What Is Sociology? Understanding the Course, Areas of Study and What Students Learn in Art/Humanities

What Is Sociology?

Sociology is the systematic study of society and the relationships that exist among people, groups and institutions. The course helps students understand how individuals behave within society and how social structures, cultures, beliefs and institutions influence everyday life.

As a university programme, Sociology examines society from different perspectives rather than focusing only on individual behaviour. Students explore how families, schools, governments, religious organisations, communities, workplaces and other institutions shape people's experiences and interactions.

What Do Sociology Students Study?

The programme generally introduces students to the ways societies are organised and how they change over time. Areas of study may include social institutions, culture, socialisation, population, social inequality, community life, research methods and social change.

Students also learn how sociologists collect and analyse information about society. This can involve surveys, interviews, observation, questionnaires and other approaches used to investigate social issues.

Major Areas Covered in Sociology

• Social institutions and relationships
• Culture and socialisation
• Social groups and communities
• Population and demographic issues
• Social inequality and social stratification
• Family and marriage
• Education and society
• Religion and society
• Work, organisations and industrial relations
• Social change and development
• Research methods and data analysis

Who May Be Interested in Sociology?

Sociology may appeal to students who are curious about people, communities and the way society works. It can also be useful for someone who enjoys examining social problems, asking questions about human relationships and trying to understand why people and communities behave in particular ways.

The programme can help students develop skills in research, observation, critical thinking, communication, analysis and interpretation of social issues.

Understanding Sociology in Art/Humanities

For prospective candidates, it is important to distinguish Sociology from similarly named programmes such as Sociology and Anthropology. The JAMB admission brochure lists Sociology separately and identifies Covenant University, Evangel University, Federal University of Kashere, Plateau State University and Salem University under the course.

Candidates looking for Sociology under Art/Humanities should pay attention to the exact course and institution entry rather than assuming that closely related programmes have identical admission conditions.

For additional admission details, candidates should also check the admission document provided below.