Why sociology. A study guide for students in sociology

Presentation

1. Why everybody need Sociology
Sociology is the science of society and everything that
occurs within & between societies is of concern to
sociologists:
- If you want to study Economics, sociology will
teach you that all economic changes results in social
changes and vice versa. Economic factors greatly influ-
ence each & every aspect of social life & that each &
every social problem has an economic cause.. For the
solution of different economic problems such as infla-
tion, poverty, unemployment etc, Economists take the
help of Sociology & take into account the social events
of that particular time. Access to economic resources
is influenced by social forces.
- Interested in Law? Different people that you will be
representing come from various cultural and social
backgrounds. You need sociological knowledge for you
to understand their behavioral patterns & the social
causes & consequences of their actions! Knowledge of
the social environment is key in understanding the
functioning of the criminal justice system.
- You want Political Science? Issues of power, politi-
cal processes, political systems, types of government &
international relations all require understanding of the
social fabric. Government frames its rules, regulations
and laws on the basis of social customs, tradition &
values.
- Psychology need sociology as the human mind &
personality is being influenced by social environment,
culture, customs & traditions. Hence, psychology takes
the help from Sociology to understand this. To under-
stand human nature & behaviour properly, psychology
depends on sociology. There are many Psychological
problems which have social causes & consequences
Sociology Courses at UNZA
First year
SOC 1110: Introduction to Sociology
Second Year
SOC 2110: Contemporary Social Problems
SDS 2414: Research Methods in Social Sciences
Third Year
SOC 3110: Urban Sociology (Urban problems &
Management)
SOC 3210: Sociological Theory
Fourth Year
SOC 4114: Research Methods in Sociology

Electives: Open for Third and Fourth years

SOC 9010: Industrial Sociology
SOC 9110: Forced Migration & Sustainable Live
lihoods
SOC 9155: Disaster Management and Prepared
ness
SOC 9210: Social Change and Development
SOC 9255: Criminology
SOC 9415: Environmental Sociology
SOC 9510: Sociology of Organisations
SOC 9610: Rural Sociology & Development
SOC 9755: Sociology of Health & Medicine
SOC 9855: Policy, Projects and Programmes for
Development
SOC 9950: Social Impact Assessment
SDS 9210: Social Protection
SDS 9110: Human Rights & Development
SDS 9215: Participatory Planning, Monitoring &
Evaluation

- Interested in Demography? Sociology will tell you that
population changes are related to social changes: Population
growth depend on birth rates & death rates of which, birth rates
depend upon sexual intercourse which is determined by customs,
traditions & social norms. It will tell you the implications of
population changes on society.
- You want Gender studies? Sociology will teach you how
society influences our understanding & perception of differences
between masculinity and femininity. It will tell you how gender &
sexuality are social identities and how gender roles are social
constructions. Sociology will also tell you why social knowledge is
important in comprehending gender relations.
- Is it Development Studies? Studying development is one of
the fundamental aspects of sociology. Thus, a combination with
DS will enable you to investigate the practices & processes of
social change. Sociology will expose you to the cultural
foundations of development & with it, society. Our understanding
of society will enable us to come up with responsive development
interventions to improve it.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE TODAY!
CHOOSE SOCIOLOGY TO BROADEN YOUR
KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIETY IRRESPECTIVE OF
YOUR PLANNED MAJOR OR MINOR
YOU CAN STILL REGISTER …




FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, COME TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK & SOCIOLOGY ROOM
234

2. Studying Sociology
Have you ever wondered about the
effects of different political and
economic institutions on our lives?
How our gender or sexuality shapes our
experience? Why some societies fail to develop while
others are advancing? Why race and migration are
such enduring issues? Or how
health care and criminal justice
systems work? And what alternatives
have been proposed?

Studying Sociology will enable you to develop a height-
ened awareness of the importance of different ideas
and institutions in shaping our societies.

You will study:
● theories and approaches to
understanding different societies and
economic systems
● the ideas underpinning different
institutions and policies, including
in health, education, migration and
crime
● the experience and effects of
both gender and sexuality in the
contemporary world
● the rules, routines and interactions
that shape everyday life and identity
● movements for political and social
change at both national and global
Levels
● Development in all its dimensions and why some
nations are developing while others are not

What can you do with a Sociology degree?
There are many different areas in which sociologists
are qualified to work;

I. GOVERNMENT
AREAS
Social Statistics; Policy Analysis; Public Administration;
Research; Program Development and Management;
Human Services; Planning; Law Enforcement;

Studying Sociology

I. EMPLOYERS
Government Ministries and local departments and agencies
such as: Departments of Agriculture, Education, Com-
merce, Defense, Health and Human Services, Drug En-
forcement Administration, Community Development and
social services, Environmental Protection and Management
Agency, Housing and Urban Development, National Insti-
tutes of Health, State and local government etc.

II. HUMAN SERVICES
AREAS
Counseling; Case Management; Advocacy; Mental Health
Services; Programming; Administration
EMPLOYERS
Vocational services
Advocacy groups
Private foundations
Community service agencies
Hospitals and wellness centers
Insurance companies
Adoption and child care agencies
Educational information services
State and local government
Local branches of national non-profit organizations
Religiously-affiliated service organizations

III. CRIMINAL JUSTICE
AREAS
Corrections; Rehabilitation; Law Enforcement; Judiciary
EMPLOYERS
Correctional institutions
State, and local Government (especially law enforcement
agencies)
Court systems

IV. EDUCATION
AREAS
Teaching; Research
EMPLOYERS
Public and private schools
Colleges and universities
Adult education providers

V. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
AREAS
Research; Data Analysis; Market Research; Infor-
mation Sourcing
EMPLOYERS
Universities
Government agencies
Research institutes
Non-profit agencies
Community organizations
Private industries
Advertising & marketing firms
Consulting organizations
Information brokers
Public opinion research polls
Newspapers, magazines, news agencies

VI. ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
EMPLOYERS
Environmental advocacy groups
Waste management firms
Health agencies
Local planning agencies
Environmental periodicals
Consulting firms
Private industry
Regional, state, and local agencies

VII. BUSINESS
AREAS
Recruiting Management
Sales Marketing
Public Relations
Office Administration
Human Resources: Training and Development,
EMPLOYERS
Insurance firms
Retail stores
Banks
Staffing agencies
Manufacturing companies
Service industries
Non-profit organizations
Healthcare organizations