Research Topic Ideas for Sociology
Choosing a topic for a sociology paper will be based largely on the type of sociology course that you are taking and the types of topics that you're studying within the class. Sociology classes look at the ways that people think and act in society, so many research topic ideas for sociology revolve around the "isms"--the ways that certain groups of people discriminate against others, why that is so and what effect that has on society.
Racism
Racism is a hot topic wherever you go, and there are a number of ways that you can incorporate this idea into a sociology paper. You could research a specific incident of racism, discuss racial stereotypes in the media or whether having elected a half-black president has increased or decreased racism in America. Another good topic is to look at biracial children and examine how they struggle to find their place among the two races.
Classism
Classism is discrimination against people based on how much money they have. You could compare the benefits of capitalism against the benefits of socialism or look at the ways that big corporations have affected the average worker.
Sexism
Choose a topic that relates how people view genders differently. For example, you could write a paper on the gendering of baby clothes and toys, why women make less money than men, or the emergence of the "men's movement" as a way to counteract feminism.
Ageism
Study the ways that people face discrimination as they age, such as the challenges of finding work after 50 or treatment of the elderly in nursing homes.
Sexualism
The classic debate about sexuality is whether it is something that you are born with or something that develops as a result of your environment. You could also write about the issues that people face when transitioning from one gender to another, or offer a historical view of the gay rights movement. Another hot-button issue about sexualism is whether or not gay people should be allowed to marry each other.
Tags: ways that, that people, Ideas Sociology, look ways, look ways that