UPSC CSE Mains Sociology Optional Syllabus
SOCIOLOGY PAPER– I FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY 1. Sociology - The Discipline: (a) Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of Sociology. (b) Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences. (c) Sociology and common sense. 2. Sociology as Science: (a) Science, scientific method and critique. (b) Major theoretical strands of research methodology. (c) Positivism and its critique. (d) Fact value and objectivity. (e) Non-positivist methodologies. 3. Research Methods and Analysis: (a) Qualitative and quantitative methods. (b) Techniques of data collection. (c) Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity. 4. Sociological Thinkers: (a) Karl Marx - Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle. (b) Emile Durkhteim - Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society. (c) Max Weber - Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism. (d) Talcolt Parsons - Social system, pattern …
