Sociology of Indian Society
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya · LL.B. Semester 3 · LAICTY5N
Unit I — Features of Indian Society
Hindu Philosophy: Basic Tenets of Hinduism · Varna System: The Four Varnas, and present-day relevance in the context of caste-based inequalities and affirmative action · Ashrama System: The Four Ashrams and their social role in present times · The Purusharthas: Dharma, Artha, Kaam and Moksha · Cultural Diversity: Linguistic, racial, ethnic and religious diversity; Unity in diversity with reference to regionalism, identity politics, and constitutional values · Caste System: Meaning and differences; classical and contemporary perspectives; Theories of caste; merits, demerits, and current developments in urban caste dynamics, reservation debates, and caste-based digital activism
Unit II — Social Structures
Community: Meaning and types; key features · Institutions: Meaning and characteristics; distinction from community and association · Associations: Meaning and characteristics · Changing structure of family and marriage: Shift from joint to nuclear families; live-in relationships; same-sex unions; legally recognized non-traditional family forms and their societal acceptance · Role of digital communities and online associations in shaping modern social life
- Basic concepts
- Norms, Values, Community, Associations, Institutions, Status and Role, Socialization, Culture, Social structure and Social system
- Social Institutions
- Marriage (Meaning, Functions of Marriage, Forms of Marriage, Recent Trends of Marriage)
- Family — Meaning, Functions of Family, Theories of Origin of Family, Types of Family, Changing Patterns of Family
Unit III — Social Processes
Social Control: Meaning and functions; distinction between formal and informal control; agencies such as family, religion, law, education, and media · Social Change: Meaning, nature, characteristics and factors (technological, demographic, legal, educational) · Theories of Social Change: Evolutionary, Conflict, Cyclical, and Functional · Role of law and judiciary in social change: Legal reforms and judicial pronouncements including decriminalization of Section 377 IPC, Triple Talaq judgment, Right to Privacy verdict · Influence of social media and digital technology in driving social change and mass movements
- Social Control — Meaning and Purpose, Types of social control-formal and informal
- Change — Social change
- Meaning, Characteristics, factors or causes of social change, processes of social change (Westernization, Modernization, Industrialization, Sanskritisation, Liberalization, Globalization)
- Theories of social change: Evolutionary Theories, Cyclical Theories, Functionalist Theories, Conflict Theories)
- Law and social change
- Introduction to Social Media
Unit IV — Social Problems and Legislative Measures
National Issues: Communalism, terrorism, alcoholism, and drug addiction · SCs, STs, BCs and Minorities: Social and economic issues; legal protections under the Constitution and statutory provisions such as SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and safeguards for minorities · Women and Children: Problems such as dowry, honour killing, human trafficking, decreasing sex ratio; relevant laws including the POCSO Act, Domestic Violence Act, and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 · Population Challenges: Child labour, ageing, declining child sex ratio, and issues of mental health and digital addiction among youth
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
- Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
- The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 (POCSO Act)
- National Commission for Minorities: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: Constitution, Role and Responsibilities
- Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
Unit V — Social Deviance
Meaning and factors leading to deviant behaviour · Forms of crime: Juvenile delinquency, white-collar crime, corruption, organized crime · Emerging areas of deviance: Cybercrime, online harassment, sextortion, misinformation, and trolling · Legal responses to deviance: Provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act, IT Act, Whistleblower Protection Act, and laws on economic offences