Theoretical Perspectives of Sociology Notes | B.A. LL.B. (Five Years) Semester 2 | SPPU | munotes

Contents

Module 01 Introduction

1. What Sociology Is 1
2. The Nature and Scope of Sociology 7
3. The Elements of Theory: Concepts, Variables, Statements and Formats 12
4. Concepts, Theories and Paradigms 15
5. Sociological Theorization: How Sociologists Build Theory 19
6. Levels of Theorization: Grand Theories and Middle Range Theories 22
7. The Relationship between Theory and Research 26
8. From Social Philosophy to Sociology: the Transition 29
9. The Emergence of Sociology: the Socio-political and Intellectual Forces 33
10. Modernization and Industrialization 37
11. Reform Movements: the Brahmo Samaj, the Arya Samaj and the Ramakrishna Mission 41
12. Reform Movements: Western India and the Aligarh Movement 51
13. The Development of Sociology in India 62

Module 02 Schools of Sociological Theory and Content of Theories - an Overview

1. Why a Law Student Studies Sociology 66
2. The Relation of Law and Society 71
3. Sociological Theories and Their Relationship to Law 76
4. Law and Social Change 79
5. The Functionalist Perspective 85
6. Parsons: AGIL and the Functional Prerequisites 89
7. The Conflict Perspective 94
8. Weber: Social Action and Its Types 98
9. Parsons: The Structure of Social Action 104
10. Symbolic Interactionism 108

Module 03 Significant Western Sociological Thinkers

1. Auguste Comte 112
2. Herbert Spencer: Social Darwinism and Super-organic Evolution 117
3. The Evolutionary Perspective 120
4. The Division of Labour 124
5. Durkheim: Division of Labour and Social Solidarity 129
6. Durkheim: The Theory of Suicide 134
7. Durkheim: The Theory of Religion 139
8. Marx: Historical and Dialectical Materialism 144
9. Marx: Theory of Social Class and Social Conflict 149
10. Marx: Alienation 154
11. Work and Alienation 159
12. Weber: Power and Authority 163
13. Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism 168
14. Social Determinants of Economic Development 173
15. Weber: Bureaucracy 178

Module 04 Significant Indian Sociological Thinkers

1. G. S. Ghurye and Irawati Karve: The Indological Perspective 183
2. M. N. Srinivas: Caste, Sanskritisation and the Dominant Caste 186
3. Caste 189
4. Sanskritisation and Westernization 194
5. A. R. Desai: The Marxist Perspective 198
6. Andre Beteille: Caste, Class and Power 201
7. Social Stratification 204
8. Class 209
9. Gail Omvedt: Anti-caste, Environmental, Farmers' and Women's Movements 214
10. The Women's Movement in India 217

Module 05 Introduction to Feminist Theories

1. The Feminist Perspective 221
2. Feminism and Sociology: The Historical Roots 225
3. Liberal Feminism 231
4. Marxist Feminism 235
5. Black Feminism 239
6. Eco-Feminism 243
7. Postmodern Feminism 247
8. Current Debates in Feminist Theory 251