UNIT 1 – SOCIOLOGY AS A DISCIPLINE

STRUCTURE
1.0 Objectives
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Sociology as a Social Science
1.3 Meaning and Definition of Sociology
1.4 Origin of Sociology
1.4.1 History of Sociology
1.4.2 The Modern History of Sociology
1.5 Growth and Development of Sociology
1.5.1 The Birth of Sociology as a Discipline
1.5.2 The Modern History of Sociology
1.5.3 Development of Sociology in India
1.6 Characterisitcs of Sociology
1.7 Branches of Sociology
1.7.1 Theoretical sociology
1.7.2 Applied Sociology
1.7.3 Educational sociology
1.7.4 Cultural sociology
1.7.5 Rural sociology
1.7.6 Urban sociology
1.7.7 Religious sociology
1.7.8 Historical sociology
1.7.9 Demographic sociology
1.7.10 Political sociology
1.7.11 Social Psychology
1.7.12 Medical sociology
1.7.13 Industrial sociology
1.7.14 Military sociology
1.7.15 Criminal Sociology
1.7.16 Legal sociology
1.8 Scope and Significance of Sociology

4
1.9 Let’s Sum it up
1.10 Key Words
1.11 Answers to Check Your Progress
1.12 Some useful books
1.13 Terminal Questions

1.0 OBJECTIVES

 After studying this unit, you will be able to;

 Define the term sociology
 Elaborate on the origin and development of sociology
 Explain the nature and scope of sociology
 Discuss the importance of sociology as a field of knowledge and itsapplication in
today’s society

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Man is an inherently inquisitive being. He has always questioned the various occurrences of
the world, human behaviour and the purpose of the existence of natural phenomenon and
human beings. He tries to find answers to these questions by the means of scientific enquiry.
The answers are based on observations and experiences. He then collates these to form
theories. Different fields of study have emerged as a result of these continuous search for
knowledge and research.
Science is a broad term that can be defined as the study and knowledge of physical and social
world and the different laws that govern the natural and human life. Science as a field can be
classified under two amin branches, namely natural sciences and social sciences.
Natural science is a branch of science that delas with the physical world. It is concerned with
describing, understanding and drawing predictions about the physical or the natural world
around us. It is based on empirical evidences collected from observation and conducting
experiments. Physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy are some of the examples of
physical sciences.
Social science on the other hand, is a branch of science that studied social phenomenon. This
branch deals with people.

5
It analyses human behaviours and the factors leading to those behaviours. Social science is
the study of how people interact with one another. The branches of social science include
anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, and sociology.
Social science examines the relationships between individuals and societies as well as the
development and operation of societies, rather than studying the physical world. These
academic disciplines rely more heavily on interpretation and qualitative research
methodologies.

Check your Progress 1

Q. 1 What are the two main branches of science?
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….

Q. 2 Name some of the fields in natural sciences.

…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….

Q. 3 Name some of the fields of social sciences.

…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………….

1.2 SOCIOLOGY AS A SOCIAL SCIENCE

Sociology involves the scientific study of society. Sociologists are interested in understanding
the interactions between humans and how human behaviour is shaped by social structures,
institutions, and communities.

6
We live in a society that has a huge influence on over upbringing, personality, thoughts,
behaviours, interactions, motivations and decisions. Animals act according to their instincts,
whereas human act are guided and shaped by different social organizations and institutions.
Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. Sociology’s subject
matter is diverse, ranging from crime to religion, from the family to the state, from the
divisions of race and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture, and from social
stability to radical change in whole societies. Unifying the study of these diverse subjects of
study is sociology’s purpose of understanding how human action and consciousness both
shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures.
Sociology is a science because sociologists use the scientific method to test hypotheses,
establish laws, and uncover causal [Link] to Auguste Comte and Durkheim,
“Sociology is a science because it adopts and applies the scientific method. Sociology does
make use of scientific methods in the study of its subject matter. Hence Sociology is a
science.
Sociology examines the organization, structure, and change of social groups and institutions.
It combines rigorous methods of inquiry and analysis in various areas of research, such as:
mass media, the environment, racism, gender issues, class, and deviance and social control.
Sociologists think critically about various aspects of society and determine its effect on
individuals, neighbourhoods, cities, states, countries, and end on a global scale.

1.3 MEANING AND DEFINITION OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of
human behaviour. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and
societies, and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behaviour is social,
the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from
organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the
shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of
sports.
In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and application
of knowledge.
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of
human behaviour. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and

7
societies, and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behaviour is social,
the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from
organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the
shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of
sports. In fact, few fields have such broad scope and relevance for research, theory, and
application of knowledge.
Sociology provides many distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and
critiquing the old. The field also offers a range of research techniques that can be applied to
virtually any aspect of social life: street crime and delinquency, corporate downsizing, how
people express emotions, welfare or education reform, how families differ and flourish, or
problems of peace and war.
Since sociology addresses the most challenging issues of our time, it is a rapidly expanding
field whose potential is increasingly tapped by those who craft policies and create programs.
Sociologists understand social inequality, patterns of behaviour, forces for social change and
resistance, and how social systems work. As the following pages convey, sociology is an
exciting discipline with expanding opportunities for a wide range of career paths.

1.4 ORIGIN OF SOCIOLOGY

The most distinctive feature of human life is its social character. All human beings have to
interact with other human beings in order to survive. Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher,
remarked that ‘Man is a social animal.’ Both nature and necessity impel man to live in
society.
Man’s behaviour in society is determined mainly by two forces—physical and social which
he has been trying to understand and control from time immemorial.
It was quite natural that his attempts to comprehend and control the natural phenomena had
started earlier and met with greater success than his attempts to understand the social
phenomena because it was easier for him to understand the physical phenomena by virtue of
the fact that they were more concrete and hence more observable with a greater degree of
detachment.
Nevertheless, man has been trying since ancient times to take stock of his social environment
and to attempt to understand the problems created by it. But in these early stages man carried
on the study not of society but of the different aspects of society and that gave rise to

8
different social sciences, like History, Economics, and Political Science. Anthropology,
Psychology, etc.
While, broadly speaking, all these social sciences deal with social phenomena and are,
therefore, interrelated and inter-dependent, each concentrate upon a particular phase of
human conduct and specialises in studying it.
Thus, History is the record of unique events relating to man; Economics is concerned with his
activities relating to production and consumption of wealth; Political Science deals with his
political activities and institutions; Anthropology studies his activities and institutions as they
existed in times long past; Psychology is interested in the springs of human action, the
impulses and motives that sustain mental and bodily activity and regulate human conduct.
These social sciences do not give us a complete picture of society. They may give a snapshot
view of society from various angles of vision but never a view of society in its
comprehensive totality and utility. The need was, therefore, felt for a general science which
should purview the society as a whole and ‘sociology’ was designed to achieve this end.
Thus, Sociology appeared when it was felt that other fields of human knowledge do not fully
explain man’s social behaviour. Sociology is, on the one hand, a synthetic discipline, trying
to unify from a central point of view the results of separate disciplines; and on the other, an
analytic and specialised science with its own field of research.
Sociology essentially and fundamentally deals with that network of social relationships we
call society.
No other science takes that subject for its central concern. As sociologists, we are interested
in social relationships not because they are economic, political, or religious, but because they
are social. The focus of Sociology is on Socialness.
We should at the same time, recognise that in studying society we are not attempting to study
everything that happens ‘in society’ or under social conditions, for that includes all human
activity and human learning. We shall not, for example, study religion as religion, art as art,
or government as government, but as the forces that maintain and control social relations.
Sociology may thus be interested in all these problems but not primarily. It is primarily
interested in man’s behaviour in relation to other men, I.e., it focuses its attention on
relationships which are definitely ‘social’ and that is what makes it a distinctive field,
however, closely allied to others it may be. The study of social relationship themselves is the
main interest of Sociology.

9
1.4.1 History of Sociology

Auguste Comte (1798–1857), widely considered the “father of sociology,” became interested
in studying society because of the changes that took place as a result of the French
Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. During the French Revolution, which began in
1789, France’s class system changed dramatically. Aristocrats suddenly lost their money and
status, while peasants, who had been at the bottom of the social ladder, rose to more powerful
and influential positions. The Industrial Revolution followed on the heels of the French
Revolution, unfolding in Western Europe throughout the 1800s. During the Industrial
Revolution, people abandoned a life of agriculture and moved to cities to find factory jobs.
They worked long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay. New social problems emerged
and, for many decades, little was done to address the plight of the urban poor.
Comte looked at the extensive changes brought about by the French Revolution and the
Industrial Revolution and tried to make sense of them. He felt that the social sciences that
existed at the time, including political science and history, couldn’t adequately explain the
chaos and upheaval he saw around him.
He decided an entirely new science was needed. He called this new science sociology, which
comes from the root word socius, a Latin word that means “companion” or “being with
others.”
Comte decided that to understand society, one had to follow certain procedures, which we
know now as the Scientific Method. The scientific method is the use of systematic and
specific procedures to test theories in psychology, the natural sciences, and other fields.
Comte also believed in Positivism, which is the application of the scientific method to the
analysis of society. Comte felt that sociology could be used to inspire social reforms and
generally make a society a better place for its members. Comte’s standards of “research”
were not nearly as exacting as todays, and most of his conclusions have been disregarded, as
they were based mostly on observation rather than serious investigation.
In the United States, sociology was first taught as an academic discipline at the University of
Kansas in 1890, at the University of Chicago in 1892, and at Atlanta University in 1897.
Over time, it spread to other universities in North America. The first department of sociology
opened at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, in 1922, followed by sociology
departments at Harvard University in 1930 and at the University of California at Berkeley in
the 1950s.

10
1.4.2 The Modern History of Sociology

The growth of sociology as an academic discipline in the United States coincided with the
establishment and upgrading of many universities that were including a new focus on
graduate departments and curricula on “modern subjects.” In 1876, Yale University’s
William Graham Sumner taught the first course identified as “sociology” in the United States.
The University of Chicago established the first graduate department of sociology in the
United States in 1892 and by 1910, most colleges and universities were offering sociology
courses. Thirty years later, most of these schools had established sociology departments.
Sociology was first taught in high schools in 1911.
Sociology was also growing in Germany and France during this period. However, in Europe,
the discipline suffered great setbacks as a result of World Wars I and II. Many sociologists
were killed or fled Germany and France between 1933 and the end of World War II. After
World War II, sociologists returned to Germany influenced by their studies in America. The
result was that American sociologists became the world leaders in theory and research for
many years.
Sociology has grown into a diverse and dynamic discipline, experiencing a proliferation of
specialty areas. The American Sociological Association (ASA) was formed in 1905 with 115
members. By the end of 2004, it had grown to almost 14,000 members and more than 40
“sections” covering specific areas of interest. Many other countries also have large national
sociology organizations. The International Sociological Association (ISA) boasted more than
3,300 members in 2004 from 91 different countries. The ISA sponsored research committees
covering more than 50 different areas of interest, covering topics as diverse as children,
aging, families, law, emotions, sexuality, religion, mental health, peace and war, and work.

1.5 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

Economics was the first social science. It grew out of the practical application of gathering
factual information for business and taxation during the 1700s. In the early 1800s, history
developed as an academic discipline. Psychology then grew out of medicine, philosophy, and
pedagogy. Anthropology developed from the European discoveries of the Americas, Africa,
and Asia.

11
Sociology is one of the youngest academic disciplines, established as a distinct field of study
in Europe only during the 1800s. It was at first indistinguishable from political science, and
most early sociologists wrote about political issues outside of academics.
The term Sociology was coined by Auguste Comte, a French philosopher, in 1839. The
teaching of sociology as a separate discipline started in 1876 in the United States, in 1889 in
France, in 1907 in Great Britain, after World War I in Poland and India, in 1925 in Egypt and
Mexico, and in 1947 in Sweden.
Sociology is the youngest of all the Social Sciences. The word Sociology is derived from the
Latin word ‘societies’ meaning ‘society’ and the Greek word ‘logos’ are meaning ‘study or
science’. The etymological meaning of ‘sociology’ is thus the ‘science of society’.
Prof. Ginsberg accordingly defines it “as the study of society, which is of the web or tissue of
human inter-actions and inter-relations.” In other words, Sociology is the study of man’s
behaviour in groups or of the inter-action among human beings, of social relationships and
the processes by which human group activity takes place.
Sociology is specifically the offspring of the 18th and the 19th century philosophy and has
been viewed as a reaction against the frequently non-scientific approaches of classical
philosophy to social phenomenon. Today's sociology is not something, which has been raised
like a phoenix from its ashes, rather it has undergone through several stages of developments.
Different philosophers and religious authorities of ancient and medieval societies made
countless observations about human behaviours. However, they do not test or verify these
observations scientifically, even though these observations often became the bases for moral
codes of that time. Sociology, as a distinctive way of thinking about society, was concurrent
with the rise of modernity; partly, means the rise of scientific way of thinking.

1.5.1 The Birth of Sociology as a Discipline

The term sociology was coined by French philosopher Auguste Comte in 1838, who for this
reason is known as the “Father of Sociology.” Comte felt that science could be used to study
the social world. Just as there are testable facts regarding gravity and other natural laws,
Comte thought that scientific analyses could also discover the laws governing our social
lives. It was in this context that Comte introduced the concept of positivism to sociology — a
way to understand the social world based on scientific facts. He believed that, with this new
understanding, people could build a better future. He envisioned a process of social change in
which sociologists played crucial roles in guiding society.

12
Other events of that time period also influenced the development of sociology. The 19th and
20th centuries were times of many social upheavals and changes in the social order that
interested the early sociologists. The political revolutions sweeping Europe during the 18th
and 19th centuries led to a focus on social change and the establishment of social order that
still concerns sociologists today.
Many early sociologists were also concerned with the Industrial Revolution and the rise of
capitalism and socialism. Additionally, the growth of cities and religious transformations
were causing many changes in people’s lives.
Other classical theorists of sociology from the late 19th and early 20th centuries include Karl
Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, W.E.B. DuBois, and Harriet Martineau. As pioneers in
sociology, most of the early sociological thinkers were trained in other academic disciplines,
including history, philosophy, and economics. The diversity of their training is reflected in
the topics they researched, including religion, education, economics, inequality, psychology,
ethics, philosophy, and theology.
These pioneers of sociology all had a vision of using sociology to call attention to social
concerns and bring about social change. In Europe, for example, Karl Marx teamed with
wealthy industrialist Friedrich Engels to address class inequality. Writing during the
Industrial Revolution, when many factory owners were lavishly wealthy and many factory
workers despairingly poor, they attacked the rampant inequalities of the day and focused on
the role of capitalist economic structures in perpetuating these inequalities. In Germany, Max
Weber was active in politics while in France, Emile Durkheim advocated for educational
reform. In Britain, Harriet Martineau advocated for the rights of girls and women, and in the
U.S., W.E.B. DuBois focused on the problem of racism.

1.5.2 The Modern History of Sociology

The growth of sociology as an academic discipline in the United States coincided with the
establishment and upgrading of many universities that were including a new focus on
graduate departments and curricula on “modern subjects.” In 1876, Yale University’s
William Graham Sumner taught the first course identified as “sociology” in the United States.
The University of Chicago established the first graduate department of sociology in the
United States in 1892 and by 1910, most colleges and universities were offering sociology
courses. Thirty years later, most of these schools had established sociology departments.
Sociology was first taught in high schools in 1911.

13
Sociology was also growing in Germany and France during this period. However, in Europe,
the discipline suffered great setbacks as a result of World Wars I and II.
Many sociologists were killed or fled Germany and France between 1933 and the end of
World War II. After World War II, sociologists returned to Germany influenced by their
studies in America. The result was that American sociologists became the world leaders in
theory and research for many years.
Sociology has grown into a diverse and dynamic discipline, experiencing a proliferation of
specialty areas. The American Sociological Association (ASA) was formed in 1905 with 115
members. By the end of 2004, it had grown to almost 14,000 members and more than 40
“sections” covering specific areas of interest. Many other countries also have large national
sociology organizations. The International Sociological Association (ISA) boasted more than
3,300 members in 2004 from 91 different countries. The ISA sponsored research committees
covering more than 50 different areas of interest, covering topics as diverse as children,
aging, families, law, emotions, sexuality, religion, mental health, peace and war, and work.
The idea of modernity originated as an account of the kind of institutions, ideas and
behaviour that grew out of the decline of medieval society in Europe. In the most basic sense,
modernity is the mode of our time (here and now). It is also an attitude of critical reflection
on the past and critical distance from the future. Therefore, modernity evokes the idea of
radically changing time.

1.5.3 Development of Sociology in India

The origin of sociology and social anthropology in India can be traced to the days when the
British officials realized the need to understand the native society and its culture in the
interest of smooth administration. However, it was only during the twenties of the last
century that steps were taken to introduce sociology and social anthropology as academic
disciplines in Indian universities.
The popularity that these subjects enjoy today and their professionalization is, however, a
post-independence phenomenon. Attempts have been made by scholars from time to time to
outline the historical developments, to highlight the salient trends and to identify the crucial
problems of these subjects.
Sociology and social/cultural anthropology are cognate disciplines and are in fact
indissoluble.

14
However, the two disciplines have existed and functioned in a compartmentalized manner in
the European continent as well as in the United States. This separation bears the indelible
impress of western colonialism and Euro-centrism.
However, Indian sociologists and anthropologists have made an attempt to integrate
sociology and anthropology in research, teaching and recruitment. They have made a
prominent contribution to the development of indigenous studies of Indian society and have
set an enviable example before the Asian and African scholars.
Another significant contribution of Indian sociology and social/cultural anthropology lies in
their endeavor to synthesize the text and the context. This synthesis between the text and the
context has provided valuable insights into the dialectic of continuity and change to
contemporary Indian society (Momin, 1997).
It is difficult to understand the origin and development of sociology in India without
reference to its colonial history. By the second half of the 19th century, the colonial state in
India was about to undergo several major transformations.
Land, and the revenue and authority that accrued from the relationship between it and the
state, had been fundamental to the formation of the early colonial state, eclipsing the
formation of Company rule in that combination of formal and private trade that itself marked
the formidable state-like functions of the country.
The important event that took place was the revolt of 1857, which showed that the British did
not have any idea about folkways and customs of the large masses of people. If they had
knowledge about Indian society, the rebellion of 1857 would not have taken place. This
meant that a new science had to come to understand the roots of Indian society. The
aftermath of 1857 gave rise to ethnographic studies. It was with the rise of ethnography,
anthropology and sociology which began to provide empirical data of the colonial rule.
Herbert Risley was the pioneer of ethnographic studies in India. He entered the Indian Civil
Services in 1857 with a posting in Bengal. It was in his book Caste and Tribes of Bengal
(1891) that Risley discussed Brahminical sociology, talked about ethnography of the castes
along with others that the importance of caste was brought to colonial rulers. Nicholas Dirks
{In Post Colonial Passages, Sourabh Dube, Oxford, 2004) observes:
Risley’s final ethnographic contribution to colonial knowledge thus ritualed the divineness of
caste, as well as its fundamental compati-bility with politics only in the two registers of
ancient Indian monarchy or modern Britain’s ‘benevolent despotism’.
Thus, the ethnographic studies came into prominence under the influence of Risley. He
argued that to rule India caste should be discouraged. This whole period of 19th century gave
15
rise to ethnographic studies, i.e., studies of caste, religion, rituals, customs, which provided a
foundation to colonial rule for establishing dominance over India. It is in this context that the
development of sociology in India has to be analysed.
Sociology and social anthropology developed in India in the colonial interests and intellectual
curiosity of the western scholars on the one hand, and the reactions of the Indian scholars on
the other. British administrators had to acquire the knowledge of customs, manners and
institutions of their subjects.
Christian missionaries were interested in understanding local languages, folklore and culture
to carry out their activities. These overlapping interests led to a series of tribal, caste, village
and religious community studies and ethnological and linguistic surveys. Another source of
interest in Indian studies was more intellectual.
While some western scholars were attracted by the Sanskrit language, Vedic and Aryan
civilization, others were attracted by the nature of its ancient political economy, law and
religion. Beginning from William Jones, Max Muller and others, there was a growth of Indo
logical studies. Karl Marx and Frederic Engels were attracted by the nature of oriental
disposition in India to build their theory of evolution of capitalism.
Similarly, Henry Maine was interested in the Hindu legal system and village communities to
formulate the theory of status to contract. Again, Max Weber got interested in Hinduism and
other oriental religions in the context of developing the theory, namely, the spirit of
capitalism and the principle of rationality developed only in the West.
Thus, Indian society and culture became the testing ground of various theories, and a field to
study such problems as growth of town, poverty, religion, land tenure, village social
organization and other native social institutions. All these diverse interests – academic,
missionary, administrative and political – are reflected in teaching of sociology.

1.6 CHARACTERISITCS OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is a branch of knowledge which has some unique features. It is different from other
sciences in several respects. From studying those characteristics will help one to understand
the field of sociology. Below are the essential characteristics of sociology.
1. It is an Independent Science

16
Sociology is a specific science having its own branches of knowledge. It does not come under
the umbrella of other social or physical sciences. It has its own code of study and a separate
line from other sciences.
2. It Social Science not Physical
Sociology belongs to the family of social sciences and is considered as the mother of all
social sciences. Other social sciences are under the jurisdiction of sociology from one of
other point of view. For this purpose it study the behavior, action and social activities of a
man.
3. It is a Categorical Science
Sociology is not concerned to study the moral or immoral, right or wrong, good and evil
problems. It studies the general phenomena of social life for this it is a categorical science
separate from the judgment of any type of value.
4. Pure Science
Sociology has its theoretical knowledge which is indispensible for sociologists, scientists and
social worker as well as for anthropologists. Its study does not interest in any law making or
public policies and their implementation but study examine only the social aspect of society
that what is happening in the social situation. This study is important for scientists.
5. Sociology is Generalizing not Particular
There is no specification or limitation in the study of social system. It tries to find general law
and principles about human interaction and association.
6. General Science Not Special
The field of sociology is generalized. Other social sciences study a specific aspect of its study
like economics, political science, which is confined to a central point but the discipline of
sociology is generalized.
7. Empirical Science
Rational and empirical are the two main approaches in scientific study. Sociology applies
both the approaches on its stud. Rationalization is the collection of facts while empirical is
the arrangement and coordination of these facts. Facts and theories are interrelated to each
other’s. Theories without facts are empty and facts without theories are blind.

17
1.7 BRANCHES OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology, like other sciences, was affected by many influences, one of which was the
phenomenon of specialization that was clearly manifested with the expansion of the industrial
revolution and the progress of scientific research, so its interests increased and its fields
expand, and each specialized in one aspect of social life.
The different branches of sociology are depicted in the diagram below:

Theoretical Applied Educational Cultural

sociology Sociology sociology sociology

Rural Urban Religious Historical

sociology sociology sociology sociology

Demographic Political Social Medical

sociology sociology Psychology sociology

Industrial Military Criminal Legal

sociology sociology Sociology sociology

Table :1.1 The different branches of sociology are depicted in the diagram below:

1.7.1 Theoretical sociology

Sociological knowledge is composed of complex theoretical frameworks and

[Link] perspectives in sociology are the methods of study of previous
social theories in a scientific manner.
Social theory is an assumption aimed at looking at objects of social reality, analysing and
interpreting them from a social perspective, and mapping the connections between individual
concepts in order to organize and demonstrate social knowledge.

1.7.2 Applied Sociology

Applied sociology is the practical analogs of academic sociology because it involves applying
sociological theory, methods, advanced knowledge and ideas in the field of sociology to
solve real-world problems.

18
Applied sociologists are trained in theory and research methods of discipline, and they base
their research on identifying problems in a society, group, or individual that they live in, then
they create practical strategies and interventions designed to eliminate or reduce the problem.

1.7.3 Educational sociology

The sociology of education is the study of the individual experiences, public institutions and
social factors that influence the educational structures and processes, both within and
between societies.
This branch examines educational methods that lead to an integrated growth of personality
because the main pillar in this branch is that education is a process of socialization that is in
no way separated from social phenomena.

1.7.4 Cultural sociology

Cultural sociology is one of the most important branches of sociology that studies culture
because it is a characteristic of this science.
Cultural sociology is concerned with the study of culture as a purely human characteristic,
with all the attributes, characteristics, and components it carries and with all related concepts
such as civilization, the heritage of societies, and various cultural concepts such as change,
development, cultural invasion, conflict [Link] of culture is usually understood as a
set of symbolic codes used by a society member, as manifested in society.

1.7.5 Rural sociology

Rural sociology is a branch of sociology associated with the study of social structure and
conflict in rural areas.
Rural sociology studies rural society and the relations of the people who live in the
villages. It focuses on how rural people and communities are culturally, socially, politically,
and economically organized.

1.7.6 Urban sociology

Urban sociology is the social study of life and human interaction in urban [Link] is a
normative discipline of sociology that seeks to study environmental processes and structures,
environmental changes and problems in metropolitan areas.
This branch examines the urban impact on the patterns of behavior and relationships of
individuals, examining its origin and methods of its interaction with urban life.

19
1.7.7 Religious sociology

Sociology of religion is the study of the beliefs, practices, morals, ethics and organizational
forms of religion using the quantitative methods and qualitative approaches.
This branch examines with introspection and analysis the religious systems and doctrines that
are widespread in human societies, regarding the multiplicity and the variation of [Link]
social environment surrounding the individual varies in the way of life and the type of social
relationships that constitute it.

1.7.8 Historical sociology

Historical sociology is a subfield of sociology that studies and analyzes social events in
previous societies and deals with its origins and development.
Historical sociology looks at how social structures are shaped by complex social processes
and it focuses on how societies develop through history.

1.7.9 Demographic sociology

Demography in relation to sociology is the study of population numbers, diversity, and

natural distribution in areas where the population is extensively present.
Demographic sociology also studies population divisions, studies the effect of population
changes, from a social point of view, and also studies the factors and direction of population
change.

1.7.10 Political sociology

Political sociology is concerned with the sociological analysis of political phenomena,

studying the impact of social variables on the formation of political power and investigating
topics such as citizenship, social movements, and the sources of social power.

1.7.11 Social Psychology

Social psychology is a type of science that is concerned with studying the behaviour of
individuals and groups in societies, knowing the nature of individuals' influence on the social
factors surrounding them, and determining the methods that are relied upon to deal with these
factors in a correct manner.
Social psychology is also defined as the science concerned with studying the psychological
characteristics of individuals who live in groups in order to identify patterns, the methods on
which they depend on their interaction, and how this interaction affects their individual
personalities.

20
1.7.12 Medical sociology

Medical sociology refers to the merging of medical science with sociology, and it is one of
the sciences that is used to study, analyse, and understand the social context of matters related
to health, disease, and medical care.
Medical sociology is an important science for sociologists, due to the contribution of this
science to causing some fundamental effects and changes in societies.
It helps social workers to restructure and formulate some important and fundamental social
concepts and principles, the most important of which are the formulation of general social
policies, methods of communication, and behaviour in societies.

1.7.13 Industrial sociology

Industrial sociology is the study of the behaviours of people at the workplace and is
concerned with the social formation of industrial organizations and the emerging
relationships between them and the social system in general.
The sociology of work examines the direction and implications of trends in technological
change, labor markets, globalization, managerial practices, work organization, and
employment relations.

1.7.14 Military sociology

Military sociology is an interdisciplinary subfield of sociology that aims to systematically

study the army as a social group rather than as a military organization and it examines issues
such as military social organization, race and gender representation in the military, military
families, military recruiting, war and peace, and the military as welfare.
Military sociology uses social concepts, theories, and methods to analyze the internal
organization, practices, and perceptions of the armed forces as well as civil-military relations
and interactions between other groups or government agencies.

1.7.15 Criminal Sociology

Criminal Sociology (criminology) is concerned with the causes of crime and the social
factors that led to it, as well as the prevalence of crime, its methods, and patterns. It tries to
link this to the different cultures of societies and the different living conditions of individuals.
Sociology of crime aims to empirically understand, develop, and test theories explaining
criminal behaviour, the social structural factors, the formation and enforcement of laws, and
the operation of the criminal justice system.

21
1.7.16 Legal sociology

Sociology of law (or legal sociology) refers to the sociological study of law and legal systems
and their relationship to social structure.
Sociology of law focuses on understanding legal mechanisms and legal practice, as well as
establishing the foundation of jurisprudence.

1.8 SCOPE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is an exciting and illuminating field of study that analyses and explains important
matters in our personal lives, our communities, and the world. At the personal level,
sociology investigates the social causes and consequences of such things as romantic love,
racial and gender identity, family conflict, deviant behaviour, aging, and religious faith. At
the societal level, sociology examines and explains matters like crime and law, poverty and
wealth, prejudice and discrimination, schools and education, business firms, urban
community, and social movements.
At the global level, sociology studies such phenomena as population growth and migration,
war and peace, and economic development.
Sociology offers a distinctive and enlightening way of seeing and understanding the social
world in which we live and which shapes our lives. Sociology looks beyond normal, taken-
for-granted views of reality, to provide deeper, more illuminating and challenging
understandings of social life.
Through its particular analytical perspective, social theories, and research methods, sociology
is a discipline that expands our awareness and analysis of the human social relationships,
cultures, and institutions that profoundly shape both our lives and human history.

1.9LET’S SUM IT UP

 Sociology is the study of groups and group interactions, societies and social
[Link] is rich in scope, and it analyses the significance of various
social institutions in an individual’s life.
 Sociologists study all aspects and levels of society.
 At the individual level, sociology studies different aspects of an individual’s life like
marriage, divorce, family and adoption.
22
  At the level of community, it is indulged in community practices to explore concepts
like socialisation, social stratification, religion and conflict.
 It also helps to develop a social lens and perspective around global issues like racism,
poverty, economic systems, labour markets, and politics.
 It is a relatively new discipline as compared to other social sciences. It deals with the
structure and formation of society and how individual and collective decisions impact
society.
 Sociology studies different patterns of society, its history and its evolution. In short, it
focuses on understanding why humans behave in a certain way, how different
functions of society impact them and how they act in their surrounding environment.
 In addition to studying a minuscule part of society, it can also look at a huge portion
of society.
 All sociologists are interested in the experiences of individuals and how those
experiences are shaped by interactions with social groups and society as a whole. To a
sociologist, the personal decisions an individual makes do not exist in a vacuum.
 Cultural patterns and social forces put pressure on people to select one choice over
another. Sociologists try to identify these general patterns by examining the behaviour
of large groups of people living in the same society and experiencing the same
societal pressures.

1.10KEY WORDS

Science: Knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of

general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method
Natural Science: Any of the sciences (such as physics, chemistry, or biology) that deal with
matter, energy, and their interrelations and transformations or with objectively measurable
phenomena
Social Science: A branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human
society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society.
Sociology: The systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective
behaviour of organized groups of human beings
Society: An organized group working together or periodically meeting because of common
interests, beliefs, or profession

23
1.11 SOME USEFUL BOOKS

Margaret Andersen and Howard Taylor, Sociology: Understanding a Diverse Society.

Jeanne H. Ballantine and Keith A. Roberts. Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology.
2006. Pine Forge Press.
Dalton Conley. 2009. You May Ask Yourself: An Introduction to Thinking Like a
Sociologist. New York: W.W. Norton.
Susan J. Ferguson, Mapping the Social Landscape. (A reader – Many of the textbooks also
have associated readers.)
Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, and Richard Appelbaum. Introduction to Sociology.
Jeff Goodwin and James Jasper. 2007. The Contexts Reader. New York: W.W. Norton.
James Henslin, Essentials of Sociology.
William Kornblum and Carolyn Smith. Sociology in a Changing World
John J. Macionis and Ken Plummer, Sociology: A Global Introduction.
Richard T. Schaefer. Sociology, 10th Edition.
Henry Tischler, Introduction to Sociology, 9th Edition.
Selected Short Introductory Books in Sociology, Prepared by Caroline Persell
Giddens, Anthony. 1987. Sociology: A Brief but Critical Introduction. Second Edition. New
York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Levin, W. C. (1994). Sociological Ideas: Concepts and Applications. Belmont, CA,
Wadsworth.

1.12ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Refer 1 for Answer to check your progress- 1

Q. 1The two branches of science are natural sciences and social sciences
Refer 2 for Answer to check your progress- 1
Q. 2 Some of the fields in natural sciences are physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy,
geology
Refer 3 for Answer to check your progress- 1
Q. 3 Some of the fields in social science are sociology, psychology, economics, history,
anthropology

24
1.13TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. Why is sociology considered to be a science?

2. Write in detail The different characteristics of sociology.
3. Name some pf the subfields of sociology.
4. Write in detail about the scope of sociology.
5. Write about the historical development of Sociology.
6. What is the modern history of sociology?
7 Write in detail about the history of development of the field of sociology in India.

25