Sociology Subjects List: Year-wise Syllabus, Semesters, Specializations & Books
Jasmine Dang AroraDeputy Manager-Content
A bachelor’s degree in Sociology is a three-year undergraduate program, and a master’s in Sociology is a two-year post-graduate program. This course deals with the theoretical aspects of social life, the changes in social life, human behavior to social causes, and consequences that shape the social structure and cultural factors. This course offers jobs in fields like Journalism, Survey Researching, Rehabilitation Counseling, Human Resources, Social Working, Family Counseling, Media Planning, etc. Students looking forward to building a career in the field of Sociology could take up this course. Those who would like to engage themselves in social activities and work towards the betterment of society or change society with their thoughts and ideologies are well suited for this course.
- Syllabus - Important Facts for Sociology
- List of Subjects in Sociology -Typical Core Subjects for Sociology
- Typical Elective Subjects for Sociology
- Detailed Syllabus for Sociology
- Specialisations offered in Sociology
- Books and Authors Related to Sociology
- Entrance Exams for Sociology
- Syllabus for Distance Program in Sociology
- Top Colleges for Sociology
- FAQs
Syllabus - Important Facts for Sociology
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This three-year bachelor’s course is divided into six semesters, and the two-year master's course has four semesters. Each semester has the required number of subjects and projects, and the students are assessed based on their performances. The respective credits are awarded for each subject based on their performance.
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Subjects like Political Sociology, Sociology of Religion, Sociology of Gender, Economic Sociology, Sociology of Kinship, Social Stratification, Sociological Research Methods, etc., form part of this course.
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These subjects enable the students to get an insight into the basic concepts of sociology and how it impacts human lives.
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This course offers Credit Courses, Discipline Specific Electives, and Skill Enhancement Courses. The students must complete 14 credit courses, four discipline-specific electives, two skill enhancement and skill ability courses each, and four general electives to complete the course. Each class will carry a minimum credit.
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These courses are further spread across each semester, and these subjects impact the disciplinary activities of the students. The case studies are illustrative, making the concepts vivid.
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The electives offered by each college differ accordingly. The students must choose their electives based on the specialisation they prefer. These elective subjects enable the students to pursue their profession in a particular specialised channel.
List of Subjects in Sociology -Typical Core Subjects for Sociology
| Subject Title |
Subject Details |
|---|---|
| Sociology of India |
This subject provides an overview of the images and ideas of India from a sociological perspective. It also looks into sociological concepts in the Indian context. |
| Introduction to Sociology |
This subject provides an introduction to sociological thoughts and focuses on the concepts of sociological thinkers over some time. This course also offers an understanding of various sociologists' original works and transcriptions. |
| Political Sociology |
This subject provides an overview of the concepts of sociology with the theoretical and practical aspects of the political aspects. The changes in the political situation and its growth are examined to have an analytical perspective of the same. |
| Sociology of Religion |
This subject provides an overview of the distinctiveness of the sociological approach in studying religion. The religious phenomenon and the customs, rituals, beliefs, etc., are examined from a much closer point of view. |
| Sociology of Gender |
This subject provides an overview of the sociological aspects of gender as a critical relation with categories of gender and sexuality. This subject tries to understand concepts such as gender and their common notions. |
| Economic Sociology |
Economic Sociology provides an overview of the economy and the socio-cultural environment involving various complexes—understanding the elements of economy and its production, distribution, exchange, and consumption perspectives. |
Typical Elective Subjects for Sociology
| Subject Title |
Subject Details |
|---|---|
| Agrarian Sociology |
This subject provides an overview of the formation of the sociological collectives and the South Asian societies Agrarian buildings. It helps students understand the agrarian past and present, along with necessary theories and practical aspects. |
| Environmental Sociology |
This subject provides an overview of the reflection of sociology in the environment as an objective approach. These concepts enable the students to understand the issues of the environment and the environmental developments and movements in India. The sociological perspective of the relationship between nature and social perspectives is also considered. |
| Visual Culture |
This subject provides an overview of the concepts of visualising everyday culture within the boundaries of politics, identity, and resistance. It also enables the students to understand the potential representations involving sociological interest. |
| Reading Ethnographies |
This subject enables the students to learn ethnographic textual and conceptual formats. Reading ethnographies help students understand the critical and analytical concepts of sociology. |
| Family and Intimacy |
This subject enables the students to learn the sociological perspectives involved in the relationship between family members and their history, culture, and social contexts that can impact the relationships from misunderstandings. It also enables the students to have a clear view of the diversity of the cultural and societal norms towards which the family members should showcase empathy. |
Detailed Syllabus for Sociology
The semesters and the respective subjects of the sociology course vary from one college or institution to the other. This is an overview of the subjects and their details that form part of the curriculum of sociology syllabus.
| Semester |
Core/Elective |
Subject Title |
Subject Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Core |
Sociology of India |
This subject provides an overview of British and American Social Anthropology but takes a different view on Western culture and Social Culture. |
|
|
Core |
Political Sociology |
This subject provides an overview of the concepts of sociology with the theoretical and practical aspects per the political aspects. Analysing the changes in the political situation and its growth is part of this subject. |
| 2 |
Core |
Sociology of Religion |
This subject provides an overview of the distinctiveness of the sociological approach in studying religion. The religious phenomenon and the customs, rituals, beliefs, etc., are analysed from a much closer point of view. |
|
|
Core |
Sociology of Gender |
This subject provides an overview of the sociological aspects of gender as a critical relation with categories of gender and sexuality. The understanding of concepts such as gender and their common notions of gender. |
| 3 |
Core |
Social Stratification |
This subject provides an overview of the society's categorization of its people based on gender, income, wealth, education, family background, and power. |
|
|
Core |
Sociological Thinkers - I |
This subject provides an overview to give the students a basic understanding of Sociology and apply the said theories in their daily, real-time life experiences. |
| 4 |
Core |
Sociological Research Methods - I |
This subject provides an overview to equip students with the required knowledge and skillset to design social research, thus improving Social, Environmental, and Agricultural Systems. |
|
|
Core |
Research Methods |
This subject provides an overview of the various methods that can be incorporated while employing Research Methodology in the field of Sociology. |
|
|
Elective |
Environmental Sociology |
This subject provides an overview of the relationship between the societies and their natural environments and emphasises more on the Social Factors that influence Environmental Resource Management. |
Specialisations offered in Sociology
| Specialisation |
Specialisation Subjects |
Subject Details |
|---|---|---|
| General Elective |
Rethinking Development |
This subject provides an overview of the concepts of rethinking the development of the key ideas and the animating forces of the societies and lives of people living in the communities. The students understand the different ideas, approaches, policies, developmental theories, and approaches, which conclude with the consequences and the experiences of development. |
| Discipline-Specific Elective |
Urban Sociology |
This subject provides an overview of the concepts and key ideas of the sociological perspectives of the urban phenomenon in both historical and sociological concepts relating to urban sociology. The course also involves the evolution of critical thinking in urban political policy. |
| Generic Elective |
Sociology of Media |
This subject provides an overview of the major themes and outlines the correlations between media and society. It also familiarises the students with various concepts and theories in media sociology. The media's production, control, and reception are represented in a sociological perspective. |
| Core Course |
Sociology of Kinship |
This subject enables the students to study the concepts of relevant understanding in the family, marriage, and kinship perspectives. It enables the students to look beyond the surface of issues to innovate how and why the issues of kinship arise irrespective of the various perspectives for understanding kinship. This subject also acknowledges the historical evolution of the kinship theories and the reproductive technologies recasting the kinship ideologies. |
Books and Authors Related to Sociology
Great scholars recommend many books for students aspiring to pursue Sociology. These books are a reliable source of knowledge, and the content provided would be genuine and informative. These books could provide an insight into the subjects and their basic outline in a much more engaging way. Many of these books would be available in libraries, or the online versions of these books could also be downloaded and accessed by any student.
| Subject |
Book Title |
Author |
Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Sociology |
Sociology |
Horton, Paul B., Chester L. Hunt, Tata McGraw Hill |
This book, written by Horton, Paul B., Chester L. Hunt, and published by McGraw Hill publications, provides all of the basic concepts in sociology by introducing various fields. |
| Political Sociology |
Para-Political Systems |
Bailey, F.G., University of London Press |
This book, written by Bailey F.G. and published by the University of London Press, provides an overview of political sociology and the theoretical aspects of how sociology influences the political scenario in the country or state. |
| Sociology of Religion |
Religion as a Subject for Sociology |
Beteille, Andre, 2002, Oxford University Press |
This book, written by Beteille, Andre, and published by the Oxford University Press, provides an overview of the basic concepts of sociology and the in-depth concepts of sociology associated with religion and various other concepts. |
| Sociology of Gender |
Doing Gender |
Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman |
This book, written by Candace West and Don H. Zimmerman, provides an overview of gender in association with sociology and various other concepts that provide an in-depth analysis of the gender perspectives from a societal perspective. |
Entrance Exams for Sociology
The most common national level entrance examinations for bachelors in Sociology are the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE). The subjects covered in these exams are Indian Society, Sociology of India, Social Movements, Social Developments, Agrarian Sociology, Rural Transformation, Family, Marriage and Kinship, etc. However, each college or university offers entrance exams to students to test their skill set and ability to sustain through the course.
The masters level program also has entrance exams offered by colleges or universities. There are no standard national-level entrance exams for the master's course. The applications for the entrance tests have to be obtained from the colleges or universities, and the universities or colleges will notify the other process. The required amount for the entrance test has to be paid by each student while filing the application form.
The questions related to subjects like Political Sociology, Sociological Theories, Indian Sociology, Sociological Research methods, etc., would form part of the entrance examination questions. The questions for the entrance exam of Masters in Sociology are based on the Bachelor's program in Sociology. These examinations' patterns and grading structures vary from one university to the other. Previous year’s question papers could be referred from the college or university dashboard so that the students could get an insight into the pattern and structure of the examination.
The questions might be objective and descriptive, depending upon the nature of the subject. The students applying for the Bachelor's program should have a minimum of 50% in their 10+2 examination from a recognised board. English should also be one of the core subjects at their senior school level. For the master's program, the students must complete the bachelor’s in sociology and gain practical experience in the particular field while studying.
Syllabus for Distance Program in Sociology
Any student applying for a sociology course through distance education should have cleared the 10+2 examination with 50% aggregate, and English should be one of the core subjects. Not all colleges and universities offer distance programs in sociology. There might be slight variations in the course structure offered for the distance program. The minimum duration for the Bachelor's course is 3 years, and the maximum can be up to 6 years for the completion of the course.
The same pattern of credit courses, discipline-specific electives, ability enhancement, and skill enhancement programs along with the general elective is offered for the distance education course as well.
The master's program can have a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years for the completion of this course. The subjects covered in this course are as follows:
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Journalism
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Survey Researching
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Rehabilitation Counselling
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Human Resources
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Social Working
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Family Counselling
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Media Planning
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Sociology in India, etc.
The areas of employment would be in the areas of Human Services, Journalism, Civil Services, Public Relations, Criminal Justice Field, etc.
Top Colleges for Sociology
There are a lot of colleges excelling in producing great results in sociology in India. The syllabus of each institute would vary from the other. The subjects might be similar, but the pattern and structure of the course would differ from college to college. Here is a list of the top 10 colleges in India for Sociology as per the ranking system of the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF).
| Sl. No. |
College/University/Institution |
Syllabus (URLs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Miranda House |
https://www.mirandahouse.ac.in/files/mirandasyllabus/BA hons sociology.pdf |
| 2 |
Lady Shri Ram College for Woman |
https://lsr.edu.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BA-program-Syllabus-combined-LOCF-2019-Sociology.pdf |
| 3 |
Loyola College |
https://www.loyolacollege.edu/UG2019Restructuring/Sociology.pdf |
| 4 |
St. Xavier’s College |
|
| 5 |
Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira |
|
| 6 |
PSGR Krishnammal College for Women |
No Information Provided |
| 7 |
Presidency College |
|
| 8 |
St. Stephen’s College |
No information Provided |
| 9 |
Hindu College |
|
| 10 |
Shri Ram College of Commerce |
https://lsr.edu.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BA-program-Syllabus-combined-LOCF-2019-Sociology.pdf |
FAQs
Q. What are the key topics in Sociology?
A. The following are the key topics in sociology:
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Political Sociology
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Sociology of Development
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Sociology of Gender
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Society and Religion and
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Other Sociological Theories
These subjects provide an in-depth analysis of the application of theories and patterns in these subjects. These subjects help the students to understand the basic concepts of sociology.
Q. How can sociology help us in our lives?
A. Sociology helps in understanding oneself better. This is because of the influence of the sociological factors that enable us to think, feel, express, understand, empathise, act, etc. Sociology helps to increase the sociological skill-sets like decision-making, problem-solving, analysing, etc., either for one's personal growth or for a professional platform.
Q. How does sociology influence education?
A. In educational institutions, social interactions influence the development of gender roles and the student's intellectual ability to learn and grasp the sociological factors. The sociological factors in educational institutions involve the students from different societies, irrespective of their differences, to interact and get along as a whole team.
Q. What makes Sociology unique?
A. Sociology becomes a unique study as it focuses mainly on the behavioural patterns of society. A lot of other studies focus on areas of economics and politics but sociology focuses only on humans and how they shape the community as a whole. Structuring the society based on human ideologies also makes this subject unique.
Q. What are the branches of Sociology?
A. There are a lot of branches in Sociology and a few of them are as follows:
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Criminology
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Sociology of Religion
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Sociology of Economy
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Urban Sociology
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Rural Sociology
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Historical Sociology
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Theoretical Sociology
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Sociology of Law
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Sociology of Demography and so on.
Q. What are the seven areas of sociology?
A. There are a lot of areas in sociology which include:
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Social Organisation
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Social Psychology
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Applied Sociology
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Methods and Research in Sociology
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Changes in the Social Aspects
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Human Ecology
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Demographics and Population
Q. How have sociologists classified the types of societies?
A. Sociologists have classified societies into six different categories of their attributes. They are classified into:
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Agricultural Societies
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Horticultural Societies
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Industrial societies
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Hunting and Gathering Societies
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Pastoral Societies and
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Post-Industrial Societies
Q. What are the three revolutions in Sociology?
A. The revolutions which made way for sociology were The French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and The Scientific Revolution. The French Revolution shows the relationship between rulers and the people entirely. The Industrial Revolution led to the development of the domain of sociology. The scientific revolution changed the behavioural aspects of a community.
Q. What jobs can you get with Sociology?
A. A person who has completed their studies in sociology can choose their career in the following fields:
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Paralegal
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Social Worker
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HR Coordinator
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Urban Planner
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Research Analyst
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Community Health Worker, etc.
Q. What subjects are needed for Sociology?
A. The subjects required for Sociology are applied ethics, nature and society, media, crime, sexuality, social control, empathising social problems and their deviance, mobilisation, protest and social movements, social anthropology, economic sociology, political sociology, social control, gender roles, multiculturalism, etc.
Q. Can you work in HR with a Sociology degree?
A. Yes, a person who has completed a Sociology degree can be appointed as a Human Resource Manager. Usually, a master’s in HR is required for a person to work as an HR manager. However, a sociology degree helps a person to understand the behavioural aspects of people and how to tackle the problems arising out of various influences.
Q. How many years does it take to complete sociology?
A. The undergraduate program in sociology requires three years while the post-graduate program in sociology requires two years for completion. A full-time master’s degree takes 2 years, while an online master's degree takes only 18 months for completion.
Q. Why do you study sociology?
A. Sociology helps us understand the social differences in a society that includes human behaviour. The relevancy and other social phenomenon enable the students to grasp the changes in the patterns of customs, traditions, rituals, etc., from one society or community to the other.
Q. What is the difference between sociology and social anthropology?
A. Sociology and Social Anthropology both form part of social science. There is not much of a difference between both because they both are interrelated to each other. However, sociology relates to social interactions between individuals and groups while social anthropology deals with the study of culture and how culture shapes the group or identity of an individual.
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Yes you can become Assistant professor. Please participate in UGC NET 2023 if meeting the criteria.
Answered 2 weeks ago
If you have an MA in rural development and pass the National Eligibility Test (NET) in sociology, you should be able to apply for the job of Assistant Professor in sociology. The NET certification is sometimes required for appointment as an Assistant Professor in Indian institutions and colleges.
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No, Candidates who are interested in studying at Thapar School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, whether it’s a UG or PG course, must apply online directly to the official website of the school. The school does not accept applications in any other mode. Students can easily check their match their eligib
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- Acceptance letter from the US university.
- A bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree.
- Excellent academic record.
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- In case of financial need based scholarship, demonstrate the supporting documents and an affidavit.
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At Late Virendra Pratap Singh Smarak Mahavidhyalya, the fee structure for an M.A. in Sociology typically ranges between 8,000 to 15,000 INR. To be eligible for this program, you must have successfully completed your 12th standard with a minimum of 60% or higher.
You can initiate the application proc
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In order to be admitted to Rajasthan University's MA Sociology program, applicants must have earned at least a 48% overall in their BA program, or a minimum of 55% in their chosen post-graduation subject.
Alternatively, candidates may possess a UNIRAJ-recognized equivalent degree with a minimum of 5
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Hi hafsath.
to appear for UGC NET in Sociology the candidate should follow the following eligibility criteria as per the gudelines issued by the authority .
Candidates holding foreign degrees, diplomas, or certificates, or post-graduate diplomas from Indian universities or institutes, should, in thei
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Sorbonne University and the University of Lille are both well-respected institutions in France that offer Master's programs in Sociology. However, the choice between them depends on your unique preferences and needs.
Sorbonne University has a strong reputation in France, particularly in the fields of
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Candidates were supposed to appear and clear PUMDET in order to get admission to the PG course interested in. However, 5% relaxation is given in the cut-off for students of Presidency University. The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) conducts PUMDET to shortlist aspirants for a
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