A subject that studies social relationships and institutions. sociology is in many ways a discipline that reaches the core of humanity.
The professionals that work in this field attempt to analyze and explain the things that matter to both individuals and society at large. An incredibly broad and diverse field, sociology spans everything from race and religion to crime and social class.
The 21st century has seen a rise in people enrolling in sociology degrees at university. This phenomenon begs the question: Is sociology hard? How does it compare to psychology? And is it worth studying?
In this article, we will attempt to break down and answer all of these questions.
Is Sociology Hard?
Sociology is not hard. Most people find sociology to be easy since it has a medium-sized curriculum, straightforward subject material, relatively simple terminologies, and almost no topics that are abstract or obscure.
Sociology does not have too many technical terminologies. Many of its concepts simply come from observation and analysis of everyday aspects of life.
Unlike other fields of study, the jargon in sociology is far more digestible. You can easily read a psychology textbook and understand a great deal of the material without external help.
The rate of completion of school courses and university degrees in sociology is a strong indication that it is easier than most subjects.
It would be very difficult for students to learn and analyze in detail all the various topics that exist in sociology like crime, religion, and social class. Therefore, students pick out one subject that interests them the most and dedicate their time and energy to it. This makes things much simpler and more enjoyable for sociology students.
Many people believe that a great deal of sociology comes from common sense. Sociology is all about taking common beliefs and legitimizing them through research, tests, and analysis. Applying logic and rationale to regular occurrences makes sociology a largely intuitive subject.
Contrastingly, physics concepts such as gravitational fields and quantum mechanics are not present in our everyday lives. The abstract nature of physics makes it so much harder than sociology. Due to this exact reason STEM subjects are considered to be harder than their humanities counterparts.
Sociology works best as a collaborative approach. Students and professionals work in groups, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. This is extremely important since sociology is not a mathematical subject where there is a single correct answer. Instead, having differing views is celebrated as long as you can back it with appropriate and relevant evidence.
The diversity of individuals helps contribute to a deeper pool of ideas and knowledge. This in turn makes it easier for people studying sociology to have a holistic view of things.
It is ultimately correct to say that sociology is an easier degree than STEM-based subjects, but this does not necessarily translate to the professional world.
Whether a sociology student goes on to become a social worker or research analyst they will be working in a high-pressure environment and be facing the same issues as any other professional.
Is There A Lot of Writing in Sociology?
There is a lot of writing in sociology. Reading, writing, and research skills are some of the most important skills to develop if you want to major in sociology. Writing is a great means of communication for advancing and sharing your views and backing your arguments.
Sociology majors tend to write lots of research papers, reports, and critiques as part of their degrees and in their professional lives. It is therefore essential to have a distinct and clear writing style that people can understand and react to.
Like many authors, several sociology majors have a signature writing style that readers can immediately identify and single out as belonging to a particular writer.
The English language is a core requirement for pursuing a sociology degree. You may also take one or more writing courses to become a better writer and communicator.
Is there a lot of Math in Sociology?
There is not a lot of math in sociology. Like in other humanities and liberal arts subjects, the math involved in sociology is quite basic and largely statistical. You will only have one or two math courses during the entirety of your undergraduate sociology degree.
Mathematics is one of the most integral subjects in a student’s educational journey. Mathematics is extremely important due to its use in nearly every single field of study and profession. However, most subjects require very basic mathematics.
Similarly, math has a role in sociology as well. Statistics is essential to research work in sociology. You need to be able to record and analyze data to bring legitimacy to your reports and papers.
However, if you are looking into studying sociology and are worried that your shaky math skills will hold you back you do not need to worry. The math involved in sociology is not advanced for it to be a cause of concern. Basic calculus, algebra, and statistics are sufficient to succeed in sociology.
Is Sociology Easier Than Psychology?
Sociology is easier than psychology. Psychology is considered harder than sociology due to inclusion of slightly more advanced maths, several biology topics, more complex concepts, and greater stress in the workforce.
Sociology and psychology are two distinct fields of study, however, many people tend to mix them up. Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Sociology on the other hand is the study of society at large and the different issues it faces from crime and social classes to health and security.
In simpler terms, psychology focuses on the individual whereas sociology on groups of people. As a result, there are significant differences in their respective curriculums.
There are several factors that make psychology more difficult than sociology.
The first is mathematics. Although sociologists study and use mathematics for their research, psychologists study math and particularly statistics in greater detail.
The second reason people consider psychology to be more difficult than sociology is the involvement of biology. Since psychology places great emphasis on the human mind, understanding the brain from a biological perspective is necessary.
The brain is a very complicated structure and learning about it requires a great deal of reading and memorizing such that even medical students find it difficult.
In the professional world, psychologists often face more pressure because of the sensitivity and responsibility associated with treating the human mind. This strenuous and delicate task can be mentally and emotionally exhausting.
Sociologists, on the other hand, research and discuss problems of a particular society and do not have to bear the burden of individuals.
Is Sociology a Good Degree?
Sociology is a good degree but not a great one. As a sociology major, you will develop several soft skills such as critical thinking, writing, and research skills. However, you will not be learning highly technical and marketable skills like other majors such as law, medicine, finance, or engineering.
Liberal art degrees, like sociology place a greater emphasis on critical thinking, open communication, research, and other soft skills. These skills do not have the same workmanlike quality in fields like engineering, law, medicine, or finance. These fields will always be in demand due to their necessity in society and their everlasting marketability.
Skills like critical thinking and open communication offer a huge amount of flexibility. Sociologists often go on to pursue a career in social work or research, but they also just as often branch out into fields like marketing, advertisement, and journalism.
These skills that sociologists learn give them a huge advantage in how they view the world. It makes them observe key details and understand societal patterns which is an invaluable asset.
It is therefore important to note that while employability in this field is not comparable to STEM majors it is still a good degree to pursue.
