Sociology is the academic study of social behaviour, including its origins, development, organization, and

institutions.[1] It is a social science that uses various methods of empirical investigation[2] and critical
analysis[3] to develop a body of knowledge about social order, social disorder and social change. Many
sociologists aim to conduct research that may be applied directly to social policy and welfare, while
others focus primarily on refining the theoretical understanding of social processes. Subject matter ranges
from the micro level of individual agency and interaction to the macro level of systems and the social
structure.[4]

The traditional focuses of sociology include social stratification, social class, social mobility, religion,
secularisation, law, sexuality and deviance. As all spheres of human activity are affected by the interplay
between social structure and individual agency, sociology has gradually expanded its focus to further
subjects, such as health, medical, military and penal institutions, the Internet, education, and the role of
social activity in the development of scientific knowledge.

Specialistic or Formalistic School:

CRITISM (FORMALISTIC SCHOOL OF THOUGHT)

This view is criticized as the scope of sociology is narrowed by this. According to them sociology should
study not only about general forms of social relationship but also their contents of whole social life. They
claim this view as impractical, because no social sciences can be studied in isolation from other social
sciences. They claim that more emphasis is to be given on inter disciplinary that close interdisciplinary
approach.
Criticism of formalistic school:
CRITISM (SYNTHETIC SCHOOL OF THOUGHT)
This view claims that all the organs of social life are interviewed and interdependent. So, sociology
should study about overall society and social life. It doesn’t limit the area of the study. All parts of social
life are closely related so the study of one aspect is not sufficient to understand the entire phenomenon.

Sociology is important because it looks at the structure of society and how its components and
institutions fit together. It helps us to understand how institutions can help to socialise individuals in
society and this therefore provides a good insight into why we have different cultures.Jun 27, 2011

Sociological reasoning pre-dates the foundation of the discipline. Social analysis has origins in the
common stock of Western knowledge and philosophy, and has been carried out from as far back as the
time of ancient Greek philosopher Plato, if not before. The origin of the survey, i.e., the collection of
information from a sample of individuals, can be traced back to at least the Domesday Book in 1086,[10][11]
while ancient philosophers such as Confucius wrote on the importance of social roles. There is evidence
of early sociology in medieval Islam. Some consider Ibn Khaldun, a 14th-century Arab[12][13] Islamic
scholar from North Africa (Tunisia), to have been the first sociologist and father of sociology (see Early
Islamic philosophy#Branches); his Muqaddimah was perhaps the first work to advance social-scientific
reasoning on social cohesion and social conflict
1. To understand the basic concepts, language, and theories of sociology.
2. To become familiar with the strategies sociologists use to study human society.
3. To describe and explain major features of your own society, beginning with
the institutions that are closest to your own experience.
4. To understand the social dimensions of inequality and difference.
5. To decide whether you have an interest in further coursework in sociology and if so, to provide you a
solid basis for further study.