Skip to Main Content

Sociology

Presents general resources for studying the social sciences, which investigate human social interaction, both individual and group.

Need research help? Ask us!

EMAIL:
library@reynolds.edu

CALL:
Downtown: 804.523.5211
Parham: 804.523.5220
Goochland: 804.523.5419

What is Sociology?

According to the American Sociological Association:

"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."

Source: https://www.asanet.org/about/what-is-sociology

 

Image by Flickr user Juska Wendland

"Social science" is a comprehensive academic term which covers all aspects of human social activity, both individual and group. The social sciences generally include the varied academic disciplines of anthropology, archeology, business, criminal justice, economics, education, gender and sexuality, geography, history, linguistics, political science, psychology, religion, and sociology.

Social scientists may use both the empirical methods of scientific research and the critical, interpretive analysis of the humanities.

This guide presents library resources, both print and online, to study the many fields of social science.