Sociology Optional Syllabus – UPSC 2024

Sociology Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2024 | Guide | Chetan Bharat Learning

Sociology is one of the 48 optional disciplines available to UPSC candidates. The UPSC syllabus for this specialised subject includes a wide range of themes, including as society, social institutions, sociological philosophers, social movements, and sociological research methodologies.

 

Candidates who choose Sociology as an optional subject must take two 250-mark examinations, for a total of 500 points. These optional papers form part of the UPSC Mains Examination, which is held following the UPSC Preliminary Exam. While Sociology is not as popular as other subjects for the UPSC Mains exam, applicants with a graduate degree in Sociology or a solid background in the discipline can choose it as an optional subject. Chetan Bharat Learning offers the best upsc coaching Chandigarh.

 

Paper 1 of the Sociology Optional Syllabus covers the fundamentals of sociology.

Sociology: The Discipline


 

Modernity and social transformation in Europe, as well as the emergence of sociology.

The scope of the subject and its relation to other social sciences.

Sociology and commonsense. 

 

Sociology as a science.

 

  • Science, scientific methodology, and critique.
  • Major theoretical components of research technique.
  • Positivism and its criticism.
  • Fact validity and objectivity.
  • Non-positivistic approaches

Research Methods and Analysis

 

  • Methods include both qualitative and quantitative components.
  • Data Collection Techniques.
  • Variables include sample, hypothesis, reliability, and validity.

 

Sociological thinkers

 

Karl Marx's concepts include historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, and class struggle.

Emile Durkheim discusses division of labour, social facts, suicide, religion, and society.

Max Weber discusses social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethics, and the spirit of capitalism.

Talcolt Parsons: Social system and pattern variables.

Robert K. Merton: Latent and visible functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.

Mead: Self and Identity.

 

Stratification and Mobility

 

  • Concepts: equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty, and deprivation.
  • Theories of social stratification include structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, and Weberian theory.
  • Dimensions refer to social stratification based on class, status, gender, ethnicity, and race.
  • Social mobility encompasses open and closed systems, different types of mobility, and the sources and causes of mobility.

 

Work and Economic Life

 

  • Work is organised socially in several sorts of societies, including slave society, feudal society, and industrial capitalism.
  • Work is organised both formally and informally.
  • Labour and society.

 

Politics & Society

 

  • Sociological theories of power.
  • The ruling class, bureaucracy, pressure organisations, and political parties.
  • Nation, state, citizen, democracy, civil society, and ideology.
  • Protest, agitation, social movements, group action, and revolution.

 

Religion & Society

 

  • Religion-related sociological theories.
  • Religious practices include animism, monism, pluralism, sects, and cults.
  • Religion in modern civilization includes religion and science, secularisation, religious revivalism, and fundamentalism.

 

Systems of Kinship

 

  • Family, home, and marriage.
  • Different types and forms of family.
  • Lineage and descent.
  • Patriarchy and sexual division of labour.
  • Current trends.

 

Social Change in Modern Society

 

  • Sociological theories about societal change.
  • Development and reliance.
  • Agents for social transformation.
  • Education and social change.
  • Science, technology, and socioeconomic transformation.

 

Paper 2 of the Sociology Optional Syllabus: 

 

1. Introduction to Indian Society: 

Perspectives for studying Indian society

 

  • Indiology (GS. Ghurye).
  • M N Srinivas proposes structural functionalism.
  • Marxist sociology (A. R. Desai).

 

Effects of colonial dominance on Indian society

 

  • The sociological background behind Indian nationalism.
  • Modernization of Indian traditions.
  • Protests and movements during the colonial era.
  • Social reforms.

 

2. Social Structure

Rural and Agrarian Social Structures

 

  • The concept of Indian villages and village studies.
  • Agrarian social structure: evolution of land tenure, land reforms.

 

Caste System

 

  • GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, and Andre Beteille discuss their perspectives on caste systems research.
  • Features of the caste system.
  • Untouchability: Forms and Perspectives.

 

Tribal Communities in India

 

  • Definitional issues.
  • Geographic spread.
  • Colonial policies and tribes.
  • Issues of integration and autonomy.

 

Social Classes in India

 

  • Agrarian class structure.
  • Industrial class structure.
  • Middle class in India.

 

System of Kinship in India

 

  • Lineage and ancestry in India.
  • Different types of kinship systems.
  • Families and marriages in India.
  • Household dimensions for the family.

 

Religion & Society

 

  • Religious communities in India.
  • Religious minority face problems.
  • Patriarchy, entitlements, and sexual division of labour.

3. Social Change in India

 

Visions for Social Change in India.

 

  • The concept of development planning and mixed economies.
  • Constitution, legislation, and social change.
  • Education and social change.

 

Rural and Agricultural Transformation in India

 

  • Programmes for rural development, community development, cooperatives, and poverty reduction.
  • Green Revolution and Social Change.
  • Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
  • Problems with rural labour, bondage, and migration.

 

Industrialization and urbanisation in India

 

  • The evolution of modern industry in India.
  • India's urban settlements are growing.
  • Working-class structure, expansion, and mobilisation.
  • Child labour is part of the informal sector.
  • Slums and poverty in metropolitan regions.

 

Politics & Society

 

  • Nationality, democracy, and citizenship.
  • Political parties, pressure groups, social and political elites.
  • Regionalism and power decentralisation.
  • Secularisation

 

Social Movements in Modern India

 

  • Peasant and farm movements.
  • Women's Movement.
  • Backward classes and Dalit struggle.
  • Environmental movements.
  • Ethnic and identity movements.

Population Dynamics

 

  • Population size, expansion, composition, and distribution.
  • Population increase is made up of three components: birth, mortality and migration.
  • Population policies and family planning.
  • Emerging challenges include ageing, gender disparities, child and newborn mortality, and reproductive health.

 

Challenges to Social Transformation

 

  • Developmental crises include displacement, environmental difficulties, and sustainability.
  • Poverty, deprivation, and inequality.
  • Violence against women.
  • Caste tensions.
  • Ethnic conflict, communalism, and religious revivalism.
  • Illiteracy and inequality in schooling.

 

Conclusion


The Sociology optional for UPSC 2024 provides a thorough and analytical examination of societal structures and changes. With a thorough understanding of the syllabus and a smart preparation plan, applicants can effectively tackle this subject and improve their chances of passing the exam. Remember that sociology is more than just a rote study; it is about understanding and analysing the processes of society. Join upsc ias online coaching in Chandigarh at Chetan Bharat Learning now. Happy studying!

 

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