Final answer:
Politics, education, and religion are studied together by sociologists because they are interconnected and influence one another in society. Each of these social structures contributes to understanding how societies operate and individual roles within them.
Step-by-step explanation:
Politics, education, and religion all appear in the same chapter of a sociological text because political, religious, and educational concerns often overlap in everyday life. This overlap is important because each one of these societal elements influences, and is influenced by, the others. For instance, decisions about education funding or curriculum can be deeply political, while religious beliefs can shape political and educational values and attitudes. Moreover, education can be a platform for socializing individuals into the political and religious norms of a society.
Sociologists study these topics at both the micro level - looking at individual and small group interactions and beliefs - and the macro level - examining broader social structures, institutions, and cultural trends. By understanding how education, religion, and politics intersect, sociologists can gain insight into how societies function and how individuals navigate and are shaped by these societal forces.