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
Empiricism: Empiricism is the philosophical doctrine that all human knowledge is derived from experience.
Notes
Nature of Sociology:
1. Sociology is an empirical science: Sociology studies and analyses social facts on the basis of the scientific method. It is not based only on ‘arm-chair’ philosophy, or speculation. Rules are framed in Sociology with the help of observation and experiences. Sociology holds that empiricism is its central feature as a science.
2. Sociology is a theoretical and applied science: There are a systematic development and formulation of sociological theory. The verification of already existing theories and the formulation of new theories is a constant process in Sociology. Hence, it was known as ‘pure science.’ However, today we can not call Sociology only as pure science since many branches of Sociology are based on the application of sociological knowledge to the field. Hence, it is ‘pure’ as well as an ‘applied’ social science.
3. Sociology is a factual science: The aim of Sociology is to find out the reality of society. Sociology understands society ‘as it is.’ It confines itself to ‘what is’, and not, ‘what should be’ or ‘what ought to be’ e.g. Sociology studies the constructive part and destructive elements in society, moral and immoral, organised and disorganised aspects of society.
4. Sociology is a holistic science: Sociology studies society as a whole. It does not limit itself to the study of any specific or particular aspect of society; rather, it studies all aspects of social life.
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Empiricism: Empiricism is the philosophical doctrine that all human knowledge is derived from experience. Empiricism holds that knowledge is based on the actual experience of the researcher.
