Sociology and Anthropology

“History is, strictly speaking, the study of questions; the study of answers belongs to anthropology and sociology.”

  – W. H. Auden

What is Sociology? 

Society is a complex phenomenon involving a multitude of intricate patterns and behaviour.  Sociology is about the study of all aspects and levels of society. and can be defined as the systematic study of society and social interactions. The term was coined by Auguste Comte, a French sociologist traditionally known as the father of sociology in the early 19th century.

Sociologists research individual and social experiences to learn about culture as a whole.

Sociology as a subject plays a major role in enabling us to develop critical thinking and also helps us to understand our society as well as other cultures. Sociology helps us in studying society in a scientific way and helps in providing solutions for social problems. 

What is Anthropology ? 

Anthropology can be defined as the study of humanity from the perspectives of societal, cultural and biological evolution of Homo sapiens. In essence it is the study about what makes us human and distinguishes us from other species. Anthropologists try to understand the different aspects of human life and experiences. The study of anthropology is relevant as it helps us to interpret the present society through the study of past society.

“People keep asking how anthropology is different from sociology, and everybody gets nervous.”   

– Clifford Geertz

Careers in Sociology and Anthropology 

There are wide areas of private and public sector careers for students with undergraduate degrees in sociology because of their expertise in the understanding of human behaviour. The commonly chosen career paths are positions in government, academia, business or community service organizations. 

Sociologists study human society and social behavior by examining the groups as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations people form and their impact on individuals. Sociologists can find employment in government bodies and civil services, justice and law departments, human resources, hospitals, advertising firms etc.

Another popular choice is teaching, and Sociology majors often make their careers as Postsecondary Sociology teachers, Social Work teachers, Education teachers etc.

Therapy and counselling is also an option for sociology graduates. Popular choices include School Psychologists, Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapist etc

Graduates in this area can also work as Social workers with various organizations in both healthcare and charitable sectors. 

Also, having transferable analytical skills allows you to move between sectors, making connections between the different situations that you've studied and spotting patterns which makes sociology extremely good for a career in business too. Another option making a good fit for sociology is marketing where concepts of sociology such as social class and status are used routinely to target segments of the population. The subject can also be treated as a good basis for career in journalism.

Students with degree in anthropology can go on to become Anthropologists and Archaeologists. A few fields of specializations include Paleontology, Ethnology or Primatology. These professionals may find employment in zoos, conservation facilities, government facilities, museums, biotechnology firms, universities etc. The job involves both research work and field work in equal measures. 

Anthropology majors also make their careers in the field of teaching. Popular subjects include Anthropology and Archaeology, Sociology, Area, Ethic and Cultural Studies etc

Top Courses in Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology:  

The study of sociology equips us with analytical and research skills that in opens our way to a wide variety of career possibilities.

B.A. in Sociology/B.A.(Hons.) in Sociology: 

• BA Sociology: B.A. in Sociology is a 3-year UG degree program that teaches about social interaction, community, social hierarchy, and social relations, among other subjects. Students pursuing a B.A. in Sociology are immersed in the study of culture.

• B.A.(Hons.) in Sociology: The aim of the B.A. (Hons.) Sociology programme is to familiarise students with sociological insights, ideas, hypotheses, and various approaches to social change and social problems while also teaching them critical thinking skills through creative writing, statistics, research techniques, report writing, and field work.

BSc Sociology / BSc (Hons) Sociology

• The Bachelor of Science in Sociology: A bachelor's degree in sociology focuses on the study of culture and the social activity that is found within it. The research includes how communities develop, evolve, and communicate with one another.

• The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Sociology: In this course you'll dig into the most recent sociological research when exploring these pressing contemporary social issues.

Post-graduate Program

• MA in Sociology: is a two-year postgraduate course in sociology. This course focuses on a structured analysis of culture and its various mechanisms. Includes Religion and Society, Political Sociology, Economic Sociology, Sociology of Growth, Methods of Sociological Research, and other topics are covered in the MA Sociology curriculum.

• M.Sc. in Sociology: The MSc in Sociology is a one-year master's degree that focuses on sociology. Students receive excellent sociology research training, which requires knowledge of relevant theoretical methods, an understanding of how they are applied to substantive issues, and expertise in the use of major research techniques.

• M.Phil. in Sociology: Students in the M.Phil. Sociology programme learn about human culture and the different ways in which people communicate with one another. Students learn about The Fundamental Canon, Scholarly Writing, Reading Primary Studies, National Problems, Governance and Citizenship, Environmental Perspectives, Development Discourses, and other subjects.

• Ph.D. In Sociology: Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology (Ph.D. Sociology) is a Doctorate Sociology course. The study of human cultures, populations, and societies is known as sociology. Advanced courses in empirical methodology, statistical inference, and sociological theory are part of the sociology Ph.D. curriculum. Studying sociology not only helps to better understand human culture, but it also assists in the classification of human social behaviour.

Anthropology: 

Undergraduate programs

B.A. in Anthropology/B.A.(Hons.) in Anthropology: 

• BA Anthropology: is a three-year undergraduate programme that studies human behaviour and social being. It's a systematic review of sociocultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological research.

• B.A.(Hons.) in Anthropology: is an Under Graduate (UG) which can be pursued after class 10+2 or equivalent. It’s a three-year degree program and it’s concerned area is Humanities. Anthropology is made up of two words: Anthropos and Logy, both of which mean "human" and "study." Anthropology is a study of humans, according to its etymology. It studies human growth and development from a sociocultural, ecological, biological, and historical perspective.

BSc Anthropology/ BSc (Hons) Anthropology 

• The Bachelor of Science in Anthropology: It’s a three-year programme that examines the similarities and differences in human nature. It includes a broad variety of human characteristics, including history, organisational structure, and biological characteristics. Anthropology covers topics such as sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, and archaeological anthropology.

• The Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Anthropology: This course for undergraduates and is also a three-year program. The course involves both the study of human evolution and the study of human socio-cultural progress. The course also includes the scientific study of many branches of anthropology (Socio-cultural, Biological-Physical, Applied, Linguistic, and Archaeological) that deal with different aspects of human development.

Post-graduate Program

• MA in Anthropology: A significant number of colleges and universities offer a two-year postgraduate course in Anthropology. This programme offers an in-depth look at human evolution and socio-cultural progress. The course covers an advanced study of many fields of Anthropology, including sociocultural, biological-physical, applied, linguistic, and archaeological anthropology, all of which deal with different aspects of human development.

• M.Sc. in Anthropology: The MSc in Anthropology is a two-year post-graduate degree programme that studies human communities, traditions, evolutions, and the contributions of social reformers, among other topics.

• M.Phil. in Anthropology: The M.Phil. in Anthropology is a two-year pre-doctoral programme that requires a Master's degree in Anthropology from a recognised college or university or the equivalent test. Anthropology is a humanistic discipline with roots in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

• Ph.D. In Anthropology: A doctorate program in anthropology lasts for a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years. Social, cultural, and biological anthropology are all included in the PhD in Anthropology program. It discusses all of the social reformers' achievements.

Career Scope for Sociology and Anthropology:

Both anthropology and sociology as subjects are intellectually exciting and provide the students with a wide array of potential career possibilities. We, must always keep in mind our strengths, values, personality and skills and decide for the job that fits the best. The greatest benefit of these subjects is that with the help of them, one can gain a better understanding and base about human behaviour, social organization, culture and social change, thus enabling us to understand the increasingly diverse world.