PROGRAMME SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

Sociology seeks to understand all aspects of human social behavior, including the behavior of individuals as well as the social dynamics of small groups, large organizations, communities, institutions, and entire societies. Sociologists are typically motivated both by the desire to better understand the principles of social life and by the conviction that understanding these principles may aid in the formulation of enlightened and effective social policy. Sociology provides an intellectual background for students considering careers in the professions or business. An Honours Graduate student of Sociology should able to develop:

• Critical Thinking: The programme seeks to develop in students the sociological knowledge and skills that will enable them to think critically and imaginatively about society and social issues.
• Sociological Understanding: The ability to demonstrate sociological understandings of phenomena, for example, how individual biographies are shaped by social structures, social institutions, cultural practices, and multiple axes of difference and inequality.
• Written and Oral Communication: The ability to formulate effective and convincing written and oral arguments.
• Better understanding of real life situation: The ability to apply sociological concepts and theories to the real world and ultimately their everyday lives.
• Analytical thinking: Field survey and preparation of dissertation paper is an inseparable part of Sociology Hons Programme. Students have to collect primary data for census as well as his/her research topic and analyse the data to draw conclusions. So, qualitative and quantitative analytical skills are enhanced.
• Observation power: a sensible observation power is necessary to identify the research problems in field study. So a perception about human society slowly grows up.
• Communication skills and Social interaction power: Students of Sociology stream have to work beyond the class room boundary at the time of field study activities. As a result good communication skill develops while interacting with local people.
• Ethical and Social Responsibility:  Students  have to learn about institutions, folkways , mores, culture, social control ,social inequality, population composition, population policy, society and culture of India. All these help to instill among the students of Sociology a sense of ethical and social responsibility.
• Professional and Career Opportunities: Students will have the opportunity to join professional careers in Sociology and allied fields. Sociology provides an intellectual background for students considering careers in business, social services, public policy, government service, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, or academia. This programme lays foundation for further study in Sociology, Social work, Rural Development, Social Welfare and in other allied subjects.

Course Outcome

COURSE-I: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY   

The course is intended to introduce the students to a sociological way of thinking. It provides an understanding of the discipline of Sociology and sociological perspective. It also provides foundation for other more detailed and specialized courses in sociology. Students will be able to

• Define Sociology and demonstrate nature, scope and subject-matter of Sociology.
• Demonstrate how Sociology differ from and similar to other social sciences and their areas of interdependence.
• Acquaint themselves with the basic concepts of Sociology like society, community, association, culture, social change, social stratification etc.
• Know the basic social institutions like family, marriage, kinship in a scientific way.
• Understand and demonstrate how self develops through various process of interaction. Demonstrate how societal and structural factors influence individual behaviour.
• Explain social change and the factors affecting social change. Realize the importance of cultural lag to understand social change.

COURSE-II: RURAL SOCIOLOGY IN INDIA

The course explores substantive issues in Rural Sociology. It gives attention to Indian themes. Studying the course students will be able to

• Define Rural Sociology and demonstrate nature, subject-matter and importance of studying Rural Sociology.
• Understand and analyze social, economic and political aspects of rural society.
• Demonstrate how caste system operates and its importance in rural society.
• Define and demonstrate democratic decentralization of power and importance of Panchayati Raj Institution in bringing about changes in rural society.
• Understand the changes that are taking place in rural society with reference to agrarian reforms and rural development programmes.

COURSE-III: INDIAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE IN INDIA

This course is intended to introduce the students to basic social institutions to describe Indian society and culture of different periods from pre-history to modern era. It also provides knowledge about various social processes that play significant role in bringing about changes in Indian Society and Culture. Studying the course students will be able to

• Explore the roots of Indian civilization.
• Know economy, polity and society of ancient, medieval and modern India.
• Understand and analyze the key concepts of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam and impact of these religions on society.
• Understand and analyze the areas of interrelations between India and South Asia.
• Demonstrate social, economic, political transformation of Indian society under colonial rule.
• Realize the basic issues of Indian society like unity in diversity, problems of nationalism and principles of Indian Constitution.
• Define globalization and analyze its impact on social, economic, political, cultural spheres.

COURSE-IV: SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

The course aims to provide a general introduction to sociological theory and thought. The paper acknowledges the contributions of both western and Indian scholars in the development of sociology. It provides the students an opportunity to

• Define sociological theory, understand its features and describe and illustrate the role of theory in building sociological knowledge.
• Introduce themselves to the classical theories of Sociology and contributions of different thinkers in this regard.
• Know the contributions of founding fathers of Sociology in developing sociology as an academic discipline.
• Understand the concepts and contributions of Indian social thinkers in the reform of Indian society as well as to enhance knowledge about society.
• Know the contributions of Indian Sociologists in the development of sociological thought.

COURSE-V: SOCIOLOGY OF TRIBES, MINORITIES AND OTHER WEAKER SECTIONS

The course aims to draw attention mainly to the problems, policies and programmes taken for the upliftment of the backward sections of Indian society and causes of their backwardness. The paper also throws light on the socio –economic life of the backward sections of Indian society. Studying the course students will be able to  

• Introduce them with the geographical distribution, economy, polity, social organization of tribal life of India.
• Know the problems faced by the tribes and policies and programmes taken by the Govt. for the upliftment of tribes.
• Understand social, economic and cultural features of minorities and other weaker section in India.
• Learn about the Constitutional Provision for the protection of minorities and other weaker section in India.
• Learn about the Reservation Policy in India.

COURSE-VI: URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY IN INDIA

Urban and Industrial Sociology are two specialized branches of Sociology. This course provides an exposure to key theoretical perspectives for understanding urban life in historical and contemporary contexts. Industrial Sociology intends to familiarize the students mainly with the process of   industrialization and its impact on society. Students will get an opportunity to 

• Define urban sociology and demonstrate the nature and scope of urban sociology.
• Develop an understanding about trends of urbanization in India and impact of urbanization on Indian society.
• Develop awareness about urban problems and policies adopted to solve such problems.
• Define industrial sociology and demonstrate the nature and scope of industrial sociology.
• Develop an understanding of the process and trends of industrialization in India and impact of industrialization on Indian society.

COURSE-VII: SOCIAL DEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN INDIA

This course provides an understanding of the interrelation between population and society. It analyzes the impact of fertility, mortality and migration on the composition, size and structure of population. The course also addresses various problems of Indian society and measures taken to eradicate these problems. Studying the course students will gather knowledge on

• Key concepts of Social Demography.
• Demographic factors of social change.
• Theories of population.
• Factors affecting mortality and fertility.
• Population policy in India.
• Various social problems in India like poverty, illiteracy, domestic violence, violence against women and measures taken to eradicate the problems.

COURSE-VIII: SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS, FIELD WORK AND VIVA-VOCE

The course is an introductory course on how research is actually done. With emphasis on formulating research design, methods of data collection, and data analysis, it will provide students with some elementary knowledge on how to conduct both, quantitative and qualitative research. Field work is an applied part of social research methods. This paper aims to aquaint students with empirical field data collection, analysis and writing analytical and standard dissertation or research report in sociology. From the course students will able to learn about

• Meaning, scope, types and significance of Social Research.
• Importance of research design in Social Research and how to formulate it.
• How to collect, analyze data and how to write a field report.