Sociology Lecture # 1 Arooj Shahzad

Year: 2018

Introduction to Sociology
What is Sociology?

Sociology

Socius Logos

 The word Sociology is derived from the two words Socius and Logos. Socius is a Latin
word for society and Logos is a Greek word which is used for the knowledge.

Definition of Sociology
 Sociology is the scientific study of human social life, groups, and societies.

 Sociology is the science of society, social institutions, and social relationships;

specifically: the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction and
collective behavior of organized groups of human beings.

August Comte: Founder of Sociology

 Auguste Comte was a French Philosopher.
 The idea of applying the scientific method to the social world, known as positivism, was
apparently first proposed by Auguste Comte (1798-1857).
 Comte is credited with being the founder of Sociology.

Why Choose Sociology?

 CSS aspirants should positively and definitely choose Sociology in the optional subjects
as it is thought provoking, interesting and more over scoring when well prepared.
 The CSS aspirant acquires a sense of history, other cultures and times, the
interconnectedness of social life, and different frameworks of thought. He or she becomes
proficient at gathering information and putting it into perspective.

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Sociology Lecture # 1 Arooj Shahzad
Year: 2018

Importance of Sociology
 Sociological training helps students bring breadth and depth of understanding to the
workplace. A sociology student learns to think abstractly, formulate problems, ask
appropriate questions, search for answers, analyze situations and data, organize material,
write well, and make oral presentations that help others develop insight and make
decisions.

Major Disciplines related to Sociology

Gender
Studies

Political
Psychology Sociology
Science

Anthropology

Sociology and Psychology:

 Social psychology is a sub-discipline of both sociology and psychology. If sociology

deals with social categories and groups, psychology on the other hand deals with the
individuals. Whereas Social psychology involves the intersection of the social and the
individual where the individual is influenced by the social and, in turn, interacts with the
social and influences on it as well.
 Another way of looking at social psychology is that it is the study of how micro- and
macro-social phenomena – the individual and society, interact. Social psychology tries to
answer the following questions: How does an individual develop his self-concept or
personality? Or, how do social situations affect the way a person thinks or acts?

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Sociology Lecture # 1 Arooj Shahzad
Year: 2018
Sociology and Anthropology:

 A sub field of Anthropology is Cultural Anthropology. Cultural Anthropology describes,

analyzes, interprets, and explains social and cultural similarities and differences.
 The study of Culture is also a fundamental part in Sociology due to which Cultural
Anthropology and Sociology relate with each other. However differences exist between
the two disciplines. Sociologist traditionally used quantitative research, while cultural
anthropological used qualitative methodologies.

Sociology and Political Science:

 Political Sociology is a sub-discipline of both Political Science and Sociology.Main

focus of the discipline has been on the political processes which take place within human
societies
 Political processes include democratization, ideological affiliation, revolution, political
reforms, nation-building, citizenship, political identity formation and development

Sociology and Gender Studies

 Studies in the subject of Sociology are based on attitudes and behaviors resulting from
the influences from the group dynamics.
 Sociology helps in the critical analysis of certain social and behavioral living patterns in
the human beings which are aiding to understand the discipline of Gender Studies.
 Sociology and Gender Studies should be closely studied parallel with each other. In the
society schooling creates inequality by regenerating the class structure in every new
generation. Women and Education should parallel without any gender discrimination.
Variables such as Gender, Age and Ethnicity are factors which relate to social inequality.
 Sociology of Gender is a prominent and emerging sub field of Sociology. Gender roles
are ascribed across varied cultures. Women are expected to focus on the child raising. On
the contrary it is generally assumed that men tend to have more autonomy and power.

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Sociology Lecture # 1 Arooj Shahzad
Year: 2018

Sociology Paper Attempt Techniques

 As Sociology requires no prior learning or achievement it is useful to have a proficiency
in Essay Writing.
 Attempt the Sociology subjective questions by giving reference of the Sociological
Theories and Sociological Scientists and Philosophers.
 The questions which start with the words like (Explain, discuss) require some reasoning
or some reference to theory.
 In the questions with the starting words like (Outline, describe), it implies a short
response which sums up the major points of one particular theory or approach.
 The words (Identify, suggest, illustrate) in the question, normally require you to apply
your knowledge to a particular sociological problem or theory.
 Words in the question like (Assess, examine, evaluate) suggest that you should look at
the strengths and weaknesses of an argument. You should offer judgment based on
evidence.
 Do make your sociology more valid by being aware of current social and political events.
 Do take care with regard to grammar and spelling.
Effective Strategy to cover the Sociology Subject Contents within a set
Timeframe

Lecture# Chapter(s)
Lecture#1 Introduction to Sociology
Lecture#2 Individual and Culture
Lecture#3 Society
Lecture#4 Social Interaction
Lecture#5 Social Control
Lecture#6 Social and Cultural Change and Social Policy
Lecture#7 Public Opinion
Lecture#8 Community
Lecture#9 Social Institutions
Lecture#10 Social Problems in Pakistan
Lecture#11 Sociological Theory
Lecture#12 Methods of Sociological Research