Why is sociology not as useful as it used to be?

Question

Why is sociology not as useful as it used to be?

Answer 1

It is. You just have to know when, where, & how to apply it.

Answer 2

I love sociology but ..

Sociology questions society, and the thing about society is .. it is constantly changing and we all know trying to change society is as good as playing god. Eg. Issues on Multiculturalism some for and some against.

While sociology used to be useful during the early 20th century.. as there was notable change in society World War, Migrations/Emigration, Settler Nations etc.

21st century sociologist examines too much on our contemporary life in relation to pass theories.

Next thing I know by 09' I will graduate with a sociology major.. with a broader understanding of the society but with no definite answer.

Answer 3

While im not sure i actually agree with your assertion...heres how i would argue for it, if i were doing so:

Sociology arose in a timeperiod when the scientific method and "science" was really booming in approval in a wider audience than before. A lot of different disciplines believed they could model their study after the physical sciences, as there was a belief that they were somewhat similar. Taking the observable phenomena of the physical universe, and making similar law like statements about human social behavior, would have been incredibly enticing around sociology's inception. Likewise, in a period of immense social reform, at least with America, sociology had a lot of things that could be used or said for a variety of different ventures (both good and bad).

Now, we have sort of changed and matured as a discipline, perhaps at the expense of some widespread appeal. Youll find far fewer i believe who are willing to claim that we can scientifically make law like statements of human behavior, which was perhaps one of the appeals of the time. However for the more applied answer, i think in large part a lot of social sciences are going to perhaps been seen as less useful in the short term, simply because of the way the internet has revolutionized the way we communicate. Given that anyone can put a blog up and cite anecdotal evidence or opinion about their belief, it seems far less necessary for academics to take up positions about issues, for many people at least. This is simply because most people are going to want to believe that they can access as credible of information (or if not more credible in their minds) on their own.

Answer 4

Sociology classes on college campuses have turned into classes on how to blame "Whitey" for any disparity between people of different races, economic positions, geographical locations, or religion.

It's hard to take someone seriously when they have hidden themselves away in the world of academia for all of thier adult lives, occasionally poking thier heads out of thier ivory tower to rant about the savage inequalities of the world.

Answer 5

Oh I didnt know it wasn't ! Is been useful for me as it opened up my mind to a new way of thinking and discussing - I would have thought that is still useful.

Answer 6

Sociology, in the USA, was at its peak during the early part of the 20th Century at the University of Chicago.  Chicago, in those days, was the testing ground for new ideas, and the University brought together some of the finest minds on the planet.  In 1966 a very famous report was presented on the Saturday, before the 4th of July, in the New York Times.  It was called "the Coleman Report".  It was intentionally placed in the paper on this date as no one, especially the government, liked the results.  Even though the results were accurate.  Such happens to academics repeatedly.   Subsequent thereto Coleman was to become the most highly respected authority in the use of large databases, statistics, and social policy agenda.  Especially in the field of Educational Research.   Everyone who has ever been a student in the USA has responded to, and has been counted among, his surveys.  Sociology grew up at this time and is now a math intensive subject.  It is not for the faint at heart for to succeed at the very highest levels one needs not only several advanced courses in Calculus (not the elementary form given in college), but numerical analysis, statistical methodology (this means a degree in statistics), and the ability to manipulate LaGrangian operators, and such, at will.  Perhaps Sociology is more useful these days as one can take a B.A. or B.S. in Sociology and learn the rudimentary topics and good math skills simultaneously.  And then, in graduate school, actually contribute to the discipline and take an advanced degree in mathematics at the same time.  One would be surprised as to the outcome.  

Sociology may not be as useful in padding ones credit hours as it once was, but now, it is more useful in padding ones wallet.  There are many opportunities out there.

Answer 7

Because we are mutating and sociology can't keep up with all of the changes.

Answer 8

because it's based on an archaic observational science