There are various optional subjects in UPSC, aspirants have to choose one of them for the exam. Sociology is one of the popular Sociology Optional Syllabus for UPSC Mains that students can opt for. The optional papers I and II for sociology have topics to cover in detail to ensure aspirants score well. To provide students with a detailed syllabus of both papers, here is the list:
Paper 1- Sociology Optional
Here are the details of the syllabus covered in paper 1 of sociology optional:
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Sociology – The Discipline
- Modernity and social changes in Europe and the emergence of Sociology.
- Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
- Sociology and common sense.
Research Methods and Analysis
- Qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Techniques of data collection.
- Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability, and validity.
Sociology as Science
- Science, scientific method, and critique.
- Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
- Positivism and its critique.
- Fact value and objectivity.
- Non-positivist methodologies.
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Sociological Thinkers
- Karl Marx – Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.
- Emile Durkheim – Division of labor, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
- Max Weber – Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
- Talcott Parsons – Social system, pattern variables.
- Robert K. Merton – Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
- Mead – Self and identity.
Stratification and Mobility
- Concepts – equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty, and deprivation.
- Theories of social stratification – Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
- Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity, and race.
- Social mobility – open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources, and causes of mobility.
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Politics and Society
- Sociological theories of power.
- The power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
- Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
- Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.
Works and Economic Life
- Social organization of work in different types of society –
- Slave society,Feudal society,
- Industrial capitalist society.
- Formal and informal organization of work.
- Labor and society.
Religion and Society
- Sociological theories of religion.
- Types of religious practices-
- Animism,
- Monism,
- Pluralism,
- Sects,
- Cults.
- Religion in modern society- religion and science, secularisation, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.
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Social Change in Modern Society
- Sociological theories of social change.
- Development and dependency.
- Agents of social change.
- Education and social change.
- Science, technology, and social change.
Systems of Kinship
- Family, household, and marriage.
- Types and forms of family.
- Lineage and descent.
- Patriarchy and sexual division of labor.
- Contemporary trends.
Paper 2- Sociology Optional
Here are the details of the syllabus covered in Sociology optional paper 2:
Introducing Indian Society
Perspectives on the Study of Indian Society
- Indology (G.S. Ghure).
- Structural functionalism (M. N. Srinivas).
- Marxist sociology (A. R. Desai).
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Impact of colonial rule on Indian society
- Social background of Indian nationalism.
- Modernization of Indian tradition.
- Protests and movements during the colonial period.
- Social reforms.
Social Structure
Rural and Agrarian Social Structure
- The idea of Indian village and village studies
- Agrarian social structure – Evolution of the land tenure system, land reforms.
Caste System
- Perspectives on the study of caste systems: G. S. Ghurye, M. N. Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
- Features of the caste system.
- Untouchability-forms and perspectives
Social Classes in India
- Agrarian class structure.
- Industrial class structure.
- Middle classes in India.
Tribal Communities in India
- Definitional problems.
- Geographical spread.
- Colonial policies and tribes.
- Issues of integration and autonomy.
Systems of Kinship in India
- Lineage and descent in India.
- Types of kinship systems.
- Family and marriage in India.
- Household dimensions of the family.
- Patriarchy, entitlements, and sexual division of labour.
Religion and Society
- Religious communities in India.
- Problems of religious minorities.
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Social Changes in India
Visions of Social Change in India
- Idea of development planning and mixed economy.
- Constitution, law, and social change.
- Education and social change.
Rural and Agrarian Transformation in India
- Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation schemes.
- Green revolution and social change.
- Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
- Problems of rural labour, bondage, migration.
Industrialization and Urbanisation in India
- Evolution of modern industry in India.
- Growth of urban settlements in India.
- Working class: structure, growth, class mobilisation.
- The informal sector, is child labour.
- Slums and deprivation in urban areas.
Politics and Society
- Nation, democracy and citizenship.
- Political parties, pressure groups, social and political elite.
- Regionalism and decentralisation of power.
Secularization
Social Movements in Modern India
- Peasants and farmers’ movements.
- Women’s movement.
- Backward classes & Dalit movements.
- Environmental movements.
- Ethnicity and Identity movements.
Population Dynamics
- Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
- Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
- Population Policy and Family Planning
- Emerging issues:
- Ageing,
- Sex ratios,
- Child and infant mortality,
- Reproductive health.
Challenges of Social Transformation
- Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability.
- Poverty, deprivation and inequalities.
- Violence against women.
- Caste conflicts.
- Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
- Illiteracy and disparities in education.
Conclusion on Sociology Optional Syllabus
These are the complete details on the sociology optional syllabus for paper 1 and paper. In addition to main topics, sub-topics are also covered to ensure aspirants have detailed information. So, for students who are looking for a detailed sociology UPSC optional subject syllabus, this can help.
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