Any socoiology majors present?

[wokeem]

I'm a sociology major in my sophomore year and it is by far the most interesting field of study that I've ever encountered. I've found my worldview and perspective regarding social institutions irrevocably changed for the better and I look forward to developing a more informed perspective in the years to come. My goal is to go on to graduate school, receive my masters, and then pursue a doctorate so I may someday teach sociology in the university setting and conduct research.
I was wondering, are any of the members here at litnet acquainted with the subject? If so, what sparked your interest? Also, I've been thinking that I need to start familiarizing myself with the field outside of the classroom, and that I should start be reading some of the more fundamental and quintessential books regarding sociology; works by Durkheim, Weber, Berger, Mills, etc. Does anyone know a good place to start?

[Delta40]

I am in my final year orf sociology. It's odd but Sociology introduced me to creative writing and poetry. It gave me a voice.

A good place to start is Sociological Theory by George Ritzer, which gives an extensive overview of classical and contemporary sociologists. It also covers the different sociological perspectives and links Sociologists to those theories.

I found this helpful as I found the subject confusing at times.

[wokeem]

Thank you! I will definitely look out for that.
I definitely relate to you mentioning how sociology introduced you to creative writing. While the subject in and of itself hasn't contributed to my enjoyment of literature, one of my professors has really broadened my horizons not just within the subject, but in other areas as well. I took a sociology of religion course this past semester and in the course of the class we covered topics such as existentialism, introducing me to Dostoesvky, Sartre, and Camus.

Needless to say, I've found much enjoyment following up on the discussions and the novels that he suggested in class.

[Delta40]

lol. You sound really eager and I am glad. Sociology has enhanced my life but I will admit I have dodged the Foucault bullet all the way through! Some texts I cannot persevere with.