Course
Title: Sociology
Course No: SCO105
Nature of the Course: Theory
Semester: I
Course
Description
This course provides an introduction to
sociology, emphasizing its relevance to understanding society in the context of
information technology. It explores the relationship between sociology and
other sciences, fostering analytical skills to comprehend social structures,
systems, and institutions. Students will learn how to apply information
technology effectively to drive social change by understanding societal dynamics.
Course
Objectives
By the end of the course, students will
be able to:
- Define sociology and explain its
relationship with other sciences, including social sciences (e.g., history,
psychology, anthropology, economics, political science) and natural sciences
(e.g., information technology, biology).
- Understand and articulate fundamental
sociological concepts.
- Analyze social structures, systems,
and processes in relation to information technology.
- Develop frameworks for integrating
new information technologies with societal structures to foster social
change.
Course Contents
Unit
1: Introduction (9 Hrs.)
- Definition and perspectives of
sociology: sociological viewpoints, origins, and sociology's role in addressing
social concerns.
- Interdisciplinary relationships:
sociology’s connection with other sciences, with a focus on sociology and
information technology, biology, chemistry, anthropology, psychology,
education, law, and management.
- Traditional vs. technological
societies.
- The relevance of sociology in the
21st century.
Unit
2: Fundamentals of Society (9 Hrs.)
- Culture: The role of culture in human
intelligence, society, and nation-building.
- Components of Culture: Symbols,
language, values, beliefs, norms, material culture, and the impact of new
information technology on culture.
- Cultural Development: Cultural
universals, globalization, diffusion, and technology's influence on cultural
evolution.
Unit
3: Social Structure (12 Hrs.)
- Social Codes and Customs: The role of
social codes, norms, and customs in individual and societal life.
- Forms of Social Structure:
- Types of social groups: family, community, city, region, and social
class.
- Social stratifications: caste, ethnic and racial groups.
- Communication systems: herd, crowd, and mass communication.
- Associations: political, economic, and functional systems.
- Impact of Information Technology: How
IT influences and reshapes social structures.
Unit
4: Social Institutions and Processes (9 Hrs.)
- Understanding social structures,
societies, and civilizations.
- The interplay between science,
technology, and society.
- Exploration of key institutions:
- Economic and political institutions.
- Family and kinship.
- Social differentiation and
stratification.
Unit
5: Social Change (6 Hrs.)
- Concepts of change, development, and
progress.
- Factors driving social change.
- Exploration of modernity and
post-modernity.
- Globalization and its impact on the
changing world.
Unit
6: Application of Sociology (3 Hrs.)
- Role of sociology in social policy
and planning.
- Identifying and addressing social
problems.
This course prepares students to
analyze societal dynamics critically, emphasizing the integration of
information technology into social systems for meaningful progress.
