Lecture-1

INTRODUCTION OF SOCIOLOGY

1. INTRODUCTION:

The study of society is called sociology. It is a branch of social science

(nonmaterial science) that deals with the relationship between an

individual’s attraction, interaction, and the science of collective behavior. A

person who studies sociology is known as a sociologist. In sociology, we

study the human individual as well as collective behavior.

2. MEANINGS:

The word sociology is derived from two "Latin" words "socio" and "logie"

which means the "study of society".

Study of human social relationships and institutions.

DERIVATION:

Sociology

Socius. Logie

⬇ ⬇

Society. Logic/ knowledge.

⬇
 Knowledge of society.

3. DEFINITIONS:

i. Science of society. (Sumner)

ii. Scientific Study of Society. (Giddens)

iii. Science of social institutions. (E. Durkheim)

iv. The scientific study of human relationship. (Simmel)

v. Science of collective behavior (park)

vi. The study of social actions (Weber).

ORIGIN:

The word sociology was no more before the 19th century. It was discovered

and studied in the mid-19th century in France and Middle Europe by a well-

known and beginner sociologist "Sir Auguste Comte". After that sociology

had become a subject and was studied broadly all over the world.

5. SCOPE:

The scope of sociology is extremely wide, ranging from the encounters

between two individuals up to the analysis of world-wide social processes.

(Giddens)
6. NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY:

The nature of sociology is as follows;

• Sociology is an independent science.

• Sociology is a social science (non-material science).

• Sociology is pure and applied science.

• Sociology is a generalizing science.

• Sociology is both rational and empirical science.

7. EXPONENTS / FAMOUS SOCIOLOGISTS:

i. (1798-1857) Auguste comte (Scientific, Positivism).

ii. (1820-1903) Herbert Spencer (Evolution)

iii. (1818-1883) Karl Marx (Class & Conflict)

iv. (1887-1917) E. Durkheim (Social Integration)

v. (1864-1920) Max Weber (Historical, Cross-cultural)

Their Explanation is as under:

August Comte

Auguste Comte was a French and he is the founder of sociology. His

approach to sociology is scientific and analytical. Also, positivism in

sociology was proposed by August Comte. He’s also called the first

father of sociology.
II. Herbert Spencer

He was an Englishman and was known as the second father of sociology.

Due to its evolutionary approach. He is also known as the Darwin of

sociology.

"Societies evolve from lower to higher form".

III. Karl Marx

He was a German. A great communist and the founder of Marxism. He

was a well-known writer scholar, politician, and evolutionist. He was

also, a sociologist. He believes that society exists when there is a class

conflict.

IV. Emile Durkheim

He was a French and according to him, sociology exists due to social

integration.

V. Max Weber

Max Weber was a German and a well-known sociologist. He studied

cross-cultural and historical keys to studying sociology.

DEVELOPMENT FACTORS:

i. Industrial revolution
ii. European colonialism

iii. Scientific study.

Their Explanation is as follows:

Industrial Revolution

In Europe, the agricultural system was developed into an industrial

system, which saw the people from village start their migration toward

cities. so, the mass migration of people was enhanced.

ii. European Colonialism

Europeans conquered many parts of the world, so their culture was spread

all over the world. Thus, European colonialism occurred and this factor

create the sense to study cultural diversity.

iii. Scientific Study

The development of sociology was the success of all-natural sciences. The

sociologist used the scientific method to study the difficult aspects of

human behaviors (individually as well as collectively).

9. FIELDS OF SOCIOLOGY:

Sociology as a subject is so diverse that its applicability is visible in almost

every other subject and field. A few examples are as under;

 Historical sociology
 Political sociology

 Sociology of crime

 Industrial sociology

 Sociology of work

 Sociology of culture

 Sociology of media

 Ruler sociology

 Sociology of development

 Sociology of medicine

 Urban sociology

UTILITY/OBJECTIVE OF SOCIOLOGY:

Objects of sociology are as under;

To know about rapid changes in the world.

To understand all places within the world

They distinguish between personal problems and public issues.

To understand social problems.

11. SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIOLOGY:

• It explains the problems of society.

• Studies the role of the institution in the development of individuals.

• Research-based arguments.

• Development projects identification.

• Conflict resolution.

• Cultural exploration.

• Decrease the social issues.

12. SIGNIFICANCE FOR LAW STUDENTS:

i. Study socio-legal disputes.

ii. Resolve socio- legal disputes.

iii. Study culture.

iv. Determine social problems.

v. Study social issues.

vi. Study crime.

vii. Understand society.

viii. Social interaction skills.

ix. Resolve social problems.

x. Treasury of knowledge.

xi. Social control.

xii. Social order.

xiv. Relation between law and society.

xv. Study social phenomenon.

xvi. Study social patterns.

xvii. Study social behavior.

xviii. How to cope with society.

xix. Bars as a social institution.

xx. Judiciary as a social institution.

CONCLUSION

To conclude we can say that sociology is a social science that covers all aspects

of society also merely related to other social sciences, its scope is extremely

wide and it plays a vital role to study History, the present, and all the features of

society