Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to global communities; from deviance to organized crime; from religious traditions to state institutions; and from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture.
Sociologists on Sociology
The video below highlights the unique contributions of sociology to the understanding of today’s most divisive issues. Sixteen sociologists speak briefly to the need for and impact of their discipline. “Sociologists on Sociology” is a primer on a discipline that studies many of the major issues confronting American society. As one featured sociologist puts it: “So much of what is going on with our political climate and the rhetoric right now is all about talking about individual people or individual communities. The reality is that these are collective problems that have structural bases.”
