What is the ruling of Islamic law on studying the general specialization of sociology, which may alienate one from religion and diminish faith, and what is the ruling on studying Western sociology specifically?

Sociology is a beneficial science in which Muslims, such as Ibn Khaldun, preceded others in writing about it. It is important to learn and teach it, while being cautious of theories that contradict Islam, such as the ideas of Durkheim and Freud. A student of this science must have insight into their religion to be able to دفع الشبهات (refute misconceptions/specious arguments). If you are capable of refuting misconceptions with Islamic knowledge, then there is no harm in studying sociology; otherwise, it is obligatory to abandon it.