Sociologist's Tools

Being a sociology student, you don’t need a lot of things. You don’t need a crazy graphing calculator or a powerful laptop. And you for sure don't need a microscope. However, there are certain items (or tools) that are essential for your success.

These items, which I will list below, will help you better understand sociology and help you do your projects and research more efficiently.

So, here are the tools that every sociology student (or armchair sociologist) needs:

[Full disclosure: The following links are affiliated links as I participate in the Amazon Associates program. What this means is that if you follow the link and purchase something, I will get a commission, at no extra cost to you.]



This tool is a lifesaver.

Here’s why: Let’s say you decided to not go to class one day because you weren’t feeling well. You asked one of your classmates for their notes (or you got it online). But after reading a couple of the pages, you didn’t understand a single thing. This is where the sociological dictionary will save you.

If there’s a concept you don’t understand, just look it up. The dictionary will give you an explanation, in layman’s terms, and show you examples.

I highly recommend you grab one.



Classical and contemporary sociological texts are extensions to the sociological dictionary. The reason why you need both is that the classical and contemporary texts look at concepts in more depth. They also talk about the histories of famous sociologists.

So if you want to have a better understanding of sociology, you should get these two texts.

Additionally, the study of classical and contemporary sociological theories are required classes if you want a degree in sociology.


Rocketbook Everlast Reusable Smart Notebook

These days, not a lot of students use notebooks. But don’t underestimate the power of having one.

A notebook is very handy for taking notes when you are on the field observing social behaviour and for when you are in class writing down important theories. You can also use it to brainstorm project ideas and outline research papers.

I recommend you get the Rocketbook because it is reusable (you can wipe clean the pages) and doesn’t waste paper, which kills trees.


ASUS C302CA Flip Chromebook

A Chromebook will be useful for sociology students because it is a lightweight machine that will allow you to do the essential tasks of a sociologist. You can use it to do research on the web, write your papers, look up and study your notes online, take class notes, and watch political videos on YouTube, among other things.

Additionally, Chromebooks have much better battery life than Windows notebooks, which means you can go an entire day without having to find a plug to charge your device.



Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop

However, if you prefer the Windows OS or want a Windows device, then the Acer Aspire E 15 is the best budget laptop that you can get. It comes with an Intel Core i3 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage space.

And it also comes equipped with a DVD drive for you to watch all of the documentaries you desire.


Textbooks

Some classes require you to have a textbook. That’s all. Click here to check out a list of the most used sociology textbooks.

Did you find this list useful? If so, share it with your fellow sociology classmates. You can also share it with fellow social observers on social media.

Recommended Reading

So here’s a list of books that every sociologist must read or, at the very least, have on their toolbelt.

The Sociological Imagination (C. Wright Mills)

The Communist Manifesto (Karl Marx)

The Souls of Black (W.E.B. Du Bois)

The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (Emile Durkheim)

Invitation to Sociology: A Humanistic Perspective (Peter L. Berger)

The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge (Peter L. Berger)

Black Like Me (John Howard Griffin)

The Fire Next Time (James Baldwin)

The Basic Writings of Sigmund Freud (Psychopathology of Everyday Life, the Interpretation of Dreams, and Three Contributions To the Theory of Sex) (Sigmund Freud)

Mind, Self, and Society (George Herbert Mead)

Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method (Herbert Blumer)

Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics (bell hooks)




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