DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS

FIRST SEMESTER

COURSE COORDINATORS: DR. A.A. AGUGUA

SOC 111 & FSOC111: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

This course is intended to expose new sociology students to the elementary concepts,
tool and techniques of sociological analysis. It is divided into five sections which are as
follows:

PART A: ELEMENTS OF SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Week 1 Mr. Agugua A.O

A synopsis overview

Week 2-4 Mr. Adejoh Pius

1. The subject matter of sociology: Social Sciences: - Definition of science: Values

of Science: Positivism and its problems: Characteristics of Science: Limitations of
science and its drawback: Disciplines under social sciences: Sociology as a Science:
Values of studying Sociology: Limitations of science of science: Key concepts in
Sociological perspective.

2. The individuals culture and society: Definition of culture and society:

characteristics of culture: Functions of culture; relativity of culture;
ethnocentrism; sub-culture, culture areas; social order and social conflict, social
control, social norms. Folkways, Mores; Laws and Institutions; Culture and
Socialization. The nature/nuture controversy; Aims of socialization; agents of
socialization; the self, personality and culture, theories of personality
development. Freud, Cooley and Mead, Social roles and status; role set, conflict
resolution, socialization through roles etc.

Readings:
Olurode and Olusanya: Readings in introductory sociology. CH 3 Pp 28-41 and CH 4. Pp
42-59
 Olurode & soyombo: CH 1:Pp 1-17: Otite and Ogionwo CH 1 Pp 1-12

Giddens. A. (1989): sociology: (Cambridge: Polity press): Third edition; chapter 1:Pp 1-15

Haralambus, M and M.Holborn (2000): Sociology: Themes and perspective (London: Harper
Collins publishers ltd.) chapter 1 on sociological perspectives.

P.O Olusanya and Lai Olurode (eds) (1988): Reading in Introductory Sociological John West
publications, Lagos. Chapters I & 2:3-4 Pp.28

O Otite and W. Ogionwo (Eds) (1979): An Introduction to sociological studies Heinemann.

Ibadan, Chapters 1 & 2.

‘Lai Olurode and O. Soyombo (Eds) (2001): Sociology for Beginners Lagos- John West
Publications, chapter 1

Otite. Onigu (Ed.) Sociology: Them), and Applied. Lagos: Malthouse Publishers

Ely Chinoy (1967): Introduction to sociology: New York: Random Publishers chapter I

PART B: SOCIAL ORGANIZATION/GROUP BEHAVIOUR

This area is divided into 3 major sub-headings

Weeks 5 & 6 Dr. Funtni Bammeke I. Social groups

1. Social groups
(a) Aggregation categories and small groups
(b) Types of societies
(c) Primary groups and small groups
(d) Formal/complex organizations
(e) Issues in Gender Relations

Reading List:

Newman. D M. (2000) Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of everyday life. California:

P Forge Press: CH 2. Pp. 27-28: (CH 6, Pp 144

Giddcns. A. (1994) Sociology: Cambridge: Polity Press CH 9: Pp 284 306.

Onigu Otite & Oginonwo. W (1994): An introduction to sociological studies, Iba

Heinemann Educational Books PLC, CH 3: pp 48-57
 Olusanyu. P.O. & Olurode. 'Lai (1998) Readings in Introductory Sociology. Lagos, John
Publications

Week 7 Dr. N. Nwubueze

2. Analysis of Major Social institutions

(a) Kinship and Family
(b) Education
(c) Polity
(d) Religion
(e) Economy
(f) law

Reading List:

Sociology for Beginners: CH 7, Pp 170-201

Samuel Kocniing: (1968) Sociology: An introduction to the Science of Society, Barns &
Nobles: CHs 7-12: Pp 69-163

E. Chinoy, Society: An Introduction to sociology: Random House. New York.

Week 8 Mr. Bola Ogunlade

3. Social Stratification and Social Differentiation

(a) Class (Karl Marx), Status and power (Max Weber)
(b) Systems of Stratification. Caste systems, Osu systems etc.
(c) Social Mobility
(d) Can there be a classless society?

Reading List

Sociology for Beginners: CH 9: Pp e26-252 Readings in Introductory Sociology: CH 13:

Pp 206-129

PART E: ISSUES OF SOCIOLOGICAL INTEREST

Week 9 Dr. A. O. Agugua

(a) Social change and globalization

Reading List

Aina, A T. (2002) “Globalization and sustainable Human Development in Nigeria" Lagos: A

special publication of the UNILAG sociological review. (USR)

AGUGUA A.O. (2003): “Social change in Nigeria since independence" in Osuntokun

Aworawo and Masajuwa (Eds) History and culture of Nigeria up to AD 2000. Lagos:
Frankard Publishers

Oyekanmi, F. (Ed) (2005) Development Crisis and social change. Lagos: Department of
Sociology, University of Lagos

Olurode 'Lai and Bammeke F. (2006) Campus Life, lkeja, Lagos: John West Publications.