Syllabus (SOCIOLOGY)
Course Type: MAJ-1
Semester: 1
Course Code: BSOCMAJ01T
Course Title: Introduction to Sociology
(L-P-Tu): 5-0-1
Credit: 6
Practical/Theory: Theory
Course Objective: A major objective of this course is to introduce students coming from diverse academic and social backgrounds, training and capabilities to the subject matter of Sociology. The course also informs the students about the historical background in which the subject emerged.
Learning Outcome: At the end of the course the students will develop sociological insights. They would be able to understand the inherent processes working behind the social phenomena we encounter and go through.
Contents of the Course
- Sociology: Subject Matter of Sociology; Relationship with other social sciences
- Emergence of Sociology: The Enlightenment; The French Revolution; The Industrial Revolution.
- Key Concepts in Sociology: Social Interaction (Definition and Types); Society (Definition and Types); Culture (Definition and Components); Socialisation (Definition, Types and Agencies); Status and Role (Definitions and Importance); Prestige and Esteem; Social Structure; Social Institutions (Definition and Major Types); Association and Organisation; Community (Definition and Components); Values, Norms (Custom, Folkways, Mores, Law); Social Control (Definition, Forms and Agencies; Conformity, Crime and Deviance); Social Stratification (Definition and Forms); Social Mobility (Definition and Types); Social Change (Definition and Types); Collective Behaviour (Crowd and Mob)
- Social Category, Aggregate and Social Groups: Definition and Types
- Social Processes: Exchange, Cooperation, Conflict, Competition and Assimilation
- Family, Marriage and Kinship: Definitions and Types.
Readings and References
- Tischler, Henry. 2007. Introduction to Sociology. Wadsworth.
- Haralambos, Michael and Heald, R. M. 2003. Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. OUP.
- Macionis, John. 2004. Sociology. Pearson.
- Giddens, Anthony. 2000. Sociology. Polity
- Kimball, Young. 1967. An Introductory Sociology. American Book Co.
- Tony Bilton et al. 2008. Introductory Sociology. Macmillan.
- Davis, Kingsley. 2003. Human Society. Surjeet Publications.
- Giddens, Anthony, Mitchell Duneier, Mitchell Duneier, Deborah Carr. 2018. Introduction to Sociology (11 ed). W. W. Norton & Co.
- Ross, Edward, A. 1905. Foundations of Sociology. Macmillan.
- Small, Albion. 1905. General Sociology. The University of Chicago Press.
- Marshall, Gordon. 2013. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Sociology. OUP.
- Bottomore, Tom. B. 2011. Sociology: A Guide to Problems and Literature. Blackie & Sons.
- Inkeles, Alex. 2010. What is Sociology? An Introduction to the Discipline and Profession. PHI Learning Pvt. LTD.
- Abraham, Francis. M. 2006. Contemporary Sociology. OUP.
- Zeitlin, Irving, M. 1968. Ideology and the Development of Sociological Theory. Prentice-Hall.
Basic Features
Undergraduate degree programmes of either 3 or 4-year duration, with multiple entry and exit points and re-entry options, with appropriate certifications such as:
- UG certificate after completing 1 year (2 semesters with 40 Credits + 1 Summer course of 4 credits) of study,
- UG diploma after 2 years (4 semesters with 80 Credits + 1 Summer course of 4 credits) of study,
- Bachelor’s degree after a 3-year (6 semesters with 120 credits) programme of study,
- 4-year bachelor’s degree (Honours) after eight semesters (with 170 Credits) programme of study.
- 4-year bachelor’s degree (Honours with Research) if the student completes a rigorous research project (of 12 Credits) in their major area(s) of study in the 8th semester.
Note: The eligibility condition of doing the UG degree (Honours with Research) is- minimum75% marks to be obtained in the first six semesters.
- The students can make an exit after securing UG Certificate/ UG Diploma and are allowed to re-enter the degree programme within three years and complete the degree programme within the stipulated maximum period of seven years.
