Scope of Sociology | Eligibility, Top Colleges, Career Opportunities

The scope of any subject means its subject matter or the areas of study. Each subject has its own boundaries, and knowing this is very important to studying the subject. To put it in simple words, what you have to study in a subject is known as its scope. Each subject has its own predefined scope of the study. We have discussed the scope of a few subjects, the link to which has been given in the article below. In this article, we will be talking about the scope of sociology. As this subject is a science in itself, it has a scope of study. So let us understand what sociology means and then head over to the scope of sociology. Candidates can also find information about eligibility, career options, and the best colleges for the course.

Sociology

Sociology is the study of human social relationships and groups. The subject matter is very vast and diverse, ranging from religion to crime, from the state to the family, from social class and division of race to shared cultural beliefs, and from a radical change in society to social stability. The subject provides an understanding of how and why society functions, along with the impact of social institutions on individual lives. Sociologists understand how gender, race, class, age, ethnicity, and geographic region affect access to scarce resources like wealth, income, prestige, and power as they explore the nature and process of the social institutions.

Scope of Sociology

Every science has its own field of inquiry. It is difficult to study science without knowing its boundaries precisely. As sociology is a social science, it has its own scope and boundaries. But there is no one determining the scope of sociology. However, there are two main schools of opinion about the scope of sociology. They are

• The Specialistic or Formalistic School
• The Synthetic School

There is a lot of controversy between the thoughts of each school. We have given the details of each below. You can read up the opinion of both schools on the scope of sociology.

1. The Specialistic or Formalistic School

George Simmel, Vierkant, Max Weber, Von Wiese, Small, and F Tonnies are the supporters of this school of belief. They say that sociology is a pure, specific, and independent science. Therefore, the scope of sociology must be limited.

2. The Synthetic School

Sociologists like Durkheim, Ginsberg, Comte, Sorokin, Spencer, F Ward, and LT Hobhouse are the supporters of this school of belief. They believe that sociology is very closely related to all other social sciences and is a synthesis of social sciences. Hence, the scope of sociology must be vast.

See the difference in the beliefs of both the schools? They are poles apart. Due to this, there is no one defined scope of sociology yet. If you are still keen on the subject, you can find all the relevant details below.

<<<ALSO READ: SCOPE OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS>>>

Eligibility for Sociology – Academic and Career

To be eligible to study or find a job that falls under the scope of sociology, candidates must fulfill certain eligibility criteria. Only then can you pursue an education/ career in sociology.

• Candidates who have passed 10+2 in the arts stream
• Candidates who have passed a Bachelor’s degree in sociology

To study sociology as a subject, the candidate must have passed 12th or equivalent in the arts stream. To find a job in the field of sociology, candidates must have passed a Bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Top Colleges in India that Offer Sociology Course

As the scope of sociology is so vast, more and more candidates are attracted to it. After studying, they have a wide range of career options to select from. This is very important to the youth today. For this reason, many colleges in India have started offering the course. We have listed below the top colleges in India that offer sociology as a course/ subject of study.

• University of Madras
• University of Pune
• Banaras Hindu University
• University of Hyderabad
• University of Rajasthan

Top Colleges Abroad that Offer Sociology Courses

Sociology is not just in demand in India, but all across the world. And we understand that a lot of candidates prefer studying abroad. So we have made a list of the best colleges abroad that prepare you for a job that falls under the scope of sociology.

• University of Cambridge
• University of Bristol
• New York University
• University of Essex
• University of Michigan

<<<ALSO READ: SCOPE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING>>>

Career Opportunities that fall under the Scope of Sociology

If you are keen on a career in sociology, you must know that the options are limitless. One can find a job in various sectors. These include employment at research institutions, law firms, public health, welfare organizations, private businesses, international agencies, medical firms, educational institutions, advertising firms, survey and polling organizations, journalism, etc. If you have a bachelor’s degree in sociology, then you can get a job as a social researcher, caseworker, paralegal, administrator, public relations worker, community organizer, public policy researcher, and data analyst.

If you are wondering what job roles are included in the scope of sociology, have a look at the list below.

• Sociologist
• Office Administrator
• Community Organizer
• Professor
• Lecturer
• Consultant
• Counselor
• Urban Planner

Hope this article has helped you find all the information you were looking for about the Sociology scope. In case of any queries, drop a message in the comment section below. If you like this content, make sure to visit our page regularly and also subscribe to our YouTube channel.