questions for sociology students

[socialhunts]

Hi,

I did not major in sociology before. I am wondering how much you (from sociology program) have learned or read before your application for the PhD program in sociology.

1) Could you give me a basic list of the books that you have read?

2) In terms of quantitative or statistical things, how much shall we master before the application?

3) Do you know where to find a summary of all the latest research findings on a particular sociological field?

Thank you so much for your answers. I do appreciate your help.

[DustSNK]

From what I have read it is rather unheard of someone with a BA not in sociology getting into a PhD program

BUT you could get into a masters program. If you have an MA already in a social science, you might have more

wiggle room. But if all you have is a BA, I would apply to some MA programs. You can always call the schools you're

Interested in and ask the graduate director what they think too.

Oh and generally programs like to see you did well in a theory,stats, and methods courses. If you can do all 3 of these in Soc go for it!

[doberman]

1) for theory, i like "the emergence of sociological theory" by turner very much. besides giving some basic idea of soc theories it also helps you to understand sociology. Grusky's "social stratification" is also a good collection which helps you to understand this major social issue. And merton's work is also important.

2)it is up to your specific interest. If you want to study demography, economic, population, you really should devote some effort on it. There is also some scholars study mathematical sociology. But for other field, it depends on how you want to study it, basically I just think it's tool . regression models, cross tabulations chi-squre stuff will be good enough.

[socspice]

It's not at all uncommon for non-sociology BAs to obtain sociology PhDs. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Read through Annual Review of Sociology. It's a yearly collection of lit reviews written by top scholars in their fields.

[Bonkers]

I have known plenty of people accepted into sociology doctorate programs without a previous degree in the field (but usually in another social science, though I used to be in a class with a woman who came from a hard science and she adjusted very well), so no worries there.

First, I am a bit curious as to why you would want to go into sociology if you have not read many sociological works. Or maybe I misunderstood and you did, but in very specific sub-fields?

Well, for the application I would suggest that you read up on sociologists that have done work in your area of interest, just so that you have a background for your proposed research project. Worry about reading the basics after.

Then, before the school year starts I would read up on the fundamental books/articles that are covered in all undergraduate soc courses: (1) Marx and Engels Reader --not the whole thing, German Ideology and Manifesto should be fine-- (2) Protestant Ethic and Capitalism by Weber (2) Suicide, Durkheim (3) Origins of Religion, Durkheim (4) Asylums, Goffman (5) Heat Wave by Klinenberg. In addition to the classics, I would also suggest looking into recent works--diversify with articles in networking, epidemics, qualitative and quantitative methods, etc. etc. etc.

Okay, good luck!

[socialhunts]

Thank you so so so much for all of your replies. I have a master degree in humanity, although I love social science. I took only a few sociology courses at school, so I want to catch up with the other applicants who are from sociolgy. That's why I want to know how much those people have learned and read at school, although I have read those classic sociological books.

1) Specifically speaking, I am interested in social networking, for example. Where to find how much has been developed in this field? I don't want to be seen as a student who is silly enough to state something that has been already studied.

2) Also, it seems to me that there is a trend that people with statistical background will be more welcomed. I got 800 in math, but I don't have that background. That's why I want to know how much people with that background have learned in quantitative things. How can I catch up?

3) Do you know how those people without a sociology background state the reasons why they are going to change their major during the application?

I do appreciate your help. Thank you so much for your time;)