What courses do you suggest? MSc Sociology

[yuliaa]

Hello ,

I have to choose my courses for the first term and i'm so confused,, some courses I'm really interested in but I want to make sure that I choose the right course that will add weight to my academic degree.

things to know:

1- I didn't do my undergraduate degree in Sociology so I have basic background.

2- I would like to go for Phd in Sociology later.

The courses I'm confused about:

1- Classical Social Thought

2- Cultural Theory

3- Politics and Society

4- Gender and Societies

I'm interested in the last two but think maybe the first two is very essential courses in Sociology.

What do you think?

[Willows]

I would take the first one. It's my opinion that a solid foundation in social theory will only help you as almost every school I've looked at has this as a required course in the PhD program. As for the rest, it's really your preference.

Do you have a grad adviser you could talk to? I would bring it up with him/her and begin building a relationship there, especially since (around here) they tend to be active professors in the grad program. In the long run, he/she may give you more insight to your program, etc.

[yuliaa]

I would take the first one. It's my opinion that a solid foundation in social theory will only help you as almost every school I've looked at has this as a required course in the PhD program. As for the rest, it's really your preference.

Do you have a grad adviser you could talk to? I would bring it up with him/her and begin building a relationship there, especially since (around here) they tend to be active professors in the grad program. In the long run, he/she may give you more insight to your program, etc.

Thank you very much for answering me .. I can see my advisor only after three days which is so wired especially that I need to register and the classes started. I decided to attend the four courses for one week then decide before the due date of registration and this is what most students at my school do .. but again,, I'm not very familiar with the sociology and need to know what course is a must .. One of the instructor said to us that "cultural theory" is a must for grad students but then I found out that he is teaching it so maybe he was not subjective? what do you think?

I will consider Classical Social Thought as you suggested , it's a optional course. Did you mean that it's required to get admission in the Phd program? or it's part of the Phd program?

I'm interested in the "Politics & Sociology" course because I'm thinking maybe I will write my thesis on Social Movement or some thing related,, but it's full unit which mean I have to study it for the whole year so i'm not really sure.

[Willows]

Most programs, if you look at their 5 year plan or whatever sort of plan they have, require a social theory course. So to directly answer your question, no - not required for admittance into the program in most cases. It's part of the program upon admittance (hence a background making your life easier). Although I do implore you to look at specific program requirements because they all vary. One program I was interested in required proficiency in a foreign language. I think cultural theory is important, particularly for my interests. I don't feel qualified to say that it is more important than a politics & sociology course if that fits your interests better, though.

Edited October 8, 2012 by Willows

[cogcul]

Generally, I don't think that what courses you choose are too important. But since you don't have a background in sociology I would also recommend taking Classical sociological thought. Theory is important in sociology since its such a dispersed academic field; these approaches are one of the things that tie the field together. Methods is another one of those If you can take methods this or the next semester I would recommend that.

Cultural theory may be very important at your university, but its not a very common title for a course, so it will not affect your chances for admission in other universities.

Lastly, if the courses you take can help you back up your statement of purpose, that might also be helpful. So choose classes you are genuinely interested in. In other words, I would definitely recommend politics and society, but then again, I don't know what other alternatives you have for the next semester or how committed you are to your social movements plan; so take my recommendation with a grain of salt.

[yuliaa]

Most programs, if you look at their 5 year plan or whatever sort of plan they have, require a social theory course. So to directly answer your question, no - not required for admittance into the program in most cases. It's part of the program upon admittance (hence a background making your life easier). Although I do implore you to look at specific program requirements because they all vary. One program I was interested in required proficiency in a foreign language. I think cultural theory is important, particularly for my interests. I don't feel qualified to say that it is more important than a politics & sociology course if that fits your interests better, though.

This is actually what i'm trying to do now, looking at Phd programs and check .. may I ask what is your interests? and why it's important to cultural theory?

[yuliaa]

Generally, I don't think that what courses you choose are too important. But since you don't have a background in sociology I would also recommend taking Classical sociological thought. Theory is important in sociology since its such a dispersed academic field; these approaches are one of the things that tie the field together. Methods is another one of those If you can take methods this or the next semester I would recommend that.

Cultural theory may be very important at your university, but its not a very common title for a course, so it will not affect your chances for admission in other universities.

Lastly, if the courses you take can help you back up your statement of purpose, that might also be helpful. So choose classes you are genuinely interested in. In other words, I would definitely recommend politics and society, but then again, I don't know what other alternatives you have for the next semester or how committed you are to your social movements plan; so take my recommendation with a grain of salt.

Thank you very much for answering,, you guys don't know how much it means to me ,, because I'm in total lost especially that I didn't meet my advisor yet.. I'm very interested in the Gender & Societies course and I think I got admitted to the university some how because of it as a women rights activist. The thing about the politics course that it's not covering the region that i'm interested in,, and mostly covering the labour party in Europe. I'm thinking of taking this course as a guest meaning that I will attend the classes and read the material without taking the tests .. while taking the Classical Social Thought and Gender class .. and this is mainly because the politics course is one year long and instead I can take two half unit courses instead of the politics course which may be better for my degree and also less risky for the grading.. I'm very interested in the subject though and will write more about it in the future especially in the topics like secularism and Political Islam etc.. but should I have the course in my degree to specialize in it later? I'm not sure

[yuliaa]

and yes ,, sorry for my bad english

[Willows]

This is actually what i'm trying to do now, looking at Phd programs and check .. may I ask what is your interests? and why it's important to cultural theory?

Cultural theory encompasses critical theory, which is an imperative if you're interested in women's studies/gender. Of course, that's my opinion, and someone else may have an equally valid counter point. I think it is the best choice to go with what your interests are, which is why I highly, highly recommend talking to someone who can advise you based on your past and future goals. I would email them even if you don't have an appointment for advising.

[yuliaa]

Cultural theory encompasses critical theory, which is an imperative if you're interested in women's studies/gender. Of course, that's my opinion, and someone else may have an equally valid counter point. I think it is the best choice to go with what your interests are, which is why I highly, highly recommend talking to someone who can advise you based on your past and future goals. I would email them even if you don't have an appointment for advising.

Thank you very much Willows ,, I can check with my advisor after two days.. Also I guess attending the first classes is giving a good overview.

[jogatoronto]

It may be too late for you to switch courses but if I'm right about what university you're going to then 'Gender and Societies' is a great course with an excellent prof. Ulrich Beck might lecture a few times in 'Classical Social Thought,' which I've heard is a treat.