B.A. LL.B. (Five Years) Sociology Minor-I-3: Recent Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Syllabus - KSLU 2026

• Course-III Sociology
• Minor-I-3: Recent Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Objective:

• The aim of this course is to introduce the contributions of pioneers, prominent thinkers to the students of Sociology. The main focus of this course will be on Structural-Functionalism, Conflict theory and feminist theories. The course will also examine the recent theoretical relevance and analytical utility of Post Modern Social theories.

2. Introduction

• g. Nature of Sociological Theories : Sociological Theories and Social Theories
• h. Concepts, Theories and Paradigms
• i. Sociological Theorization in Sociology
• j. Levels of Theorization in Sociology (Middle Range Theories and Grand Theories)
• k. Elements of Theory (Concepts, Variables, Statements and Formats)
• l. Relationship between Theory and Research

2. Structural-Functionalism

• f. Concept of Social Structure : A.R Radicliffe Brawn
• g. The Problem of Role Analysis : S.F Nadel
• h. Analytical Functionalism of Talcot Parsons (Structure of Social Action, The Social System, AGIL, Functional Pre-requisites
• i. Empirical Functionalism of R. K Merton (Postulates, Paradigms of Functional Analysis, Social Structure and Anomie
• j. Neo-Functionalism

4. Conflict Theory

• f. Emergence of Conflict Theories
• g. Marxian Theory of Class Conflict, Alienation and Critic of Marxian Theory
• h. Dialectical Conflict Theory of Ralf Dahrendorf
• i. Conflict Functionalism of Coser and Simmel

4. Feminist Theories

• c. Historical Roots : Feminism and Sociology
• d. Marxist Feminism
• c. Liberal Feminism
• d. Post modern Feminism
• e. Eco-feminism
• f. Black feminism

5. Post modern Social Theories

• f. Classical Theories on Modernity (Durkheim, Weber, Marx and Simmel)
• g. The Juggernaut of Modernity -Anthony Giddens
• h. Risk Society of Ulrich Beck
• i. McDonaldization, Globalization and Americanization of George Ritzer
• j. Contribution of J Derrida and Focault
• j. Critics of Modern Social Theories

References:

• 1. Alexander, Jeffrey C. 1987. Twenty lectures: Sociological theory since World War II. New York: Columbia University Press.
• 2. Bottomore, Tom. 1984. The Frankfurt school. Chester, Sussex: Ellis Horwood and London: Tavistock Publications.
• 3. Craib, Ian. 1992. Modern social theory: From Parsons to Habermas (2nd edition). London: Harvester Press.
• 4. Collins, Randall. 1997 (Indian edition). Sociological Theory. Jaipur and New Delhi: Rawat.
• 5. Giddens, Anthony. 1983. Central Problems in Social Theory: Action, structure and contradiction in social analysis. London: Macmillan.
• 6. Kuper, Adam. 1975. Anthropologists and Anthropology: The British School, 1922-72. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin Books.
• 7. Kuper, Adam and Jessica Kuper (eds.). 1996 (2nd edition). The Social Science Encyclopaedia. London and New York: Routledge.
• 8. Ritzer, George. 1992 (3rd edition). Sociological Theory. New York: McGraw-Hill.
• 9. Sturrock, John (ed.). 1979. Structuralism and since: From Levi Strauss to Derida. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• 10. Turner, Jonathan H. 1995 (4th edition). The Structure of Sociological Theory. Jaipur and New Delhi: Rawat.
• 11. Zeitlin, Irving M. 1998 (Indian edition). Rethinking Sociology: A Critique of Contemporary Theory. Jaipur and New Delhi: Rawat.
• 12. Zetlin Irving. 1969. Ideology and Development of Sociological Theory. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India. Pvt. Ltd.
• 13. David Ashley and David Michael Orenstein. 2007 (6th edition). Sociological Theory: Classical Statements , Delhi : Pearsons
• 14. Bert N Adams and R A Sydie. 2001. Sociological Theory, New Delhi: Vistar Publications.
• 15. Tim Dalaney.2008. Contemporary Social Theory. India: Pearson.
• 16. Francis Abraham and John Henry Morgan.2002. Sociological Thoughts. Delhi: MacMillan.
• 17. Paramjit S. Judge.2012. Foundations of Classical Sociological Theory: Functionalism, Conflict and Action, Delhi : Pearson
• 18. Haralambos & Holborn. 2008. Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. London:Collins
• 19. Lewis Coser. 2001. Masters of Sociological thought (2nd edition) Jaipur & New Delhi: Rawat Publications.