Sociology is the scientific study of society, social relationships including patterns of social communication and culture. It uses a variety of methods to investigate and analyse the body of knowledge about social order, transformation and change. In terms of UPSC, Sociology Syllabus for UPSC IAS Exam plays an important role in deciding the rank of candidates in UPSC IAS Exam.
Why Sociology is so important?
Sociology has turned out as a vital part of General Studies (paper) well as an optional paper in the Civil Services Mains Examination. Being one of the easiest optional subjects, many candidates choose Sociology as an optional for UPSC IAS Mains Exam. Like, other optional subjects’ sociology has two papers. Paper I of Sociology deals with the fundamentals of Sociology where Paper II of Sociology optional deals with the Indian society, its structure, and change.
Why many consider Sociology for optional paper?
It is easy to understand and is scoring. It is a pure social science and is very popular among arts and humanities students. Since it is easy to understand in terms of concepts, even science background students can attempt it safely. Sociology has a shorter syllabus. The subject helps with the essay paper since generally at least one essay is asked about social issues. Besides, it will also help in the interview round. Sociology also helps in the ethics paper. It is interesting, especially if social and civil issues matter to the aspirant. It helps to understand society and its myriad layers and functioning. Many successful aspirants consider sociology is good option instead of Geography. Because, for geography they need to be absolutely correct in maps otherwise, one can lose marks and there is a lot of competition for Geography, since many aspirants opt for this. Also, students need to distinguish their answers from other. Many also feel that the UPSC syllabus for Geography is bigger than Sociology.
Paper – I
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY
1. Sociology – The Discipline Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology. Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences. Sociology and common sense.
2. Sociology as Science: Science, scientific method and critique. Major theoretical strands of research methodology. Positivism and its critique. Fact value and objectivity. Non- positivist methodologies.
3. Research Methods and Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative methods. Techniques of data collection.
4. Sociological Thinkers: Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle. Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society. Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Talcolt Parsons- Social system, pattern variables. Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups. Mead – Self and identity.
5. Stratification and Mobility: Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation. Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory. Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race. Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.
6. Works and Economic Life: Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society. Formal and informal organization of work. Labour and society.
7. Politics and Society: Sociological theories of power. Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties. Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology. Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.
8. Religion and Society: Sociological theories of religion. Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults. Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.
9. Systems of Kinship: Family, household, marriage. Types and forms of family. Lineage and descent. Patriarchy and sexual division oflabour. Contemporary trends.
10. Social Change in Modern Society: Sociological theories of social change. Development and dependency. Agents of social change. Education and social change. Science, technology and social change
Paper – II
1 INDIAN SOCIETY: STRUCTURE AND CHANGE A. Introducing Indian Society: (i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society: Indology (GS. Ghurye). Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas). Marxist sociology (A R Desai). (ii) Impact of colonial rule on Indian society : Social background of Indian nationalism. Modernization of Indian tradition. Protests and movements during the colonial period. Social reforms.
B. Social Structure: (i) Rural and Agrarian Social Structure: The idea of Indian village and village studies. Agrarian social structure – evolution of land tenure system, land reforms. (ii) Caste System: Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille. Features of caste system. Untouchability – forms and perspectives. (iii) Tribal communities in India: Definitional problems. Geographical spread. Colonial policies and tribes. Issues of integration and autonomy. (iv) Social Classes in India: Agrarian class structure. Industrial class structure. Middle classes in India. (v) Systems of Kinship in India: Lineage and descent in India. Types of kinship systems. Family and marriage in India. Household dimensions of the family. . (vi) Religion and Society: Religious communities in India. Problems of religious minorities. Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour
Strategy
Paper I
For short notes, these are the important sections in paper I:
Sociology – The Discipline
Scientific Study of Social Phenomena
Techniques of data collection and analysis
Economic System
Political System
Educational System
Science & Technology
To prepare for the long questions in paper I, students are required to thoroughly prepare Pioneering contributions to Sociology. This includes Karl Marx: Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation and class struggle. Emile Durham: Division of labour, social fact, religion and society. Max Weber: Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. Talcott Parsons: Social system, pattern variables. Robert K Merton: Latent and manifest functions, anomie, conformity and deviance, reference groups. SociologyGuide.com – A free guide to sociology Examinations.
While revising Pioneering contributions to Sociology’, students need to focus on areas like socio-economic and political background, views of thinkers, their analysis, contemporary perspective and evolution. The section on `Pioneering contributions to Sociology’ is the most important part of paper I. It helps to understand the theoretical inferences of paper II. So, if you are thorough with this section, it will be easier for candidates to get a gist of sections like Social Stratification, Economic System, Political System, Educational System, Social Movements and Social Change and Development.
Candidates are required to understand argumentative aspect of thinkers like Karl Marx, Emile Durham, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Robert K Merton, with an eye to use their arguments in other sections of paper I. The theoretical inference of these thinkers need to be carried forward in paper II wherever required.
For long questions, students need to focus on topics such as Pioneering Contributions to Sociology, Marriage and Family, Social Stratification and Mobility, Political System, Social Movements and Social Change and Development. Students who can thoroughly focus on these sections are expected to answer 70% of queries in paper I. They should, however, have an overall view of the paper with focus on emerging trends like education, religion and economic developments.
Paper II
While preparing for this paper, students should ensure that they should not confine their preparation in terms of different sections. They need to focus on interrelation between different topics. Students need to have an analytical eye with focus on continuity and change. Like, despite so many changes, why caste system is still prevalent in our country. Or, despite the break-up of the joint family system, the mentality of joint family still exists among Indians.
For short notes, the important sections are:
Historical Moorings of the Indian Society
Class Structure
Marriage, Family and Kinship
Education
Political System
Population Dynamics
Social Movements
Social Problems
There are many topics in paper II which seem to be essay-type. But in Sociology, they need to be approached through sociological perspectives. Suppose you are asked a question on poverty, this can have theoretical inferences. You need to give empirical or sociological or case studies examples to analyse the topics. Writing Short notes: You need to directly start answering the question. Avoid flowery language with an eye on all perspectives while answering the question
Paper I
1. Herton and Hunt, Sociology, Mcgraw – Hill International, Singapore 1984
2. Abrahamson Mark, Urban Sociology, Prentice-Hall Inc, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1980
3. Haris C. C., The Sociology Enterprises: A Disscussion of Fundamental Concept, St. Martin Press Inc., New York, 1980
4. Wilson John, Introduction to Social Movements, Basic Books, NY , 1998.
5. Hamilton, Malcom, B. The Sociology of Religion, Routledge, London, 1995.
6. Williams, Malcom, Science and Social Science: An Introduction, Routledge, London, 2000.
7. D.K.S. Roy, Social Development and the Empowerment of Mariginalised Groups: Perspectives and Strategies, Sage, New Delhi – 2001
8. Harris C.C., The Family, Allen and Unwin, London – 1977
9.Andreas Hess, Concept of Social Stratification, European and American Models, Palgrave, Houndmills, NY , 2001
10. Giddens, Anthony, Capitalisation and Modern Social Theory, University Press Cambridge, 1971
11. Smelser, N.J.The Sociology of Economic Life, Prentice Hall, New Delhi – 1988.
Paper II
1. Mandelbaum, David, Society in India, University of California, Press Berkreley, 1970
2. Srivnivas M N Caste in Modern India and Other Essays, Asia Publishing House, Bombay -1962
3. Srinivas M N Social Change in Modern India, Berkeley,University of California Press 1966.
4. Srinivas and Shah, The Myth of the self sufficiency of the Indian Village, The Economic weekly, 12:1375-1378
5. Beteille Andre Sociology, Oxford, New Delhi – 2002
6. Beteille Andre, The idea of Natural, Inequality and other Essays, Oxford, Delhi – 1987.
7. Beteille Andre, Essay in Contemporary Sociology, Oxford, Delhi – 1987.
8. Beteille Andre, Social Inequality of Indian Penguine, London, 1978.
9. Singh Yogender Cultural Change in India, Rawat, Jaipur, 2002.
10. Singh Yogender, Modernization of Indian Tradition, Thompson Press, New Delhi – 1973.
11. Unnithan T K , Indra Dev and Singh, Y, (eds) Towards a Sociology of Culture in India, Prentice Hall, new Delhi – 1965.
12. Gupta, Dipasnkar, Interrograting Caste, Penguine, New Delhi – 2000
Sociology Books on India
1. Ram Ahuja: Society in India
2. Ram Ahuja: Social problems in India
3. IGNOU notes (especially for thinkers and topic on Indian system)
4. Caste its 20th Century Avatar – M.N. Srinivas
5. Participation as freedom – Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze
6. Y. Singh – Modernisation of Indian Tradition
7. Y. Singh – Social tradition in India
8. L.P. Vidhyarthi – Tribal India
9. Social structure – M.N. Srinivas
10. Yojana (Independence day special 2001 on population)
General Reference Books for Sociology
1. Sociology – T.B. Bottomore
2. Sociology – Harry M. Johnson
3. Sociology: An introduction and analysis – Maclver and Page Handbook of Sociology – Ogburn and Ninkoff
4. Social anthropology – Madan and Majumdar
5. Social Thought – Abraham and Morgan
6. Dictionary of sociology – Dunean and Mitchel or Penguin
7. Sociology Dictionary – William P. Scott
8. Introductory sociology: T.B. Bottmore
9. Basic contribution of sociological and anthropological thinkers: dictionary of sociology, Social and cultural process: Maclver and Page and Madan & Majumdar
10. Deviance and central: Social stratification – Harlambos and T.B. Bottomore
By Neha Bhosle Rank 15, 2020 Sociology ! While the marks are yet to come, I am very sure that it is Sociology that has played the biggest role in me getting this rank. I had scored around 270 marks in Sociology last year. And that too, after poorly written 20 markers on non-positivistic methodology and Mills in Paper 1, and mention of very few thinkers in Paper 2. After the Mains last year, I had spent almost three months studying only Sociology. I completed whatever topics I had not been able to cover properly, did value addition to whatever notes I had already made, and also wrote six tests of the Vision Test Series. Hence, I had everything ready, and after the Prelims this year, I just had to read and revise the same several times.
Coming to the beginning, before finalizing Sociology as my Optional, I had gone through its Syllabus and the Question Papers of the past ten years. These two activities provided a rough idea of what to focus on while studying.
I first read the two Class 11 NCERTs – Introducing Sociology and Understanding Society, and the two Class 12 NCERTs – Indian Society and Social Change and Development in India once, and highlighted the important points in them. Later, I added only these highlighted points to my notes.
Then I once read the entire ESO 13 and MSO 04 Blocks of IGNOU Sociology. This was just a quick basic reading and I did not highlight any points or make any notes from this first reading.
Then I started selectively reading Sociology – Themes and Perspectives by Haralambos and Holborn. This book is also known as the ‘Blue Haralambos’. The book only looks huge, but it is actually written in a very simple language. In the first reading, I only highlighted the important points. And in the second reading, I made notes from this book. These notes were my base material for Paper 1.
Following are the page numbers that I read from the Blue Haralambos (8th Edition):
Chapter 1: Stratification, class and inequality – pages 21-24, 30-34, 47-56, 80-82, 87-93
Chapter 2: Sex and gender – pages 95-101, 104-121, 130-138
Chapter 3: ‘Race’, ethnicity and nationality – pages 155-160, 174-187, 193-197, 206-210
Chapter 4: Poverty, social exclusion and the welfare state – pages 231-236, 246-247, 259-264, 269-276
Chapter 6: Crime and deviance – pages 347-352, 361-367
Chapter 7: Religion – pages 431-437, 444-462, 473-475, 487-488, 491-499, 504-507
Chapter 8: Families, households and personal life – pages 509-525, 544-545, 566-569
Chapter 9: Power, politics and the state – pages 579-590, 593-603, 608-620
Chapter 10: Education – pages 663-671, 702-704
Chapter 14: Methodology – full
Chapter 15: Sociological theory – pages 953-998, 1013-1015
Once the notes-making from the Blue Haralambos was done, I did one reading of Fundamentals of Sociology by Vikash Ranjan Sir (5th Edition). From this book, I read all the Chapters except Chapter 4 (Sociological Thinkers). The language of the book is very simple, and I made notes in this first reading itself. This book is helpful for Chapters 6, 9 and 10, which are not covered much in the Blue Haralambos. And it also helped in adding some more content and Thinkers for the remaining Chapters.
Once I had my notes ready from the above two books, I read the Class Notebooks of Upendra Gaur Sir. These had been written by a friend’s friend, from Sir’s batch for Mains 2016. They were very good and covered most of the topics of Paper 1. Even some topics of Paper 2 had been covered in them, but I did not read those. I have not read Sir’s written notes that are available on Telegram, so I cannot comment on their quality. I did not make any notes from these Notebooks, as they were anyways written in the notes-format only.
I started with Paper 2 only after completing all the above actions. For Paper 2, I first read Applied Sociology – Indian Society: Structure and Change by Vikash Ranjan Sir (5th Edition). The language of the book is very simple, and I made notes in this first reading itself. For topics that were too huge to make notes, I just noted down the page numbers from this book, and then read only those pages multiple times.