Sociological Theories and Approaches

Paper Code: 
SOC221
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

On completion of this course, the students will be able to;

CO28:Explain the meaning of sociological theory and interpret various sociological perspectives.

CO29:.Critically evaluate the sociological relevance of the theories incontemporary society

CO30:Develop theoretical insights for interpreting social scenario

CO31:Apply the idea that there are different perspectives to understand a social phenomena

CO32: Analyse the methodological shift in sociological over the years

Lecture and Classroom discussions(Tool-Power Point Presentations),Classroom discussions based on real life situations

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

 

 

12.00
Unit I: 
Unit I
  • Sociological Theory: Meaning, Nature and Types
  • Radcliffe Brown’s Structural Theory
  • Merton’s Structural Functional Model

 

12.00
Unit II: 
Unit II

Structural-Functionalism                                                       

  • Durkheim
  • Parsons

 

 

12.00
Unit III: 
Unit III

Conflict Theory                                                                  

  • Marxian theory of conflict
  • Dahrendorf’s functional analysis of conflict

 

 

12.00
Unit IV: 
Unit IV

Symbolic Interactionism:                                                     

  • George Herbert Mead’s, ‘The Self’
  • Herbert Blumer’s, ‘Interpretation’

 

12.00
Unit V: 
Unit V
  • Phenomenological Sociology: Alfred Schutz                                                                                                                                                                                        
  • Ethnomethodology: Harold Garfinkel

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Ritzer, George, 2010(8th edition). Sociological Theory, New York: Mc Graw Hill
  • Delaney, Tim, 2008: Contemporary Social Theory, New Delhi: Pearson Education

 

 

References: 
  • 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

 

e-RESOURCES:

 

JOURNALS:

  • British Journal of Sociology, Wiley and Sons
  • European Sociological Review, Oxford University Press
  • European Journal of Social Theory, Sage Publications

 

 

 

 

 

Academic Session: 
2023-24
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