introduction to Sociology and economics . some important notes regarding sociology. as a part of B.ARCH 5th semester , VTU syllabus

1. SOCIOLOGY
&
BUILDING ECONOMICS
SEMESTER 5
FACULTY : Ar MAHIMA J

2. LEARNING APPROACHES
LEARNING
APPROACH
NON –ACTIVITY
BASED
Lectures &
notes ( by me
!)
written
Assignments
Quiz per class,
Reports etc.
Internals
Guest
lectures
ACTIVITY BASED
Group
activities
Debates
Presentations
Story board
Poster making
Individual
Pictorial
representations
(sketch plates )
Video making
70%
30%
% distribution of
hours to be spent
in class

3. Syllabus Blueprint :
SOCIOLOGY & BUILDING
ECONOMICS
MODULE 1
Introduction to Sociology
Elements of society
MODULE 2
communities
Urban and rural
communities
Cities and society
Social research
MODULE 3
Economics
Economic organization of
society
MODULE 4
Economics and the
market
MODULE 5
Urban land values
Building costs
Today

4. MARKS ! MARKS ! MARKS !
EVERY OUTCOME OF LEARNING ( BOTH UNDER
ACTIVITY BASED AND NON- ACTIVITY BASED) WILL
BE CONSIDERED & EVALUATED FOR
PROGRESSIVE MARKING
( 50 MARKS) .
INTERNALS
QUIZ, CLASS
TESTS
ACTIVITIES
EXTERNAL EXAMINATION – 100 MARKS

5. Attendance alerts !!
 Punctuality – BE PRESENT IN CLASS ON TIME
 95-100% attendance holders will get a surprise & special reward by
end of semester.
 85% attendance minimum ….. Yes You know it !

6. SBE classes
Wednesday (11-
12:40 am)
Ppt seminar
(1 hour)
Activity /
assignment
(40 mins)
Friday
(9-9:50 am)
Ppt seminar
(30 min)
Weekly quiz/
written test
(20 min)

7. INTRODUCTION TO
SOCIOLOGY
Module 1 - SESSION 1
FACULTY : Ar MAHIMA J

8. Learning Objectives
 What Is Sociology?
 Nature, Scope and Utility of Sociology
 Branches of Sociology.
 Relation of Sociology and its branches to architecture and
the built environment.

9. PART 1

10. What Is Sociology ?
 Sociology is the study of groups
and group interactions, societies
and social interactions, from small
and personal groups to very large
groups.
A group of people who live in a
defined geographic area, who
interact with one another, and who
share a common culture is what
sociologists call a society.

11. Macro and micro level analysis in
Sociology
 Sociologists study all aspects and
levels of society. Sociologists working
from the micro-level study small
groups and individual interactions,
while those using macro-level
analysis look at trends among and
between large groups and societies.
 For example, a micro-level study
might look at the accepted rules of
conversation in various groups such
as among teenagers or business
professionals.
 In contrast, a macro-level analysis
might research the ways that
language use has changed over time
or in social media outlets

12. Scope of sociology
 It means that sociology seeks to provide an analysis of
human society and culture with a Sociological
perspective.
 All sociologists are interested in experiences of individual
and how those experiences are shaped in interactions with
social groups and society as a whole.
 Cultural patterns and social forces put pressure on people
to select one choice over the other

13. Nature of sociology
 Sociology influences an individual’s decisions.
 Science of general nature- based on reason, observation
and experimentation.
 It is a category of social sciences and deals with the
experiences of people and their social life in general.
 A key basis of the sociological perspective is the concept
that the individual and society are inseparable

14. Utility of sociology
 Studying sociology is beneficial for both individuals and
society
 People learn how to think critically about social issues and
problems that confront our society.
 It enriches students’ lives and prepares them for careers in
an increasingly diverse world.
 Society benefits because people with sociological training
are better prepared to make informed decisions about
social issues and take effective action to deal with them.

15. BRANCHES OF SOCIOLOGY
 As sociology is considered a very popular and fast growing science came
into existence (only after 1839 AD) is vast and broad discipline. It has lots
of specialists so that we can divide it into various sub-divisions on the basis
of its contents.
 The main branches of sociology are as follows:
 Theoretical Sociologist
It includes micro theory or small/middle/large theory. The theories of Karl Marx,
August Cimte, Max Wever, Emmile Durkhaim, Sorokin, etc. are studied under the
theories of sociology.
E.g. The theories of “Economic determinism” and the theory of “Class Struggle” of Karl
Marx.
E.g. “Theory of Suicide” by Emmile Durkhaim.
 Historical Sociology
It is the study of social facts and social groups. It studies the background of any
social events. How and when different social groups or organizations originated ?
E.g. The history of Hindu, Roman, Greek, etc. and other major civilizations were studied
by P.A. Sorkin.

16.  Sociology of Knowledge
The newly emerged branch of sociology indicates that our
knowledge is the product of social phenomena. This means
knowledge is always influenced by society. The economic,
religious, political and other interests shape human beliefs and
ideas.
 Criminology
This branch of sociology studies the criminal behavior of
individuals or groups. Origin of crime, its types, nature, causes
as well as law, punishment, police, etc. come under this study.
The efforts for the improvement is also studied.
Different organizations establish to control the crime as well as
their role also come under its study.

17.  Sociology of Religion
This branch studies the structure of the religion in social system as no
society is free from the influence of it. It analyses the social behavior of
human beings. It also studies the religious constitutions and their role
in the society.
 Sociology of Economy
This branch of sociology studies production, distribution, consumption
and exchange of goods and services.
This branch also studies the economic activities of the society in which
the focus is given about the socio-cultural factors. The access in
production, the mode of distribution, the real consumers, the role of
culture in such activities are studied under it.

18.  Rural Sociology
This branch of sociology studies the way of life of rural
people as the rural population is higher than the urban.
The patterns of life such as behavior, belief, culture,
tradition norms, values, etc. are totally different than of
urban people. So, it studies the rural society in scientific
way. It also studies rural life, social institutions, social
structure, social processes, etc. of the rural society.
 Urban Sociology
This branch of sociology studies the way of life of urban
people. It gives information about the social organizations
and institution of urban society as well as social structure
and social interaction.
It also studies the social pathology of urban society such as
discrimination) crime, corruption, robbery, beggary, loot,
unemployment, prostitution, environmental pollution, etc.

19.  Political Sociology
This branch of sociology studies different political moments of
society. It includes the study of different political ideology (view),
their origin, development and functions. In this study, different
political parties are considered as social institutions. Various
activities and behavior of political parties are studied in this
branch. As they are the part of social system.
 Sociology of Demography
It is a scientific mathematical and statically study of population. It
studies about size, situation, composition, density, distribution,
and measurement etc. of the population.
In this branch of sociology, we study the distribution of human
population with the analysis of population change in sociological
perspectives. It also finds out the determining factors of
population change and its trend.

20.  Sociology of Law
Sociology of law and legal system are considered as the part of
social institution as law is one of the very important means of
social control. Law is related with other different social sub
systems. Such as economy, nature of distribution, authority,
structure of family kinship relationships, etc. So, this branch of
sociology is related to moral order for the society as formulation
and implementation of rules and regulations, law and order
under this.
 Industrial Sociology
This branch of sociology is concerned with the industrial
relationship of the human beings. It studies the different
industrial organizations and institutions. As well as their
interrelationship and links with other various institutions of
society. It also studies the inter relationships of industrial
institutions with various aspects of human life such as culture,
beliefs, customs, religion or the way of life.

21. “ MAKING CONNECTIONS - Sociology in the Real world -
Students and Social networking in covid situation “
 AIM : To understand the purpose and meaning of sociology.
 Groups – 2– these are the MICRO groups
 Group A- uses Social networking sites
And Group B – who don’t use Social networking sites much but believe in
face time for communication
 TASK – discuss all the points ( pros & cons of each group)
 EXECUTION FORMAT – Verbal presentation of both groups one by
one , followed by a DEBATE by both groups on same.
 Note – Make a list of your learnings and outcomes of this activity
ACTIVITY TIME
#1

22. Quick Quiz :
1) Sociology of _______________ studies about size, situation,
composition, density, distribution, and measurement etc. of
the population.
2) Sociology is the Science of general nature- based on
________, observation and experimentation.
3) ___________ ____________and social forces put pressure on
people to select one choice over the other
4) A group of people who live in a defined ______________ area,
who interact with one another, and who share a common
__________ is what sociologists call a society.
Write your answers and share pics :

23. PART 2

24. What is your perception about
these images ?
What kind of spaces are these?

25. Relation of Sociology and its branches to
architecture and the built environment.
 Sociology of architecture is the sociological study of the built environment and the
role and occupation of architects in modern societies.
 Architecture is basically constituted of the aesthetic, the engineering and the social
aspects. The built environment which is made up of designed spaces and the
activities of people are inter-related and inseparable. It is for us to understand this
interrelationship and put it down appropriately on paper.
 Architecture and urban space play an important role among the sociological and
psychological factors that influence humans and their wellbeing. Sociology and
psychology analyze the role of architecture in the conscious shaping of space.
Sociology of settlement, the city and the housing, deals, with building (or
architectural) activity of man, and his perception and needs.
 Architectural sociology approaches these questions in examining how architectural
forms both influence and react to sociocultural phenomena. A large proportion of
our human experience and social interaction occurs in the buildings in which
we live and work. Therefore, architectural sociologists use sociological
perspective to enhance building design.

26.  Architectural sociology is defined as the application of social
theory and methods to the architectural design process.
 It provides quantitative and qualitative research tools to
anticipate how designs impact people on a variety of levels.
 This thing is, sociologists need not necessarily be architects,
architects have to necessarily be sociologists to understand
people think and react to element in the built environment.

27. The following are reasons why architects must be
sociologists:
 The beliefs of the people affect the plan form.
 In indigenous Ghanaian Societies, the Circle is said to be a sacred shape it symbolizes
God's perfection.
 Therefore the people have their architecture portraying rounded plan forms.
 The people any northern Ghana live in small clusters of rounded huts. This is
influenced by the in belief that that rounded shapes presents God’s perfection

28.  The geographical location of the people affect their architecture. This
mainly affects the materials used.
 In the temperate regions like the America’s and the United Kingdom, more
glass is in their buildings. This help to trap heat indoors. They have a kind of
"glassy architecture.”
 Also the kind walls used in their building is affected. They use insulated walls
which trap heat between the walls.
Millennium Tower, San Francisco
London has a spiky
new steel and glass
steeple - the Shard.
This elongated
pyramid is in the
European Union at
height of 310m
St Mary Axe informally
known as The Gherkin, is
a commercial skyscraper
in London's primary
financial district, the City
of London

29.  In the tropical world, where its relatively hot all year round, less glass is
used to prevent the build-up of heat in the buildings.
 In America, especially North America, due to the abundance of wood, the
main building material is wood. Which is not so in the tropical world
(Ghana).
 In northern Ghana, the people there build round huts with mud using
the wattle and daub construction method.
 These huts are usually roofed in thatch on straw. Their homes usually
have small windows which reduces the amount of heat entering the
building. Generally the choice of materials here is to cool the
to the maximum.

30.  In Southern Ghana, where the Sea breeze is enjoyed, the architecture there is way
different from that of northern Ghana.
 Here, all sort of plan shapes are used, houses are relatively bigger and Sandcrete
block is the main building material used down in the South.
 For roofing aluminium roofing sheets n the most popular. Roofing tiles are also
used.

31.  The kind of architecture done in the temperate regions cannot fit in the
tropical world and vice versa.
 This is because the sociology of the people (skin Colour and type, way of living )
are not the same. Hence the difference in architecture.
 When people force foreign architecture into a place it becomes isolated and
odd.
An example of misplaced architecture is The
Supreme court building in Accra, Ghana.

32.  Religion is also another factor that Influences sociology. The kind of
religious building people put up vary from religion to religion.
as a whole, gave rise to various architectural forms.
 The Ionic, Corinth, and Doric techniques came about due to religion.
The Greeks used these styles to decorate their temples.

33. Selinunte. Temple E
The Parthenon (the epitome of the Doric
Order)
The Main Elements
of the Doric Order
(Temple of the
Dioscouri at
Agrigento)
Frontal view of the Hephaistion
in the Athenian Agora

34. Buddhist build temples with large domes on top called Stupas. The stupas
were built of stone or bricks to Commemorate important events or important
associated with Buddhism. These were used to house the relics of Buddha. These
temples were rock-cut. That is carved out of the rocks.
Shwedagon Pagoda in
Yangoon……..location ???
Guess ?
Dhamekh stupa in Sarnath, where Buddha gave his
first sermon
Buddhist Stupa in Sri Lanka

35. Guess this temple name
??

36.  In Islamic architecture, mosques are built with large domes on top. These domes usually carry the
Islamic crescent moon and star. This is the symbol of Islam.
 Also, Special courtyards called Sahn are almost always present. A courtyard is an enclosed area often
by a building which is open to the sky.
 “Sahn” refers to a courtyard Surrounded by an arcade at all sides. It contains asymmetrical pool where
ablutions are performed.
I
D
E
N
T
I
F
Y

37.  With respect to Christianity, churches are very huge. This is believed to represent God’s
superiority to man. These are usually decorated with Statues of Jesus Christ and the symbol of a
Cross.
 Religion goes all the way to influence the plan shape of churches. Especially Catholic churches. Most
Catholic Churches take the basic shape of the cross. It is believed by Christians that the Cross
Symbolizes atonement and reminds Christians of God's love in sacrificing his own son for humanity.
It represents Jesus' victory over sin and death. The St. Peter’s Basilica, Italy Is a perfect example of a
church with a Cross shaped plan.

38. With respect to Hinduism

39. “ARCHITECTURE BLOCK v/s ENGINEERING BLOCK “ – Campus
Scenes !! (micro analysis)
 Identify the spaces which can be easily recognized with
respect to their blocks and social behavior
 Individual activity
 One A4 / A3 sheet each
 Only pictorial representation , sketches , caricatures
 You may also add Architectural details
 You can pick BCOA or any other or something of out of your
imagination.
 Note – Make a list of your learnings and outcomes of this
activity
ACTIVITY TIME
#2

40.  Social institutions are many and these social institutions
sometimes need functional spaces to allow the people
using the building to benefit from all aspects of both, the
purpose of what inhabits the building and by the varied
structure and organized flow of communication.
 The way the buildings are designed to fulfill the needs of
these social institutions /social requirements can be said
to be the compliance of social aspects in architecture.

41. In Conclusion,,,,,,
Sociology affects every aspects of man’s existence. Sociologists
need not necessarily be architects, but architects have to
necessarily be sociologists to understand how people think
and react to element in the built environment.
Architects therefore here to understand how people reason
in order to make them live comfortably.

42. ASSIGNMENT 1
 Religion is also another factor that Influences sociology- A
DETAILED REPORT .
 Select 4 religions across the world.
 Write about peoples/ society/ community beliefs and how
they had an impact on design of their religious building .
 Support them with neat sketches .
 Format :A4 size sketch plates ( sheets) & put in a slip file
 Submission date :

43. References & sources
 www.Wikipedia.com
 https://openstax.org/details/books/introduction-sociology-
2e
 Relevance of sociology to architecture – by Barimah Ntow-
Kummi , architect
 https://notes.tyrocity.com/branches-of-sociology/