The document provides an introduction to sociology, defining it as the scientific study of society and human interactions. It outlines the origins of sociology with figures like Ibn-e-Khuldun and August Comte, highlights major perspectives such as structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, and details sociology's applications across various fields. Overall, it asserts that sociology is an independent social science focusing on relationships and societal structures.

1. Introduction to Sociology
11 Oct, 2024

2. Introduction
1. Meaning and Definitions of Sociology
2. Origin of Sociology
3. Nature of Sociology
4. Major perspectives of Sociology
5. Sociology as Science
6. Applications/ Scope of Sociology
7. Relationship of Sociology with subjects

3. Introduction…
• 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.

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

5. Conclusion
On the basis of above definitions, we can conclude
“Sociology is the science of
society,
human behavior,
human interaction and
relationships”.

6. 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”.

7. 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”.

8. Nature of Sociology
• Sociology is an Independent Science
• Sociology is a social science not Physical science
• Sociology is relatively abstract science not a
concrete science
• Sociology is a generalizing and not a
particularizing science

9. Nature of Sociology
• Sociology is a General Science not a special
science
• Sociology is both a Rational and Empirical
Science

10. Major perspectives of Sociology
1 The Structural Functionalist
2 The Conflict
3 The Symbolic Interactionist

14. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. The Symbolic Interactionist
• 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?

19. Sociology as Science
• SCIENCE:
• “Science is a social institution and a way to
produce knowledge”
• Testable knowledge is called science.
TYPES OF SCIENCE:
Natural science
Physical science
Biological science
Social science

20. Social science
• Social sciences deals with social processes and
human behavior. It is more concerned with the
human and society. This includes
• sociology,
• history,
• anthropology,
• economics,
• political science,
• philosophy etc.

21. Applications/ Scope of Sociology
Education and Research
Agriculture
Industry
Trade and Business
Health
Population and Planning
Social Welfare
Social Policy, Planning and Development