Sociological Approaches and Theories

Paper Code: 
SOC 221
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Objectives:

The  objectives of this course are:

  1. To introduce the students to the substantive, theoretical and methodological issues which have shaped the sociological thinking in the latter half of the 20th century,
  2. To focus on structural, functional and conflict theories, and symbolic interactionism, phenomenology and ethnomethodology.
  3. To examine the theoretical relevance and analytical utility of the premises, methodology and conclusions of theories and perspectives.

 

Course Outcomes(COs)

 

COURSE

 

Learning outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment strategies

 

Paper code

 

 

 

Paper title

 

SOC 221

Sociological Theories and Approaches

 

CO26:.Explain the meaning of sociological theory and interpret various sociological perspectives.

CO27:.Critically evaluate the sociological relevance of the theories incontemporary society

CO28:Develop theoretical insights for interpreting social scenario

Approach in teaching:

 

Lecture and Classroom discussions(Tool-Power Point Presentations), Learning activities for the students :

Classroom discussions based on real life situations

Continuous Assessment test on the topic/quiz, student presentations and assignments.

 
 
12.00
Unit I: 
Sociological Theory: Meaning, Nature and Types
  • Radcliffe Brown’s Structural Theory
  • Merton’s Structural Functional Model
12.00
Unit II: 
Structural-Functionalism
  • Durkheim
  • Parsons
12.00
Unit III: 
Conflict Theory
  • Marxian theory of conflict

Dahrendorf’s functional analysis of conflict

12.00
Unit IV: 
Symbolic Interactionsim
  • George Herbert Mead’s, ‘The Self’
  • Herbert Blumer’s, ‘Interpretation’
12.00
  • Phenomenological Sociology: Alfred Schutz                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Ethnomethodology: Harold Garfinkel

Essential Readings: 

Core Readings

  • Ritzer, George, 2010(8th edition). Sociological Theory, New York: Mc Graw Hill

 

  • Delaney, Tim, 2008: Contemporary Social Theory, New Delhi: Pearson Education

 

Supplementary Readings

 

  • Ritzer, George, 2018.Frontiers of Social Theory-The New Synthesis. New Delhi: Rawat Publications

 

  • Zeitlin, Irving M., 1998:  Rethinking Sociology, Jaipur: Rawat

 

  • Turner, Jonathan H., 1995:  The Structure of Sociological Theory, Jaipur: Rawat Publications
  • Wallace, Ruth A & Alison Wolf, 2006: New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India

Journals

 

  • British Journal of Sociology, Wiley and Sons
  • European Sociological Review, Oxford University Press
  • European Journal of Social Theory, Sage Publications
Academic Session: 
2020-21
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