Name: Gupta History of Social Thought for MA Sociology 1st Semester Panjab University Chandigarh (English Medium)
Brand: Amit Book Depot
Price: 450 INR
Availability: InStock

Gupta History of Social Thought is the prescribed and authoritative book designed specifically for students pursuing the Master of Arts in Sociology, First Semester, at Panjab University, Chandigarh (English Medium). Authored by the respected academics P. L. Arora, Nanda, and Sachdeva, and published by Pepsu Book Depot, this book is meticulously crafted to align with the official syllabus (SOC R 411), serving as an indispensable resource for comprehensive exam preparation and conceptual clarity.

This book systematically addresses the core objective of the course: to introduce students to the historical evolution of sociological thought with a detailed, critical focus on the foundational contributions of classical sociologists—Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim. Its structure is directly mapped onto the four-unit framework of the Panjab University syllabus, ensuring seamless integration with classroom teaching and self-study. The content is presented in clear, accessible English, making complex theories understandable for graduate-level students.

The book begins with Unit I, providing a brief review of Enlightenment thought and the conservative reaction, with specific attention to Auguste Comte and his pioneering work, including the Hierarchy of Sciences. This unit sets the stage for understanding the origins of sociology as a discipline. Unit II offers an in-depth exploration of Karl Marx's sociological theory. It meticulously covers his methodology, including historical determinism and dialectical materialism. Key concepts such as the theory of capitalism, class conflict, class struggle, and a comparative analysis of social stratification as viewed by both Marx and Max Weber are explained in detail, aiding students in grasping the materialist conception of history.

Unit III is dedicated to Max Weber's multifaceted contributions. It delves into his methodological frameworks, including Verstehen, value-neutrality, objectivity, and the construction of ideal types. The unit elaborates on Weber's theory of social action, its types, and his seminal work on the spirit of modern capitalism, linking Protestant ethics to economic behavior. Critical discussions on bureaucracy, rationalization, power, domination, and legitimate order are included, providing a holistic view of Weberian sociology. Unit IV comprehensively covers Emile Durkheim's functionalist perspective. It explains his sociological methodology centered on social facts, the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity, and the social division of labor. Detailed chapters are devoted to his seminal theories of suicide as a social fact and the sociological theory of religion, analyzing the sacred and the profane.

A defining feature of Gupta History of Social Thought is its tailored utility for exam success. It includes a dedicated section for "Short Answers," which is crucial for tackling the compulsory first question in the university exam paper, which consists of 10 short-answer questions worth 20 marks. The long, discursive chapters prepare students for the four 15-mark essay questions drawn from each unit. The book’s "Table of Contents" and chapter organization mirror the "Course Outline" of the syllabus, allowing for targeted study. The inclusion of the detailed syllabus and explicit instructions for paper-setters and candidates within the book provides students with transparent insight into the exam pattern, marking scheme, and internal assessment guidelines.

For MA Sociology students at Panjab University, this book is more than a book; it is a structured guide to mastering the History of Social Thought. It bridges the gap between the prescribed syllabus and examinable content, emphasizing the application of classical theories to contemporary issues as mandated by the course objectives. Keywords: MA Sociology book, Panjab University syllabus, Sociology first semester, History of Social Thought, Classical Sociologists, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, Auguste Comte, Pepsu Book Depot, Gupta Sociology, SOC R 411, exam guide, English medium, social theory, prescribed book.

Have Doubts Regarding This Product ? Ask Your Question

Q1

Is this book strictly aligned with the current MA Sociology, Semester I syllabus for Panjab University, Chandigarh?

A1

Yes, this book is specifically written and structured to match the exact syllabus (SOC R 411: History of Social Thought) prescribed by Panjab University for the first semester of its MA Sociology program.
Q2

Does the book include material for the compulsory short-answer section of the university exam?

A2

Absolutely. The book contains a dedicated "Short Answers" section designed to help students prepare for the compulsory first question of 10 short answers, which carries 20 marks.
Q3

How does the book's "Table of Contents" relate to the "Syllabus" provided at the back?

A3

The chapters are organized into four units that directly correspond to the four units in the official Panjab University syllabus. The syllabus is reprinted in the book for your reference, showing the direct mapping between the course outline and the textbook content.
Q4

Are the theories of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim explained with reference to their application to contemporary issues, as mentioned in the course objective?

A4

Yes, the authors have contextualized the classical formulations with an eye toward their contemporary relevance, aiding students in fulfilling the third objective of the syllabus.
Q5

For private candidates, does the book explain how marks are calculated in lieu of internal assessment?

A5

Yes, the book includes the official university instruction regarding mark calculation for private candidates, which is crucial information often found within the reprinted syllabus section.
Q6

Does it cover both Max Weber's theory of social action and his analysis of bureaucracy?

A6

Yes, Unit III has separate, detailed chapters on Max Weber's Theory of Social Action, his methodology (including bureaucracy), and his theory of Modern Capitalism.
Q7

Is the section on Karl Marx detailed enough to cover concepts like alienation, base-superstructure, and class struggle separately?

A7

Yes, Unit II breaks down Karl Marx's thought into focused chapters on methodology, capitalism, and class conflict, ensuring comprehensive coverage of these distinct but interrelated concepts.
Q8

Is the Enlightenment thought review limited only to Comte, or does it include Rousseau and St. Simon as per the syllabus?

A8

While the chapter title mentions a review of Auguste Comte, the content within Unit I covers the necessary groundwork on Enlightenment thought (with reference to Rousseau) and the conservative reaction, including St. Simon, as required by the detailed syllabus.
Q9

Is this book useful only for Panjab University students, or can others use it?

A9

While tailored for Panjab University, students from other universities with similar courses on Classical Sociological Thought or the History of Social Thought will find it a valuable and clearly written resource on Marx, Weber, Durkheim, and Comte.
Q10

Are definitions of key methodological terms like Verstehen, Ideal Type, and Social Facts clearly explained?

A10

Yes, the methodology of each thinker is given prime importance in respective units, with clear explanations of these foundational concepts essential for understanding their perspectives.

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History of Social Thought

UNIT - I

1. A Brief Review of Auguste Comte

2. Hierarchy of Sciences

UNIT - II

3. Karl Marx: Methodology, Historical Determinism, and Dialectical Materialism

4. Karl Marx: Theory of Capitalism

5. Marx: Class Conflict or Class Struggle

6. Social Stratification: Max Weber and Karl Marx

UNIT - III

7. Max Weber: Methodology, Objectivity, Bureaucracy, and Positions

8. Max Weber’s Theory of Social Action

9. Max Weber’s Modern Capitalism

UNIT - IV

10. Emile Durkheim: Sociological Methodology and Division of Labor

11. Theory of Suicide

12. Theory of Religion

Short Answers

Latest Syllabus of History of Social Thought for MA Sociology 1st Semester Panjab University (PU) Chandigarh (English Medium),

SEMESTER-I

SOC R 411: HISTORY OF SOCIAL THOUGHT

Objective:

1. To introduce students to the historical evolution of sociological thought.

2. To sensitize students to a detailed study of classical sociologists, i.e., Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim.

3. To apply the formulation of these thinkers to contemporary issues.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PAPER-SETTER AND THE CANDIDATES

(i) The theory question paper will be of 80 marks, and 20 marks will be for internal assessment. The duration of the paper will be 3 hours.

(ii) For private candidates, who have not been assessed earlier for internal assessment, the marks secured by them in the theory paper will proportionately be increased to the maximum marks of the paper in lieu of internal assessment.

The paper setter must put note (ii) in the question paper.

The syllabus has been divided into four units.

There shall be 9 questions in all. The first question is compulsory and shall be a short answer type containing 10 short questions spread over the whole syllabus to be answered in about 30 to 35 words each, carrying 20 marks, i.e., 2 marks each. The rest of the paper shall contain 4 units. Each unit shall have two long questions and the Candidates shall be given an internal choice of attempting one question from each unit—4 in all. Each question will carry 15 marks.

Course Outline:

Unit-I

A brief review of Enlightenment Thought with special reference to Rousseau and of the Conservative Reaction to It, with Special Reference to St. Simon and Auguste Comte.

Unit II

Karl Marx: Methodology—the concepts of Totality: Historical Materialism, Human Praxis.

Basic Concepts: Means, Relations, and Modes of Production: Base and Superstructure; Contradiction, exploitation, and alienation.

Epochs of social development with special reference to capitalism; classes and class Conflict.

Unit III

Max Weber: Methodology—Verstehen, Value-Neutrality and Objectivity, Generality and the Ideal Type;

Basic concepts: social action and its types, social relationships, power, domination, and Legitimate Order.

Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism; the rationalization process, bureaucracy, distribution of power and social stratification.

Unit IV

Emile Durkheim: Methodology—the nature of social facts and their causation.

Basic concepts: Individual and collective conscience, social solidarity, and anomie; the Sacred and Profane, the Nature of Religion, and Suicide as a Social Fact.

Mechanical to organic solidarity, differentiation, and social division of labor.