national law university and judicial academy, assam

programme: b.a.,ll.b (hons.)fyic

details of course offered

Odd semester (I) – academic year …………………..

sl. course course title

no code l t/p cr ch
1 BL102.5 introduction 4 1 4
(socology to sociology per per
major-i) week week

a. code and title of the course: Bl102.5 (Sociology major-I),

introduction to sociology

b. course credit: 4 (total marks: 200)

c. medium of instruction: english

d. course compiled by: preeti priyam sharma

e. course instructor: preeti priyam sharma

1. Course Objectives

Some of the Objectives of the course are outlined below:

1. To develop among the students of B.A., LL.B (Hons.), an understanding of the basic
concepts and methods of sociology
2. To enable them to look at the society around them in a scientific manner guided by
sociological concepts and methods
3. To enable them to develop critical thinking, an ability to absorb and utilize abstract
ideas, concepts and theories.
4. To familiarize the students with the rich contributions of the classical sociologists
who shaped the contours of the discipline

2. Teaching Methodology

The methodology is not a traditional lecture method but participatory teaching method
with the use of smart classroom technology for lectures, presentation and discussions.
Films like To Kill a Mocking Bird, the Return of the Mohicans will be screened to
acquaint students with key sociological concepts and critical thinking.

A field trip which will enable students to understand the nuances of Data collection and
practical application of the various processes of Data Collection will be conducted.

3. Course Learning outcomes

Through this course, it is hoped that the students will:

i. Understand some of the basic concepts of society and the basic research methods of
sociology
ii. Understand the basic contributions of the ‘founding fathers’ to the discipline of
sociology
iii. Develop an understanding of the theoretical perspectives of sociology and also learn
how to apply them to create sociological knowledge
iv. Overcome some of their pro-conceived notions and prejudices about society and
develop a scientific worldview
4. Course Evaluation Method
The course evaluation is divided into:
Internal Assessment: 70% (140 Marks)
Semester End Examination: 30% (60 Marks)

Sl Marks Distribution
No
1 Project Work 40 marks

2 Seminar/Group Discussion 20 marks

3 Assignment/Assessment 30 marks

4 Mid-Semester Test 40 marks

5 Attendance in class 10 marks
6 Semester End Examination 60 marks

5. Detailed Structure Of The Course (Specifying Course Modules

And Prescribed Reading List)

MODULE I

 Introduction to Sociology: origin of sociology, Nature of Sociology, Scope of

Sociology, Sociology and Commonsense, The Sociological Imagination,
 Relation between Sociology and Law, Sociology and History, Sociology and
Political Science, Sociology and Economics, Sociology and Anthropology, Sociology
and Psychology
 Perspectives of Sociology- Functionalist perspective, Conflict perspective: Marxist
perspective & Feminist perspective, Interactionist perspective

Prescribed Readings

i. Beteille, Andre, Sociology, Oxford University Press, New Delhi,2013, Ch- 1, pp- 9-
20, Ch- 2, pp- 21-35, Ch-3,pp- 36-51, Ch-7, pp-148- 170, Ch- 9, pp- 184-200, Ch-10,
pp- 201-224, Ch-11, pp- 225- 245

ii. Haralambos, M., R.M. Heald, Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, Oxford
University Press, New Delhi, 2010, Ch-1, pp 1-21, Ch- 8, pp- 325-368, Ch-10, pp-
406-452
 iii. Horton, Paul B., Chester L. Hunt, Sociology, Tata McGraw- Hill, New Delhi, 2012,
Ch-1, pp- 3-20, Ch-3, pp-51-77, Ch-4, pp- 79-103, Ch-5, pp-104-128, Ch-7, pp- 154-
181, Ch- 10, pp- 230-262, Ch-14, pp- 343- 367
iv. Giddens, Anthony, Sociology, Wiley India, New Delhi, 2010, Ch- 1, pp- 3-32, Ch- 3,
pp-67-106, Ch-9, pp- 327- 382
v. Bottomore, T.B., Sociology: A Guide to Problems and Literature, Blackie & Son,
New Delhi, 1986, Ch- 1, pp-15-81, Ch- 13, pp-229- 236, Ch -14, pp- 237- 249, Ch-15,
250- 261
vi. Oommen T.K., C.N.Venugopal, Sociology for Law Students, Eastern Book Company,
New Delhi,2016, Ch-20, pp- 201-219
vii. Mills, C.W., Sociological Imagination, New York, Oxford University Press, 1959

MODULE II

 Basic Concepts of Sociology: Association, Community, Institution,

 Culture and Society: Characteristics and Classification of Culture, Ethnocentrism,
Xenocentrism, Cultural Relativism and Cultural Diversity
 Social Groups: Primary Group Secondary Group In Group Out Group Reference
Group Voluntary Group Involuntary Group
 Social Order: Social Structure, Social Functions, Status and Role, Social Values and
Social Norms, Customs, Folkways, Mores, Etiquette, Fashion, Fad, Law, Public
Opinion
 Socialization: Child Socialization, Adult Socialisation, Selected Agencies of
Socialization, Theories of Socialization, Sigmund Freud, G.H. Mead, C.H. Cooley
 Custom and Law: Relationship between Custom and Law, Difference between
Custom and Law

Prescribed Readings

i. Beteille, Andre, Sociology, Oxford University Press, New Delhi,2013, Ch- 1, pp- 9-
20, Ch- 2, pp- 21-35, Ch-3,pp- 36-51, Ch-7, pp-148- 170, Ch- 9, pp- 184-200, Ch-
10, pp- 201-224, Ch-11, pp- 225- 245

ii. Haralambos, M., R.M. Heald, Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, Oxford
University Press, New Delhi, 2010, Ch-1, pp 1-21, Ch- 8, pp- 325-368, Ch-10, pp-
406-452
iii. Horton, Paul B., Chester L. Hunt, Sociology, Tata McGraw- Hill, New Delhi, 2012,
Ch-1, pp- 3-20, Ch-3, pp-51-77, Ch-4, pp- 79-103, Ch-5, pp-104-128, Ch-7, pp-
154-181, Ch- 10, pp- 230-262, Ch-14, pp- 343- 367
iv. Giddens, Anthony, Sociology, Wiley India, New Delhi, 2010, Ch- 1, pp- 3-32, Ch- 3,
pp-67-106, Ch-9, pp- 327- 382
v. Bottomore, T.B., Sociology: A Guide to Problems and Literature, Blackie & Son,
New Delhi, 1986, Ch- 1, pp-15-81, Ch- 13, pp-229- 236, Ch -14, pp- 237- 249, Ch-
15, 250- 261
vi. Thakur, Navendu K., An Introduction to Sociology, Central Law Publications,
Allahabad, 2015, Ch- 6, pp- 50- 63,

MODULE III

 Marriage in India, Basic Concepts, Forms of Marriage, Changes in the Institution of

Marriage, Marriage as a Sacrament, Marriage as a Contract,
 Kinship, Basic Concepts: Descent, Residence, Incest, Consanguinity, Affinity,
Family, Types and Degrees of Kinship, Kinship Terminology, Different Kinship
Structures, Kinship and Gender, Relatedness, Re-imagining Families,

Prescribed Readings:

i. Haralambos, M., R.M. Heald, Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, Oxford

University Press, New Delhi, 2010, Ch-1, pp 1-21,Ch- 8, pp- 325-368, Ch-10, pp-
406-452

ii. Horton, Paul B., Chester L. Hunt, Sociology, Tata McGraw- Hill, New Delhi, 2012,
Ch-1, pp- 3-20, Ch-3, pp-51-77, Ch-4, pp- 79-103, Ch-5, pp-104-128, Ch-7, pp- 154-
181, Ch- 10, pp- 230-262, Ch-14, pp- 343- 367
iii. Giddens, Anthony, Sociology, Wiley India, New Delhi, 2010, Ch- 1, pp- 3-32, Ch- 3,
pp-67-106, Ch-9, pp- 327- 382
iv. Bottomore, T.B., Sociology: A Guide to Problems and Literature, Blackie & Son,
New Delhi, 1986, Ch- 1, pp-15-81, Ch- 13, pp-229- 236, Ch -14, pp- 237- 249, Ch-15,
250- 261
 v. Zimmerman Carle C., “The Nature of the Family”, Patel Tulsi, Family in India:
Structure and Practice, Sage, New Delhi, 2005, Ch-2, pp-2
vi. Fox, Robin, “Kinship & Marriage: An Anthropological Perspective”, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, 2006, Ch- 1, pp- 27- 53, Ch-2, pp- 54- 76, Ch-3, pp- 77-
121, Ch-4, pp- 97- 121, Ch-5, pp- 122- 145, Ch- 6, pp- 146-174, Ch- 7, pp- 175- 207

MODULE IV

Contributions of the founding fathers of sociology

 Auguste Comte- the law of three stages, hierarchy of sciences, positivism

 Karl Marx- historical materialism, alienation, social Class,
 Emile Durkheim- the division of labour in society, social fact, the suicide, religion
and society
 Max Weber- social action, rationalisation, bureaucracy, the protestant ethic and the
spirit of capitalism, class, status and party

Prescribed Readings:

i. Aron, Raymond, Main Currents in Sociological Thought, Harmondsworth,

Middlesex, Penguin Books, 1967. Volume one pp. 145- 226, Volume Two pp. 11-
115, 219-307

ii. Coser, Lewis, A., Masters of Sociological Thought, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New
York, 1979

iii. Fletcher, R., The Making of Sociology, Volume I and Volume II, Indian Edition,
Rawat Publications, Jaipur, 1994.

iv. Morrison, Ken, Marx, Durkheim, Weber: Formation of Modern Social Thought,
Sage Publications, London, 1995.

v. Ritzer, G. Sociological Theory, New York, Mc Graw Hill Companies, 2011, Ch 1,

pp-3-36, Ch 2, pp 39-65, Ch 3, pp 107-141

vi. Wallace Ruth A., Alison Wolf, Contemporary Sociological Theory, Prentice Hall of
India, New Delhi, 2006, Ch- 2, pp 25-57