In her article, Karen Sternheimer claims that in the present day, more and more people are taking sociology classes in their higher institutions. It is essential to learn how to think like a sociologist not only to gain higher grades in university but also to develop an entirely new image of the surrounding world. This paper will provide a summary of Sternheimer’s article and discuss the most significant arguments presented by the author.
Within the framework of the article, Sternheimer outlines five critical steps necessary to succeed in the field of sociology. The first piece of advice given by the author is never to assume anything since common assumptions distract people from becoming successful sociologists. The second step is to be prepared to be wrong sometimes and to acknowledge that it is better to ask why than to assume something wrong or right. The following advice provided by the writer is to ask even more questions about human nature, people’s interactions, and the essence of life. The fourth step, according to the article, is to make the everyday strange, that is, to develop an ability to perceive daily patterns and events with fun and focus on the positive details. Finally, the author recommends embracing life’s complexities and realize that human existence, even though not simple, is still a great adventure.
Overall, the article helps readers to develop critical skills that are essential to succeed in a sociology career. Professional sociologists must know a lot, constantly replenishing the reserve of their knowledge, because social processes are continuous and always changing. Therefore, the article written by Sternheimer can be highly useful for all individuals who want to succeed in the art of sociology and reveal the secrets of this profession.
Work Cited
Sternheimer, Karen. “How to Think Like a Sociologist.” Everyday Sociology Blog, 2009, Web.