Which social science?

I am interested in the social sciences. I completed my undergraduate degree in social work because it uses knowledge from the social sciences. I found that I enjoyed the electives and early social work classes that focused more on social science than the social work practice courses. However, I completed my degree in social work because I only had one year left and figured I would have more options with a bachelor in social work than with a bachelor's degree in one of the social sciences. I am considering going back to school because I am interested in research and maybe teaching on the college level. I am interested more in learning knowledge rather than practice, so I think I'll major in a social science rather than social work but I am not sure with social science. I am interested in learning about behavior, family dynamics, crime, poverty, government, race relations, and mental disorders. I wish I could study them all in depth, but I don't have that much time.

Which social science?
From how you describe your interest this sounds like sociology. The critical step will be to find a program that fits with what you want to study and/or learn about. In your masters you may end up taking some Psych as these courses will build up your ability to study some of the areas you mention.





DA
Reply:I majored in psych (BA), and it covered behavior (both individual, and individuals in small groups, like family dynamics, as well as behavior in organizations, like organizational psychology); it also covered mental disorders (abnormal psych), and race relations, criminal behavior, politics and influence (in social psychology).





You could study any of these things in either psych or sociology, but you will know which you love once you decide whether you want to research the workings of the individual human mind and of small groups, how they develop and grow (psych), or research the workings of larger groups, what they share, how they develop and change (sociology).
Reply:I think that sociology would better cover those topics - especially family dynamics, crime, poverty and race relations - although it would probably touch on some of the others as well.





Mental disorders is much more psychology-based, but I think sociology would be more up your alley.