How to Map the Social Landscape Readings in Sociology
A person who wants to read and gain an appreciation of sociology should create their own introduction to the discipline. An introductory approach will help a person appreciate the basic concepts of sociology without being bogged down by complex, academic readings. To appreciate the sociological literature, a person needs discipline in following their own syllabus that maps out the essential literature in sociology. By doing this, the person will be able to build upon their introductory knowledge and finalize a general understanding to the tenants of sociology by the end of a pre-determined date.
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Instructions
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Prepare yourself to learn the many aspects of sociology. Sociology, as a study, studies the societal landscape around individuals. Sociology helps people understand social units like friends, religious communities, families, race, gender, sex, class, nationality, geographic location, artistic taste and political persuasions. An introductory approach to sociology must appreciate all of these aspects and more.
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Plan a syllabus. To keep yourself up to date with material, you should discipline yourself to follow a schedule for your reading. Write down a basic time frame, such as reading 100 pages of a book by the end of the week. Try to do this each week. You may also want to time this academic enrichment, such as how many weeks or months you want to be studying these works.
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Research books that would be read during this time. Sociology has a number of textbooks and literature that is often read in introduction courses. Landmark works by C. Wright Mills, Max Weber, and Karl Marx are examples you should try to find. Looking up online courses with syllabuses can help you find authors or texts that can be helpful in an introductory approach to sociology.
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Go to your local library and pick up the books. Once you have a list of books or papers that are central aspects to sociology literature, you can go to your local library and take out these works.
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Take notes as you read. You want to understand what each other is trying to say about the social world around you. Try to write down key terms or definitions the authors are stressing in their works.
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Watch the news and read periodicals. Sociology works as a study of existing social universe. Stories of teen suicide, poverty, and fashion trends, helps you see how culture and society work to craft a social landscape. These situations also helps you apply what you learn and express your knowledge to explain what is going on in a societal way.
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Tips & Warnings
You may have to go to several libraries, including college libraries, to find the appropriate number of sociological primary and secondary sources.
References
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