Rana Zahid Zulfiqar is a PhD scholar of sociology at GCUF and a lecturer of sociology at Multan Post Graduate College in Pakistan. The document outlines key concepts in sociology including: (1) definitions of sociology from scholars like Weber, Comte, and Durkheim; (2) the origins of sociology traced to Ibn-e-Khuldun and the formal establishment by Auguste Comte; and (3) the three major theoretical perspectives - structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Structural functionalism views society as systems of interconnected institutions, conflict theory sees class struggle as inherent to capitalism, and symbolic interactionism focuses on everyday social

1. Rana Zahid Zulfiqar
PhD Scholar Sociology(GCUF)
Lecturer Sociology, Multan Post Graduate
College, Multan (Pakistan).
ranazahidzulfiqar@gmail.com

2. 1. OUT LINE
1.1 Meaning
and Definitions
of Sociology
1.2 Origin of
Sociological
Theory
1.3 Major Three
perspectives of
Sociology

3. SOCIAL THEORY
Social theory refers to
Interconnected Parts
that condense an
organized Knowledge
about the social world.

4. 1.1. MEANING OF SOCIOLOGY
The term has been derived from two
words. The Latin “Socious” mean
companionship and the Greek “Logos”
mean study.
So the term literally means the study of
human companionship or association or
society.

5. 1.1 Definitions of Sociology
“Sociology is the study of social
action” (Max Weber).
“Sociology is the scientific
study of society”. (August
Comte)
“Sociology is the study of social
facts through social institutions
(Family, Education, Religion,
Economics and Politics)” (Emile
Durkhiem).

6. 1.1 Definition of Sociology
“Sociology is the
study of collective
behavior”. (Park &
Burgess)
Conclusion: On the
basis of above
definitions, we can
conclude that:
“Sociology is the
science of society,
human behavior,
human interaction
and relationships”.

7. 1.2 Origin of Sociology
Initially Sociology was introduced by Muslim Sociologist “Ibn-e-Khuldun
(1332-1406)” who belonged to Tunisya. He used the term of “Imraniyat”
Imran: Society
Yat: Study
“Sociology is the study of Society”.
Ibn-e-Khuldun was a historian and studied the different societies. His
methodology was based on “Casual relationship”.

8. 1.2 Origin and Development of
Sociology in the Modern Era
• Sociology was originated as a special
discipline in 1838 by a French
Sociologist “August Comte”. He
wanted to laid its foundation by using
the scientific methodology. He
regarded as “the Father of Sociology”.

9. 1.3 NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY
• Sociology is an Independent Science
• Sociology is a social science not Physical
science
• Sociology is a Categorical and not a Normative
Discipline
• Sociology is relatively abstract science not a
concrete science
• Sociology is a Generalizing and not a
particularizing science

10. 1.3 NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is a
General
Science not a
special
science
Sociology is
both a
Rational and
Empirical
Science

11. 1.4 MAJOR THREE PERSPECTIVES OF
SOCIOLOGY
1.4.1 The Structural
Functionalist
1.4.2 The
Conflict
1.4.3 The Symbolic
Interactionist

14. STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
• According to Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
sociology is the study of social institutions. There
are 5 basic institutions of the society and there is a
great role of these institutions in the functionality
of the society. If these institutions have good
collaboration than the society will move towards
development otherwise the society will suffer.
These institutions are like a parts of human body
,parts are attached with each other and if there is a
problem in one part of the hole body will disturb.

15. STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM
Family
Education
Religion
Economics
Politics

17. 1.4.2. THE CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
• Karl Marx viewed struggle between social
classes as inevitable because workers are
exploited under capitalism.
• They claimed that the Capitalists exploit the
working class by giving the low wages.
• The conflict perspective encouraged the
working class for gaining their rights by
radical movements.

19. 1.4.3 THE SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONIST
The interactionist perspective focuses on
social behavior in everyday life. It tries to
understand how people create and
interpret the situations they experience,
and it emphasizes how countless
instances of social interaction produce
the larger structure of society-
government, the economy and other
institutions.

20. 1.4.3 The Symbolic Interactionist
This perspective presumes that it
is only through these social
behavior of the people that
society can come into being.
Society is ultimately created,
maintained and changed by the
social interaction of its members.

21. 4.3 The Symbolic I nteractionist
• The Interactionist perspective in general invites the
sociologists to ask specific kinds of questions: what
kinds of Interaction are taking place between
people, how do they understand and interpret what
is happening to them, and why do they act toward
others as they do? How does someone learn to
experience cigarette smoking as pleasurable? What
tactics used by political leader to convince angry
Mob?

22. Thank You