it is a subject better combined rather than stand alone. But thats what i THINK.

Reply 14

Alan Smithee

Despite ignorant belief, sociology is actually a good subject. Well social theory at least.

It's conceptually difficult, so don't expect a free ride. It is also, nothing like the A level.

Reply 15

Collegegurl

1

one of the most interesting subjects u'll ever come across
i'm doining it (alevels) and gets more and more interesting by the day

Reply 16

love_mojitos

2

Truman said '....For example at most uni's you could choose whether to study the family, the mass media, religion and sects/cults, research methods , crime and deviance, health etc.......' Well thats *******s. You learn them subjects at A level AQA Sociology.
At degree level you cant comment on what you will learn as Uni's decided what they teach so you need to look at the Uni's prospectus.
I am in my second year and I have learned nothing of the above. I can also not tell you what I am learning as I am very confused. I do six modules and one has been on Politics, one will be on research methods and a few theory based ones. I honestly do not know how what I am learning fits into 'Sociology.
You dont need to do Soc at A level and I think it may help as myself and a coursemate had a different ideas to what A level versus degree level Sociology is.
How is Sociology not a traditional subject??? I dont understand how people can say that when there have been great writers for years! Its not like we are doing a module in International culnery affairs with foot woreshiping (I made that up). Sociology is taught at every 'good' which includes Cambridge and Oxford.
By the way, I hate my degree, want to change!

Reply 17

hedkandi1984_21

I am doing sociology as part of my Access to Higher Education course, and I will be doing it in September at Plymouth as a degree. I really enjoy it because it links really well with subjects like politics, culture and the media. It's really interesting because its very relevant to the way people are today and the way we do things. Also, when you've finished it, there are so many careers open to you, from management to sociological research!

Reply 18

Mathemagician. Funny?

Becky_Sheffield

Truman said '....For example at most uni's you could choose whether to study the family, the mass media, religion and sects/cults, research methods , crime and deviance, health etc.......' Well thats *******s. You learn them subjects at A level AQA Sociology.
At degree level you cant comment on what you will learn as Uni's decided what they teach so you need to look at the Uni's prospectus.
I am in my second year and I have learned nothing of the above. I can also not tell you what I am learning as I am very confused. I do six modules and one has been on Politics, one will be on research methods and a few theory based ones. I honestly do not know how what I am learning fits into 'Sociology.
You dont need to do Soc at A level and I think it may help as myself and a coursemate had a different ideas to what A level versus degree level Sociology is.
How is Sociology not a traditional subject??? I dont understand how people can say that when there have been great writers for years! Its not like we are doing a module in International culnery affairs with foot woreshiping (I made that up). Sociology is taught at every 'good' which includes Cambridge and Oxford.
By the way, I hate my degree, want to change!

It's not considered as a traditional subject because (correct me if I'm wrong) it hasn't been around as long as subjects like maths and english. It's generally frowned upon by universities because it's considered as an "easy" A-level eventhough (although I haven't done or plan to do it) it probably isn't. Are you sure Oxford do sociology?

Reply 19

white_haired_wizard

16

Becky_Sheffield

Truman said '....For example at most uni's you could choose whether to study the family, the mass media, religion and sects/cults, research methods , crime and deviance, health etc.......' Well thats *******s. You learn them subjects at A level AQA Sociology.
At degree level you cant comment on what you will learn as Uni's decided what they teach so you need to look at the Uni's prospectus.
I am in my second year and I have learned nothing of the above. I can also not tell you what I am learning as I am very confused. I do six modules and one has been on Politics, one will be on research methods and a few theory based ones. I honestly do not know how what I am learning fits into 'Sociology.
You dont need to do Soc at A level and I think it may help as myself and a coursemate had a different ideas to what A level versus degree level Sociology is.
How is Sociology not a traditional subject??? I dont understand how people can say that when there have been great writers for years! Its not like we are doing a module in International culnery affairs with foot woreshiping (I made that up). Sociology is taught at every 'good' which includes Cambridge and Oxford.
By the way, I hate my degree, want to change!

Sociology draws from many disciplines, politics, history, psychology (often it being social psychology), philosophy....

what do you think Sociology is or should be then???

Is sociology an interesting subject?

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