Sociology, the systematic study of society, examines social structures, relationships, and institutions. Rooted in empirical inquiry, it blends theoretical frameworks—such as functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism—to explore patterns of behavior and power dynamics. Emerging in response to industrialization, sociology has evolved to include complex analyses of identity, culture, and global systems. While grounded in scientific rigor, it also navigates abstract dimensions: the meanings embedded in symbols, the unspoken norms shaping interaction, and the tension between structure and agency. This duality embodies sociology's quest to articulate both the observable and the intangible forces that define human experience.
Explore the Discipline of Applied Science’s influential icons, ideas, and classics to deepen your learning and inspire your next journey.