Module 1

Meaning of sociology:
Sociology is the systematic study of social behaviours and human
relationship relationships. It focuses primarily on the influence of social
relationships on human attitude and behaviour, and how societies are
established and change.

Sociology is the study of man and human environment in their relations to

each other

The term sociology was coined by Auguste Comte in 1839. The founding
father of sociology define sociology as the science of social phenomenon,
subject to natural and in variable laws, the discovery of which is the object
of investigation.

Nature of sociology
The nature of sociology is intermingled with institutions and intersections
to understand society and individual has to understand, explore and study
institutions and intersections.

Sociology is a scientific study of human social behaviour, relationships,

and institutions within society, which help us understand social structure
and institutions, human behaviour and relationship , social inequality and
justice, cultural diversity and globalisation, social chain and development.

According to Robert Stead sociology is a social science and not a natural

science because it deals with human beings and social phenomena.

 It is positive and not normative science because it studies social

phenomena as it is and not as it ought to be.
 It is pure and not applied science because it studies underlying
factors of a social phenomenon.
 It is an abstract and not a concrete science because it studies
society in journal it deals with society, which itself is abstract and as
such the subject cannot be concrete
 It is a science of generalisation, and not that of particular because
the studies a social problem in general and not in a particular way.
 It is an empirical or rational size because it tries to follow logical
method of data collection.
Scope of sociology
Sociology as a social science has its own scope is or boundaries. However,
there is no one opinion about the scope of sociology. However, there are
two main schools of thought regarding the scope of sociology.:

(1)The specialist or formalistic School

(2)The synthetic School

The supporter of first school believed that sociology a specific science and
the scope should be limited, whereas other believes that it is a general
science and scope is very vast.

(1) specialist School:

The supporters of the school of thought are George Simmel and Max
Webber. The main views of the School regarding the scope of sociology
are-

 Sociology is a specific pure, independent social science.

 Sociology studies the various forms of relationship
 Scope of sociology is very narrow and Limited.
 Sociology deals with specific forms of human
relationship
 Sociology need not study all the events connected with
social sciences.
 Simmel believe that it is a specific social science, and it
should deal with social relationship relationships from
different angles.

(2) Synthetic School:

The supporters of synthetic schools are the sociologist like Durkheim,

Comte and Spencer. According to this school-

 Sociology is a general and systematic social science.

 Scope of sociology is very vast
 Sociology needs help from other social sciences
 It is a synthesis of social science
 Sociology is closely related with other social sciences

as a subject sociology studied beneath the following categories:

1. historical sociology
2. The family
 3. Human ecology and demography
4. Sociological theory
5. The community
6. Religions sociology
7. Political sociology
8. Sociology of law
9. Social psychology
10. Social psychiatry

Sociology and common sense

Sociology studies and main social aspects of human behaviour and nature.
It is the scientific study of society. It wishes to make our lives easy by
providing objective accepting of social occurrence which can be used to
deal with social difficulties and problems. In a daily routine on live, the
most rely on common sense to get us through several unknown situation.

Common sense is understanding awareness and perceived perception that

are by the major majority of the people. Common sense knowledge is
based on beliefs, expressions and assumptions. Its view is not reliable and
valid, while the sociological view is highly reliable and valid..

Sociology versus common sense

Sociology Common sense

Research based. Anyone/Any individual.
appreciated, body of knowledge personal involvements.
and understanding .
Independent techniques to acquire Opinion conventions and
existing data and facts. stereotypes.
Careful proceedings of statement . Stories and rumours .
Gathering of supportable data. mythologies and traditions.
Evidence is verified . What we read and understand ?
Measurable as statistical. Discussions or exchange of
dialogues,

Differences between sociology and common sense

1. According to Emile Durkheim, sociological thinking, tries to view and

analyse the social world from an objective standpoint. While
common sense is a product of an individual subjective experiences,
and therefore the latter cannot be considered science. Common
 sense, culturally angle, knowledge that is subjectively, varied
between individuals and societies.

2. Common sense mainly depends on the people views on the base of

their immediate knowledge, experience and perception, they
perceive it may lead to one-sided opinion of reality. Hence common
sense understanding is a declaration of the obvious which is solely
based of assumptions and perceived thinking.However, sociological
view are based on the research or it is based on evidence and fact.
Sociology knowledge is consequently, the product of the theory,
advancement, and analysis.

3. Common sense view is not reliable invalid, while the sociological

view is highly reliable and valid.

4. Common sense interpretations inclined to reveal social traditions

and bonds, and consequently inclined to support the status quo and
struggle for social change. However, in sociology conflict methods,
raise a severe question about the status quo and call for social
change.

5. sociologists depend on common sense more than the sociological

understanding. The dissimilarity of the 2 is that common sense is a
combined form of perceive knowledge based on personal
understanding, but sociological philosophy is not.

6. Common sense knowledge is based on beliefs, experiences and

assumptions. Sociological knowledge is based on rigorous,
qualitative or quantitative research.

Sociology as a science
Sociology and discipline that belongs to what usually is termed as a social
science. The discipline plays an important part in the social sciences. It is
a science which tries the interpretative understanding of social
achievement in command to reach at an underlined description of its
process and development.

It practises, the scientific process to try to recognise the numerous

characteristics of society that sociologist study.
Features of social science:

1. It is study of social relationships: it is the systematic learning of

society which is concerned in the study of social relationship
between people in group context. It is involved in how we as human
beings communicate with each other. For example, people
interactive with society, specially rules or regulation set by the
government.
2. It is a social phenomenon: sociology and other social sciences
developed from a shared practice of likeness of social phenomenon;
interest in the environment of human social activities and society as
possibly continuously occurred. However, most people in most
society show their culture as a permanent nature gifted.
3. It is a research design: sociologist use the scientific technique
such as promising in their work. It employs a variety of research
design, like observation, surveys, statistical enquiry, etc. It also put
more focus to develop hypothesis.
4. It is a scientific method: sociologist follow the rules of the
scientific method in their research. It means they may not form their
investigation in a method that helps to attend the outcomes they
supposed to find.
5. It is a core discipline of social sciences: sociology is the main
disciplines of social science. It imagine that is an intelligible logical,
integrated and wide ranging science with a precise matter and a
strong set of approaches.
6. It offer educative method to world: sociology gives a unique
and educative method of accepting and considering the social world
in which we are living and which outlines our lives through its
precise logical view point research methods and social theory.
Sociology are discipline that in largest our consciousness and
analysis of the human social relationships, cultures and associations
that deeply for both our lives and human history.
7. Regular occurrence of events: sociology may be usually distinct
as a social science that studies that such kinds of events regularly in
society like-
 Sociology is an organisation function of society.
 Sociology is the nature, involvedness and insides of human
social behaviour
 Sociology is the basics of human social life
 Sociology is the communication of human beings with their
external environment.
Humanistic orientation in sociology
The humanistic orientation is a perspective approach that emphasises the
subjective experiences and meanings of individuals, and the role of
human agency and creativity in shaping society . This perspective
recognises the importance of understanding the unique perspective and
experiences of individuals and how these shape their behaviour and
interaction with others .

The humanistic orientation is often associated with a focus on empathy

and understanding .

The humanistic orientation to sociological study is characterised by a

focus on understanding the subjective experiences and meaning of
individuals and on promoting personal growth , self actualisation ,
authenticity , personal responsibility, and social change .

The principles of humanistic orientation in sociology are as follows:

1. human dignity and worth

2. Individual freedom and autonomy
3. Subjective experience
4. Emphasis on human agency
5. Holistic understanding of human behaviour

The research in humanistic orientation focuses on:

1. Identity formation and self-concept

2. Social relationships and community
3. Emotions and emotional labour
4. Social change and activism

The future directions of humanistic orientation are as follows;

1. addressing global social issues.

2. Developing participatory and inclusive research methods
3. Exploring the intersection of technology and human experience
4. Advancing, holistic and contextual understanding of human
behaviour.

History and emergence of sociology in India

Writings about society can be tracked back to ancient Indian mythological,
religious, and spiritual texts, such as the Veda, Upnishads, Puranas,
Smriti’s, writings of Kautilya and Sukracharya they talk volumes about
rites, laws, customs, economy, polity, culture, morality, aesthetics, and
science.

All these writings are replete with sites concerning social order and
stability, mobility, human inter relationships, and social governance.

Kautilya’s Artha Sastra is a monumental treatise on political economy and

Shukracharya’s Niti Shastra offers vast wisdom on morality, social
customs, ethics, folk ways, and more.

Charaksamhita of sixth century, advise the healer to take into account the
norms, values, and customs of the people who would come to them.

Most of the classical accounts of Indian society can be found in the

writings of Megasthenes, the grey ambassador to the court of
Chandragupta Maurya.

Details, socio-cultural description of Indian society is also found in the

Works of three Chinese travellers Fa-hein (400-411 A.D), Yoan Change
(624-644 AD) and 1- Tsing(671-695 AD).

Valuable information on social cultural conditions and daily life of people

of India are available from the narratives of Ibn Batutta (1333-1347)

Famous Muslim scholar in Akbar Court(1556-1605) Abul Fazal is known for

his work “Ain-i-Akbari.” it gives a wonderful description of society in all its
aspects in Akbar time

During British period, the rapid acquisition of knowledge of Indian society

and the intensification of missionary activities begin to develop from 1760
onward. missionaries, and British officials made earnest effort to study the
social life and culture of people of India.

Dr. Francois Buchanan conducted an ethnographic survey of Bengal in

1807, which is still considered as a brilliant work of sociological
importance.

In 1816, Abbey Dubois French missionary in Mysore wrote a book entitled

“ Hindu manners, customs and ceremonies” which is regarded as a
valuable sociological document.

Famous social reformer, Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s writing on religion,

woman, and society continue to excite the intellectual discourse for their
rich sociological content.
Development of Sociology in India

Pre-Independence Period (1773–1946)

1. Early Influences:
o British officials needed knowledge of Indian customs, caste, and institutions
for governance.
o Missionaries contributed by studying local languages and cultures.
2. Foundations of Sociology:
o Introduced at Calcutta University in 1917, spearheaded by B.N. Seal.
o Expansion in Bombay (1919), with Patrick Geddes, G.S. Ghurye, and N.A.
Toothi leading early sociological initiatives.
o In Lucknow (1921), Sociology became part of the Economics Department, led
by Radhakamal Mukherjee and D.P. Mukerji.
o Mysore University (1928) and Osmania University also introduced
sociology, expanding its reach.
3. Key Characteristics:
o Strong reliance on empirical studies of caste, tribe, and religion.
o Sociology lacked scientific rigour and a distinct identity; it was considered
part of economics, anthropology, or philosophy.
4. Major Contributors:
o G.S. Ghurye: Focused on caste, religion, and tribes.
o M.N. Srinivas: Introduced the concept of "Sanskritization."
o Irawati Karve: Worked on family and kinship systems.

Post-Independence Period (1947–1966)

1. Growth of the Discipline:

o Sociology became a distinct academic discipline, separating itself from
psychology, anthropology, and social philosophy.
o Influence shifted from British theoretical traditions (functionalism,
diffusionism) to American sociology(empirical, development-focused
research).
o Universities expanded sociology curricula to include topics like rural
development, kinship, urbanisation, and social stratification.
2. Institutional Development:
o Establishment of the Indian Sociological Society and the publication of
the Sociological Bulletin.
o Research institutes like the ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Science
Research) promoted sociology as a tool for nation-building.
3. Research Focus:
o Topics included tribal studies, caste conflicts, religious communities, and
urban migration.
o Scholars like A.R. Desai explored the intersection of sociology and Marxism.
1970s and Beyond

1. Diversification of Research:
o Focus expanded from rural sociology to agrarian relations, industrial
sociology, urban sociology, and gender studies.
o Marxist frameworks became prominent in analyzing caste and class struggles.
o New fields of study: medical sociology, sociology of professions, and
sociology of organizations.
2. Emerging Areas (1980s–1990s):
o Sociology of science, deviance, and technology gained traction.
o Gender studies, feminist sociology, and social justice movements became
central themes.
o Liberalization and globalization (post-1991 economic reforms) opened
avenues for studies on civic society, media, and cultural shifts.