What is Sociology and Why We Study it - Essay Example

What is Sociology and Why We Study it Introduction We are all living in the society in individual roles as well as within the group with or without knowing about the society and the elements and their interactions among one another in the society. The society in which we live consists of a large number of groups/elements, which have a large bearing on the way we behave and live. But, little is understood by many about the significance of studying and understanding of society and its elements. To keep informed and influence the people for a better and socially conscious life, a new branch of knowledge has evolved over the years known as Sociology, which is a part of Social Science. "The term 'sociology' was first coined by Canadian sociologist Talcott Parsons in the late seventeenth century to refer to any study into the systematic behavior of humans, animals or plants. The discipline became established in academic departments in the late 1950s, beginning at the University of New Orleans" (Fundamentals of Sociology). The Study of Sociology is important to understand social structures, social systems and social issues, which are peculiar to each society and country. Further, the need for a proper understanding is compounded since individual behavior is largely influenced and shaped by social elements and its interaction with him/her. The present essay is an attempt to review the fundamentals of sociology and to stress how relevant the study of sociology is in the practical life of individuals. Meaning and Definition In simple terms sociology refers to the study of human society. It involves the examination of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociology as a body of knowledge provides a critical and systematic understanding of the processes that structure the society in which we live. A sociologist looks an individual as a part of the group and the study of individual is always done in that perspective. Therefore, the study of sociology enables individuals to understand the nature of patterns in groups and collective life in which individuals are a part of, for example families, youth cultures, workplaces, ethnic communities or society as a whole. As a discipline, it tries to address questions like how society is made possible, how it functions, and what sustains it. To understand how society operates, one must study social elements such as the family, education, work, religion, and the state. The term 'sociology' has been defined by many authors in different ways, some of which are discussed below: 1. Anthony Giddens (Defining Sociology) defines "Sociology is the study of human social life, groups and societies. It is a dazzling and compelling enterprise, having as its subject matter our own behaviour as social beings. The scope of sociology is extremely wide, ranging from the analysis of passing encounters between individuals in the street up to the investigation of world-wide social processes". 2. In "The Complete A-Z Sociology Handbook" (1996) Tony Lawson and Joan Garrod - define sociology "is the study of individuals in groups and social formations in a systematic way, which grew out of the search for understanding associated with the industrial and scientific revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries. It is now an established discipline in post-16 education and has offered generations of students' insights into the social world they inhabit. Often accused by the right of being left-wing, it includes individuals of every political opinion who are united by a commitment to search for knowledge and understanding through providing evidence for the theories and insights they offer". 3. American Sociological Association (Defining Sociology) defines Sociology "is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behaviour. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behaviour is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports. Sociology provides many distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and critiquing the old. The field also offers a range of research techniques that can be applied to virtually any aspect of social life: street crime and delinquency, corporate downsizing, how people express emotions, welfare or education reform, how families differ and flourish, or problems of peace and war". History of Sociology Among the various social sciences including economics, political science, anthropology, history, and psychology, sociology is a rather new academic discipline. However, the root of sociology has a long history and dates back to the common human knowledge and philosophy. Sociology as a scientific discipline emerged in the early 19th century as an academic response to the challenge of modernity: as the world was becoming smaller and more integrated, people's experience of the world was increasingly atomized and dispersed. The first book with the term 'sociology' in its title was The Study of Sociology (1874) by the English philosopher Herbert Spencer. In the United States, Lester Frank Ward, described by some as the father of American sociology, published Dynamic Sociology in 1883 and the discipline was taught by its own name for the first time at the University of Kansas, Lawrence in 1890 under the course title Elements of Sociology (the oldest continuing sociology course in America). The Department of History and Sociology at the University of Kansas was established in 1891and the first full fledged independent university department of sociology was established in 1892 at the University of Chicago by Albion W. Small, who in 1895 founded the American Journal of Sociology. Relevance of knowing sociology The importance of knowing sociology and its theories cannot be overemphasized in the modern society. The knowledge about sociology can help us solve many contemporary issues in society ranging from family issues to some diplomatic issues of the country such as war. The study of sociology opens up our eye towards the fellow beings and enables us to have a different approach towards the society than what usually have. When we learn our societies, we would be able to know how their actions affect our quality of life and how to deal and interact with other individuals and groups. Further, when we study different societies at a time, it helps us understand how different societies evolve, interact, transform, or merge. In the book of May Tim and Zygmunt Bauman, "Thinking Sociologically" emphasis the need for looking at the society and inhabitants sociologically and thinking from the perspective of a sociologist. He opines that "understanding is the core of social life" and for proper understanding, the knowledge about sociology is important. Conclusion Sociology is a distinct area of knowledge and is developing to acquire more and more insights in it. The theories of sociology cannot be applied as such in similar situations, but require slight changes in the light of the nature of situation and people involved. The study of sociology is of immense help to the human kind and is gaining popularity as an important social science. Experts view sociology in different perspectives and have defined it in their own way resulting in as many definitions as there are authors. References 1. Defining Sociology. Viewed 7 December, 2008, 2. Fundamentals of Sociology. University of Bridgetown. Viewed 7 December, 2008 3. May Tim and Zygmunt Bauman (2001). Thinking Sociologically. Blackwell Publishing. Read More