Topics
Introduction of Sociology
Contribution of Western and Indian Sociologists
- Introduction to Western Sociologists
- Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
- Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
- Karl Marx (1818-1883)
- Abdul Rahman Ibn-khaldun
- Harriet Martineau (1802 – 1876)
- Durkheims’ Theory of Suicide
- William Du Bois (1868 – 1963)
- Marxian Theory of ‘Class Conflict’
- Introduction to Indian Sociologists
- Dr. G. S. Ghurye (1893-1983)
- Dr. M. N. Srinivas (1916-1999)
- Dr. Iravati Karve (1905-1970)
Basic Concepts in Sociology
- Introduction of Society
- Definition of Society
- Characteristics of Society
- Introduction of Community
- Definition of Community
- Elements of Community
- Introduction of Social Group
- Definition of Social Group
- Characteristics of Social Group
- Types of Social Group
- Concept of Social Status
- Types of Social Status
- Concept of Social Role
- Social Role Related Concept
- Concept of Social Norms
- Types of Social Norms
Social Institutions
- Concept of Social Institutions
- Characteristics of Social Institutions
- Concept of Family
- Functions of Family
- Forms of Family
- Twenty-first Century Families
- Concept of Marriage
- Forms of Marriage
- Family, Marriage and Kinship
- Economy and Work
- Concept of Education
- Types of Education
- Importance of Education
- Education and Social Division
Culture
Socialization
Social Stratification
Social Change
Definition
Auguste Comte: “Sociology is the science of social order and progress”.
George Simmel: “Sociology, is the science of the forms of human interrelations”.
Oxford Dictionary: Sociology is “the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society”.
Notes
Sociology:
The French philosopher Auguste Comte is considered to be the ‘Father of Sociology’. He is accredited with coining the term Sociology, in 1839. He wrote the book ‘Positive Philosophy’ and in its fourth volume, he mentioned for the first time, the word ‘Sociology’.
Sociology is composed of two different words; a Latin word ‘Socius’ meaning companion or associate and which eventually was referred to as a society, and a Greek word ‘Logos’ meaning science or study. The etymological meaning of Sociology is thus ‘the science of society’. Previously Comte termed this science as ‘social physics.’ Later on, it popularly came to be known as Sociology. He found the need for new science to study social phenomena from a scientific approach.
Definition:
Auguste Comte: “Sociology is the science of social order and progress”.
George Simmel: “Sociology, is the science of the forms of human interrelations”.
Oxford Dictionary: Sociology is “the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society”.
When we analyse these definitions we come to know that most sociologists have emphasised social relations and social events as the subject matter of sociology. There is no consensus among sociologists regarding one common definition because of the complexity of the subject and subject matter. However, these definitions indicate three major points:
(i) They emphasise the scientific nature of Sociology.
(ii) They stress on the relationship between human beings and society.
(iii) It is clear that Sociology is a complex social science which differs from all other social sciences.
