Some reflections on the situation of the degree in Sociology in Spain

Abstract

The degree in Sociology suffers from three problems deeply interconnected. Fist, sociology is barely present in pre-university education in Spain, which produces two important consequences: those who decide to enroll in Sociology will lack information about the discipline and won’t have developed the skills required for an adequate performance along the degree. If, despite that, there is a significant number of students enrolled in Sociology, is because many of them are more interested in the university credential than in the learning process itself, which will mean high dropout rates in Sociology and low levels of competence development at the end of the degree. Finally, if the degree in Sociology attracts a high proportion of students without a true sociological vocation and, therefore,unwilling to make significant efforts, it is unlikely
that the average graduate may be in disposition of working as a sociologist.