ZAŠTO NAM (NE) TREBAJU SOCIOLOZI? / WHY DO WE (NOT) NEED SOCIOLOGISTS?

Abstract

This article discusses the status of sociology as a scientific discipline in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of its applicability and competitiveness of sociologists in the labor market. This question has been particularly elaborated by American sociologists, but also by other sociologists in their empirical research and theoretical works. Theoretical reviews of Bosnian authors regarding the place and role of sociology in our society have also been presented. For the purposes of this article, the educational programs in the field of sociology in all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been analyzed and it was found that the study of sociology can be studied at only six out of nine public universities, and the knowledge and competencies acquired during studies enable graduates sociology to be engage in theoretical sociology (scientific work), applied sociology (project management and public policy analysis) or teaching (in high schools or colleges). By analyzing the vacancies published on the Mojposao.ba portal, in the categories of "socioal services/non-profit organizations", "education" and "public service", we conclude that the knowledge and competencies acquired through education in sociology are mostly required in vacancies published by NGOs and international organizations and least in the education sector. The concluding remarks provide recommendations in order to provoke a discussion on the modalities of improving the status of sociology as a scientific discipline, and the educational profile of sociologists in the context of his position in the labor market in Bosnia and Herzegovina.