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Sociology

Specially selected by your subject librarian, the resources here, including ebooks and databases, will help you with your studies in the discipline.

About This Guide

Welcome to the UNLV Libraries Sociology subject guide. This guide will help you navigate sources in Sociology, including journal articles and databases, books and ebooks, and secondary data sources.

What is Sociology?

Maybe you're new to the field. Maybe you're a senior or grad student. Defining sociology can be a challenge, regardless of your level. Here are some definitions that can help you think about the meaning and importance of the work that you do.

The American Sociological Association defines sociology as:

  • the study of society
  • a social science involving the study of the social lives of people, groups, and societies
  • the study of our behavior as social beings, covering everything from the analysis of short contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social processes
  • the scientific study of social aggregations, the entities through which humans move throughout their lives'
  • an overarching unification of all studies of humankind, including history, psychology, and economics 

Understanding Sociology

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