WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?
Sociology focuses on life in groups; the social contexts in which people live. At the centre of the sociological perspective is the question of how people are influenced by their society; a group of people who share a culture and a territory, and in turn, how individuals influence the groups and society to which we belong. To find out why people do what they do, sociologists look at social location, where people are located in a particular society; their jobs, income, education, gender, age, ethnicity and race, as well as many other social characteristics.

Sociology is the study of human group life. Unlike political scientists and economists, sociologists do not concentrate on a single social institution. Unlike anthropologists, sociologists focus primarily on industrialized societies. And unlike psychologists, sociologists stress factors external to the individual to determine what influences people. To study people, sociologists use research methods such as interviews, questionnaires, field experiments and participant observation. (Adapted from Henslin et al, 2004)

Why study Sociology?
The practical value of taking a sociology course is that what you learn will never be irrelevant to your life, present and future. Each of us lives in the social world; each of us is influenced by others and hopes to influence others. Studying sociology will strengthen your ability to understand how the social world operates and what your place is in it. Whether your group life involves your family, your peer group, your work world or your ethnic group, sociology offers a way to understand your behaviour and that of your fellow humans. It will enhance your ability to act effectively in the social world. (Adapted from McIntyre, 2002)

Want to Know More about Sociology?
Contact the Sociology "Responsable" at Vanier College:
Shirley L. Pettifer, Tel. 744-7500 Ext. 7784.
Email: pettifes@vaniercollege.qc.ca

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