NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND

JUDICIAL ACADEMY, ASSAM

B.A.,LL.B.(HONS.) FIVE YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE

1.4 SOCIOLOGY ONE

TEACHER-IN-CHARGE
PREETI PRIYAM SHARMA

ACADEMIC SESSION
2011-2012
NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND JUDICIAL ACADEMY, ASSAM
 B.A.,LL.B. (HONS.) FIVE YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2011-2012
1.4 SOCIOLOGY ONE

MAXIMUM MARKS = 100 (ONE HUNDRED) TEACHING HOURS =

90 (NINETY)
EXAM DURATION = 03 (THREE) HOURS COURSE CREDITS = 05
(FIVE) CREDITS
OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE

This course is designed to give to students an introductory overview of the rich and complex discipline of
sociology. Students will learn about the basic concepts of sociology, theories and methods, and will practice
thinking like sociologists by viewing the world through a sociological lens. The course will also explore some of the
important areas of research within sociology, such as culture, social inequality and social change.

Through this course, we aim at developing a sociological imagination among the students, and to build a
sociological tool kit containing methods, theories, and concepts for the social world around them, to enable them
to evaluate the available laws, the society’s law requirements and their ramification sociologically and to examine
the social events and realities from multiple theoretical perspectives. The ultimate goal of teaching this course is to
refine skills in critical thinking and verbal and written expression wherein the students can apply sociologically
derived knowledge for better understanding of the social institutions and of the various complex social processes.

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Module One of the course deals with the introductory aspects about the discipline of sociology. It also deals with
various qualitative social research methods in addition to the general Research Methodology Paper being taught in
the same semester. Finally, the last part of the module deals with the major sociological perspectives and with the
thinkers associated with them.

Module Two of the course deals with the multiple concepts of sociology at the introductory level. Terms like
‘Society’, ‘Community’ etc. are explained within the fixed disciplinary connotations of sociology. This module
equips the students with the conceptual tools to look at the same society with deeper understanding of facts and
events.

Module Three of the course takes a look at the various institutions within society, and examines it within the
sociological framework and tries to make the students understand the changes that these institutions are
undergoing in a rapidly changing world.

Module Four of the course takes a look at the various social processes like inequality, social change and social
control. The students of Law especially stand to gain by understanding these processes which are responsible for
most law and order challenges of any contemporary civil society. They need to objectively look at the social
process of which they have been a part of so far in life, and understand and work towards the amelioration of the
legal system.

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 NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND JUDICIAL ACADEMY, ASSAM
B.A.,LL.B. (HONS.) FIVE YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2011-2012
1.4 SOCIOLOGY ONE

MAXIMUM MARKS = 100 (ONE HUNDRED) TEACHING HOURS =

90 (NINETY)
EXAM DURATION = 03 (THREE) HOURS COURSE CREDITS = 05
(FIVE) CREDITS
MODULE ONE
1. INTRODUCTION TO 2. METHODS OF 3. THEORETICAL
SOCIOLOGY SOCIOLOGY PERSPECTIVES
AND MAJOR THINKERS OF
SOCIOLOGY
1.1 Nature of Sociology 2.1 The Case Study Method 3.1 Evolutionary
1.2 Scope of Sociology 2.2 The Comparative Method Perspective
1.3 Importance of Sociology 2.3 The Historical Method
1.4 Relation Between Sociology 2.4 The Experimental Method 3.1.1 Auguste Comte
and Anthropology 2.5 Issues of Objectivity and 3.1.2 Herbert Spencer
1.5 Relation Between Sociology Value Neutrality / Value-
and Economics Freedom 3.2 Functionalism
1.6 Relation Between Sociology
and Law 3.2.1 Emile Durkheim
1.7 Relation Between Sociology
and History 3.3 Conflict Perspective
1.8 Relation Between Sociology
and Political Science 3.3.1 Karl Marx
1.9 Relation Between Sociology
and Psychology 3.4. Interactionism

3.4.1 Max Weber

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 3.4.2 C.H. Cooley
3.4.3 G.H. Mead

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND JUDICIAL ACADEMY, ASSAM

B.A.,LL.B. (HONS.) FIVE YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2011-2012
1.4 SOCIOLOGY ONE

MAXIMUM MARKS = 100 (ONE HUNDRED) TEACHING HOURS =

90 (NINETY)
EXAM DURATION = 03 (THREE) HOURS COURSE CREDITS = 05
(FIVE) CREDITS
MODULE TWO
1. BASIC CONCEPTS OF 3. STATUS AND 4. SOCIAL GROUPS 5. SOCIALIZATION
SOCIOLOGY ROLE
1.1 Association 3.1 Concepts of 4.1 Primary Group 5.1 Agencies of
1.2 Community Status 4.2 Secondary Socialization
1.3 Institution 3.2 Achieved Group 5.2 Theories of
1.4 Organization Status 4.3 In Group Socialization
1.5 Society 3.3 Ascribed 4.4 Out Group 5.3 Sigmund Freud
Status 4.5 Reference 5.4 G.H. Mead
3.2 Relation Group 5.5 C.H.Cooley
Between 4.6 Voluntary
2. CULTURE OF SOCIETY Role and Group
Status 4.7 Involuntary
2.1 Characteristics and 3.3 Concepts of Group
Classification of Culture Role 4.8 Patterned
2.2 Types and Concepts of Group
Culture 4.9 Non-Patterned
2.3 Ethnocentrism, Group
Xenocentrism
2.4 Cultural Relativism and
Cultural Diversity

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NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND JUDICIAL ACADEMY, ASSAM
B.A.,LL.B. (HONS.) FIVE YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2011-2012
1.4 SOCIOLOGY ONE

MAXIMUM MARKS = 100 (ONE HUNDRED) TEACHING HOURS =

90 (NINETY)
EXAM DURATION = 03 (THREE) HOURS COURSE CREDITS = 05
(FIVE) CREDITS
MODULE – THREE
1. INSTITUTIONS IN SOCIETY
1.1 Kinship 1.2 Institution of 1.3 Family 1.4 Religious Institutions
Marriage
1.1.1 Types and 1.3.1 Origin of 1.4.1 Meaning and Definitions
Degrees of 1.2.1 Concepts of Family of Religious Institutions
Kinship Marriage 1.3.2 Forms of 1.4.2 Characteristics of
1.1.2 Kinship 1.2.2 Forms of Marriage Family Religious Institutions
Terminology 1.2.3 Changes In The 1.3.3 Structure of 1.5 Law As A Social
1.1.3 Different Social Institution of Family Institution
Kinship Marriage 1.3.4 Importance of
Structures 1.2.4 Marriage as a Family 1.5.1 Functions- Social
Sacrament 1.3.5 Types of Control
1.2.5 Marriage as a Family 1.5.2 Functions- Social
Contract 1.3.6 Family and Integration
1.3 Economic Household 1.5.3 Functions- Social
 Institutions 1.3.7 Changing Sanction
Dimensions of
1.3.1Definition of Family
Economic
Institutions
1.3.2Characteristics of
Economic
Institutions

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NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND JUDICIAL ACADEMY, ASSAM
B.A.,LL.B. (HONS.) FIVE YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2011-2012
1.4 SOCIOLOGY ONE
MAXIMUM MARKS = 100 (ONE HUNDRED) TEACHING HOURS =
90 (NINETY)
EXAM DURATION = 03 (THREE) HOURS COURSE CREDITS = 05
(FIVE) CREDITS
MODULE – FOUR
1. FORMS OF 1.4 Power and 3. SOCIAL VALUES AND SOCIAL NORMS
SOCIAL Authority
INEQUALITY 3.1 Characteristics of Social Values and
1.1 Gender 1.4.1 Notions of Power Social Norms
1.2 Class 1.4.2 Elite and Power 3.2 Functions of Social Values and Social
Elite Norms
1.2.1 Class Divisions 2. SOCIAL CHANGE
AND 4. FOLKWAYS AND MORES
 1.2.2 Class And SOCIAL CONTROL
Social 2.1 Concept of Social 4.1 Characteristics of Folkways and Mores
Mobility Change 4.2 Functions of Folkways and Mores
1.3. Caste 2.3 Theories of Social
Change 5. CUSTOM AND LAW
1.3.1 Origin of Caste
1.3.2 Caste 2.3.1 Urbanization 5.1 Relationship Between Custom and Law
Inequality and 2.3.2 Industrialization 5.2 Difference Between Custom and Law
Discrimination 2.3.3 Westernization
1.3.3 Dominant 6. SOCIAL SANCTION
Caste and 2.5 Concept of Social
Sanskritization Control 6.1 Characteristics of Social Sanction
1.3.4 Changing 2.6 Purpose of Social 6.2 Types of Social Sanction
Dimensions Control 6.3 Role of Social Sanction in Social Control
of Caste 2.6 Types of Social
Control

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY AND JUDICIAL ACADEMY, ASSAM

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B.A.,LL.B. (HONS.) FIVE YEARS INTEGRATED COURSE
ACADEMIC SESSION: 2011-2012
1.4 SOCIOLOGY ONE

MAXIMUM MARKS = 100 (ONE HUNDRED) TEACHING HOURS =

90 (NINETY)
EXAM DURATION = 03 (THREE) HOURS COURSE CREDITS = 05
(FIVE) CREDITS
RECOMMENDED READINGS

1. Ahuja, Ram, Indian Social System, Rawat Publications, New Delhi, 1993.
2. Ahuja, Ram, Social Problems in India, Rawat Publications, New Delhi, 1997.
3. Beteille, Andre, Sociology, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2003.
4. Bhasin, Kamla, Understanding Gender, Kali for Women Publishers, New Delhi, 2000.
5. Bottomore, T.B., Sociology: A Guide to Problems and Literature, Blackie and Sons (India) Ltd.,
Mumbai, 1986.
6. Cotterrell, Roger, The Sociology of Law, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2007.
7. Das Veena, Handbook of Indian Sociology, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2004.
8. Dhanagare, D.N., Themes and Perspectives in Indian Sociology, Rawat Publications, Jaipur, 1993.
9. Dube, S.C., Indian Society, National Book Trust of India, New Delhi, 1990.
10. Durkheim, Emile, The Division of Labour in Society, Macmillan Publishing Co., London, 1984.
11. Giddens, Anthony, Sociology, Polity Press, Cambridge, 2010.
12. Gupta, Dipankar (ed.), Social Stratification, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1991.

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13. Haralambos, M. and Martin Holborn, Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, Harper Collins Publishers
Ltd., London, 2004.
14. Haralambos, M. and R.M. Heald, Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, Oxford University Press, New
Delhi, 2009.
15. Hatt, Paul, K. and William J. Goode, Methods in Social Research, Surjeet Publications, New Delhi 2006.
16. Horton P.B. and C.L. Hunt, Sociology, Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi, 2006.
17. Kothari, C.R., Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques, New Age International Publishers,
New Delhi, 2004.
18. Maciver, R.M. and C.H. Page, Society: An Introductory Analysis, Macmillan Publishing Co., Chennai,
2007.
19. Madan, T.N., Family and Kinship, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2010.
20. Mandelbaum, David, G., Society in India, Popular Prakashan, New Delhi, 1975.
21. Marx, Karl, Communist Manifesto, Lawrence and Wishart, London, 1976.
22. Rao, Shankar, C.N., Primary Principles of Sociology, S Chand and Company Ltd., New Delhi, 2008.
23. Srinivas, M.N., Social Change in Modern India, Orient Blackswan Publishers, Hyderabad, 2010.
24. Uberoi, Partricia (ed.), Family, Kinship and Marriage in India, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 1960.
25. Weber, Max, The Protestant Ethic and The Spirit of Capitalism, Routledge Publishers, New York, 2001.

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