Studying Sociology

Making the most of your textbook

Assuming you are using our book as your first source of information, you can maximise its value to you by following these guidelines.

1    Check the contents page of the chapter you are reading and familiarise yourself with its structure and with the basic concepts associated with it.

2    Print off the templates devised for note-taking from this site and use them to focus and structure the notes as you read. These templates follow the structure of each chapter but are not identical with the contents list. They should be useful in suggesting the emphasis you should give to any particular aspect of the topic.

3    Plan to cover a reasonable amount in any one session, but don't overdo it. You don't want to end up losing concentration. Set yourself one sheet as a minimum target.

4    When you have completed your target, look back over the questions that are asked in the sections you have covered. These are intended to make you think about how the material you have read applies to your own life, to contemporary events or to other important sociological issues. Jot down your thoughts in response to them. By taking time to do this, you will clarify your ideas about the topic and deepen your understanding of it. You will also be more likely to remember it in the longer term.

5    Take note of any issue that has particularly interested you and check whether there is a connections feature and/or further reading associated with it. Connections are used in the book to take you to related material in other chapters that will expand your understanding of a particular topic. Further reading can be found both at the end of each chapter and on this site, which also lists related websites on a topic by topic basis for you to explore.

6    Use the lists of concepts at the start of each chapter and the definitions in the margins to build up your stock of knowledge of sociological concepts. If you prefer, transfer them to a small glossary of your own, where you might keep further definitions from other sources as well.

7    At the end of each chapter, use the final set of questions to check your understanding and application of the information that has been covered.