The fundamentals of sociology provide a foundational understanding of key concepts, theories, and methodologies that enable individuals to analyze social phenomena and the complexities of human interactions. Key concepts in sociology include socialization, which is the process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms and values of their society social stratification, which examines the hierarchical organization of individuals based on factors such as class, race, and gender; and deviance, which explores behaviors that deviate from societal norms and the social reactions to such behaviors.
By examining the complexities of human interactions and the factors that shape individual experiences, fundamentals of sociology foster critical thinking and empathy, equipping individuals to engage with social issues and contribute to more equitable societies. Ultimately, it empowers people to understand their roles as active participants in the social world.
Table of Contents
Fundamentals of Sociology Syllabus
Course Objectives of Fundamentals of Sociology
Fundamentals of Sociology aims to provide students with basic sociological concepts that will help students understand various ideas on society, culture, groups, organizations, etc. By knowing all these concepts, students’ knowledge of organization, business, and management will be enhanced such that they will be able to apply their enriched knowledge in their future careers and endeavors.
Course Description of Fundamentals of Sociology
This course presents basic ideas and foundations of sociology through an argument of various sociological variables, terms, terminology, and subject matter. Fundamentals of Sociology includes, besides an introduction to sociology, basic sociological ideas like society, culture, norms, and values groups. It comprises social institutions like religion, family, and others, which help students understand more about existing social structures.
More importantly, the course has tried to explain the basic sociological theories, social change, some emerging social perceptions, and an understanding of sexuality, crime, and deviance. Moreover, Max Weber’s theory of bureaucracy, group and group behavior, and sociology theories of organization are no less important to include in the course, since they will entail a nexus between sociology and management and basic sociological tenets.
Course Outcomes from Fundamentals of Sociology
By the completion of this course, the students should be able to:
- Know the basic ideas on the emergence of sociology, methods of study, subject matter, and nature of sociology.
- Exhibit an understanding of the relationship of sociology with other social sciences and business management.
- Express the knowledge on foundations of sociology like society, culture, group, norms, values, etc., along with ideas on sexuality, crime, etc.
- Analyze various social institutions like family, economic institutions, and religion.
- Understand and evaluate basic sociological theories and their connotations to management;
- Can discuss social stratification to view how societies are divided into different groups based on power, prestige, and property and create inequality;
- Evaluate the ideas of social change and socialization.
Course Contents
Unit I: Introduction to Sociology (6 hours)
Meaning of sociology, nature of sociology, the subject matter of sociology, the emergence of sociology, and methods of sociology along with a brief description of the contribution of the founders of sociology, the Relationship of sociology with economics, psychology, political science, and business management.
Unit II: Theoretical Perspective in Sociology (8 hours)
- Functionalism: Meaning, context, basic tenets or key assumptions: Functionalism of Emile Durkheim and Talcott Parsons (Basic ideas with criticism).
- Interactionism: Meaning, context, basic tenets or key assumptions: Interactionism of George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer (Basic ideas and criticism).
- Conflict theory: Meaning, context, basic tenets or key assumptions: Conflict theory of Karl Marx and Max Weber (basic ideas and criticism).
- Postmodernism: Meaning, context, basic tenets or key assumptions: Post Modernism of Fredric Jameson and Jean Baudrillard (basic ideas and criticism).
Unit III: The Foundations of Society (14 hours)
- Society: Meaning, Definition, nature, and types (Industrial and pre-industrial).
- Culture: Meaning, definition, features and functions; types (material and non-material); subculture
- (youth, ethnic, and age sub-culture vis-a-vis society and organization, e.g. Consumer behavior, organizational culture)
- Norms, values, status, and role: meaning, definition, and types; linkage to business and management
- Socialization: Meaning, definition, and function of socialization; agents of socialization; types of socialization (primary and secondary socialization); theories of primary socialization; personality and socialization
- Group and organization: Group- meaning, definition, and features; types (various types with focusing on primary and secondary groups). Organization- meaning, definition (view from founding fathers of sociology); formal and informal organization; Max Weber’s Bureaucracy; sociology of organization; work and leisure; group dynamics; dynamics of social capital
- Sexuality: understanding sexuality; sexual issues (pornography, teen pregnancy, prostitution and sexual violence, sexual abuse)
- Crime and deviance: Meaning, definition, and difference between them
- Conformity and sanction: meaning and definition
Unit IV: Social stratification (7 hours)
Meaning definition and features; Functional and conflict approach to social stratification; Stratification and inequality; Class, caste, ethnicity, and gender as various aspects of social stratification – Meaning, definition, features and Nepalese context.
Unit V: Social Institution (7 hours)
Meaning, definition, features, function, and types (as required by subject matter): family, marriage, polity, economic institution, religion (along with dysfunction), educational institution; Conflict and functional approach to religion and education; Nepalese context.
Unit VI: Social change (6 hours)
Meaning, definition, and features; Factors of social change; Conflict approach to social change; Application and experiences in Nepalese society.
Basic Text
1. Horton, P. B., & Haunt, C. L. Sociology. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill.
References
1. Abraham, M. F. Contemporary Sociology: an introduction to concepts and theories. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
2. Abraham, M. F. Modern Sociological Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
3. Bhandari, U. et al. Sociology for Management. Kathmandu: Buddha Academic Enterprises.
4. Etzioni, A. Modern Organization. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India. Pvt. Ltd.
5. Haralombos, M., & Heald, R. M. Society: Themes and Perspective. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
6. Inkeles, A. What is Sociology? An Introduction to Discipline and Profession. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Pvt. Ltd.
7. Macionis, J. J. Sociology. New Delhi: Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd.
8. Ritzer, G. Modern Sociological Theory. USA: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
9. Solomon, M. R. Consumer Behaviour: Buying, Having and Being (8th ed.). New Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
10. Turner, J. H. The Structure of Sociological Theory. Jaipur: Rawat publication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sociology serves as a vital tool for understanding the intricate dynamics of society and human behavior. By exploring key concepts, theories, and methodologies, it equips individuals with the insights needed to analyze social phenomena critically. This understanding fosters greater awareness of social issues, encourages empathy, and empowers individuals to engage meaningfully in their communities, ultimately contributing to a more just and equitable society.
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