I Have Almost Completed My Sociology Degree. No, I Don’t Understand Politics Well
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What do you mean, you don’t understand politics well?
I mean that whenever I try to figure out my political beliefs, it’s like a guessing game. I’m going off of very little information. I don’t think my politics mean anything, and I would rather listen to other people’s views than contribute to the conversation.
But you almost finished your sociology degree?
Yes, I am four years into a five-year degree.
But you must be struggling with the course material, right?
No. In terms of university grades, I’m a straight-A student and I understand everything in the course.
But you just said that you don’t understand politics well?
I mean, I can comprehend some theories, but this knowledge was gained through readings and lectures. The issue is, I have no first-hand experience with politics. I have not graduated, found a place to live, started a career, or tried to survive on my own yet. So while I understand what is being covered, it doesn’t have any personal meaning to me.
Also, I should add that while sociology classes cover politics sometimes, they do not revolve around it like a political science class does. Sociology does not just cover politics but can cover family, education, symbols, labour, and so on.
When are you expecting to get an adequate understanding of politics?
A few years from now. Five, at the most.
Does this mean that young people don’t know anything about politics?
No, there are opportunities for young people to get involved in that if they wish.
Any final words?
Some things you can’t learn in a classroom. I think everybody knows this, and this is why recent graduates are at the bottom of the job barrel. Still, it can be interesting and valuable to learn about the specific skills that you won’t obtain from a bachelor’s degree.
Shoutout: kristin schuhknecht has also written a Coffee Times article about the limitations of postsecondary education. It is called “Clear, Not Clever — Why Pursuing A Degree Is A Waste 90% Of The Time And What To Do Instead.”
July 5, 2022 edit: I was being too hard on myself in this article, I think, but I would still say most of my political views don’t matter.
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