Glocal Law School (GLS)

SYLLABUS

Sociology I: The Anatomy of Social Life

SEMESTER I
B.A.LL.B, B.B.A.LL.B, BBA, BCOM

Prepared By

Khalid Anis Ansari

Email: ansarika@theglocaluniversity.in; Phone: 08392939360

Course Description
The Enlightenment (or Age of Reason) marks a watershed in the cognitive history of
humankind. Initiated in the 16th and 17th century Europe, it led to the development of the
‘scientific method’ with a qualitatively new way of thinking concerned with the application of
reason, experience and experiment to the natural and social world. The earlier divine
certitudes about cosmos and social life were ruthlessly displaced and a new conception of
the ‘social’ was constituted. Society became an object of scientific enquiry and
transformation giving birth to a number of social sciences. Not only did the Enlightenment
inspire the French and American revolutions with its humanist focus, but it also betrayed its
ugly underside: the history of Western colonial plunder and conquest. All these critical
developments have unalterably informed the knowledge processes on a global scale. Hence,
this course seeks to familiarize the students with the discursivity and the power-knowledge
complex within which Sociology as a specific discipline within social sciences was
constituted and reproduced. Also, the overarching attempt is to make the future lawyers and
management professionals sensitive to social issues and problems. The course discusses the
basic concepts of sociology and seeks to explain how society is constituted and how
different institutions give unique shape to each society.

Objectives of the Course

The broader objective of this course is to provide the students with a preliminary overview
of the discipline of Sociology, especially with a view to inculcate in them an appreciation for
the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge and its constitution within relations of power.
More specifically, the aspiration is to sensitize the future lawyers and management
professionals with regards to various social issues thereby enabling them to arrive at
informed and quality decisions at the workplace.

Evaluation Scheme
The examination system of the University promotes constant monitoring and ensures
transparency of the evaluation methods. Keeping this in mind University has adopted two
tiers of assessment method viz. continuous assessment and end-term written examination.
Skills of reading, research analysis and writing will be assessed through project work. Efforts
will be made to ensure that the examination method is innovative and capturing of student
interest. In order to promote transparency and objectivity, detailed evaluation report of
project assignments as also answer scripts are given to students for their perusal.

The performance of the students on this course is assessed on the basis of 100 marks. The
overall assessment of 100 marks is divided as under:
 • Internal Evaluation (30 Marks): The tentative plan of the Internal Evaluation will
be on the following basis:

Assessment Mode Marks

Written Submission 5 Mark
Presentation 10 Marks
Class Tests 10 Marks
Attendance 5 Marks
Total 30 Marks

• Mid Semester Examination (20 Marks)

• End Semester Examination (50 Marks)

Written examination of 20 Marks will be conducted in the middle of a Semester and written
examination of 50 Marks will be conducted at the end of the semester.

Course Outline

MODULE DESCRIPTION
I The Sociological Perspective
The Scope of Sociology| Methodological Orientations: Positivism,
Humanism, Materialism| Theories of Society: Functionalism, Marxism,
Interactionism| Scientific Method and Social Research

II Types of Human Collectivities

Evolution of Society| Classification of Groups

III Social Order

Social Structure| Status and Role| Basic Concepts: values, norms, custom,
folkways, mores, law, etiquette, fashion| Socialization, Social Control and
Deviance

IV Social Process and Change

Social Processes| Culture and Civilization| Types of Social Interaction|
Social Phenomena and Social Change
V Society, Culture and Personality
Basic concepts and Theories| Types of Personality| Various Theories on
Personality| Character and Society
Main Readings
I have assigned a full-length text book for this course. Other articles will be distributed
through the progress of the semester.

Oommen, T. K. & Venugopal, C. N., Sociology for Law Students (Eastern Book
Company, Lucknow: 2015)