The Scope of Sociology

Although sociology is the youngest branch of social science, it is constantly changing and dynamic. And as a dynamic science, its subject matter is to establish links between different individuals, groups and institutions of the society and to judge and analyze their interrelationships.

As we live in a society, the relationship between us is growing and so is the field of sociological research. As a result, the scope of sociology is gradually increasing. In fact, the whole society is the scope of sociology. And from that point of view, the scope / branches of sociology is:

1. Sociological Doctrines: The theories given by sociologists about the terms, suffixes, principles and generalizations of sociology are included in sociological doctrines.

2. Historical Doctrines: Historical doctrines include the past affairs of society, activities, evolution, social behavior, administration and the origin, development, way of life, etc. of ancient society.

3. Methods of Sociology: In order to study sociology, various methods such as historical, philosophical, comparative and survey methods are used.

4. Sociology of the Family: In this branch of aesthetics, the origin, development, variety, functions, etc. of the family are discussed.

5. Rural and Urban Sociology: Rural sociology deals with agriculture, economy, kinship, rural leadership and power, etc., and urban sociology deals with industrialization and urbanization, urban problems, environmental problems, etc.

6. Education Sociology: This branch discusses the relationship of social class with education and learning, the importance of educational institutions and the impact of education on social life.

7. Sociology of Religion: Religious rituals, beliefs, sociological interpretation of religion and the impact of religion on social life are discussed here.

8. Political Sociology: Political sociology includes the political history of a society, elections, state, law, public opinion, power and authority, citizenship, democracy, etc.

9. Sociology of Development and Underdevelopment: The causes of development and underdevelopment include bureaucracy, military bureaucracy, foreign aid, role of multinational corporations, economic inequality, exploitation, hegemony, colonialism and neo-colonialism.

10. Sociology of Law: Sociology of law discusses the lifestyle of people living in a society and legal issues such as crime and sociological interpretation.

11. Social Demography: Population theory, population structure, birth rate, mortality rate, population distribution and its effects are discussed here.

12. Social Psychology: It focuses on motivation, personality, attitude, group, leadership, socialization, campaigning, etc.

13. Cultural Sociology: The invention, evolution, cultural elements of material and non-material culture and the impact of culture in social life.

14. Social Thought: Here theoretical and philosophical explanations are given about the thoughts and social actions of various thinkers related to society.

15. Social Statistics: Methods and techniques for providing numerical explanations of existing events in society and for its analysis are discussed here.

In addition to these, the fields of ship sociology, capitalism and sociology, medical sociology, military sociology, social anthropology, environmental sociology, folk sociology, group sociology, etc. are accelerating the state of sociology and enriching its reading day by day.

In the light of the above discussion, we can say that this changing society is evolving in various forms as a result of various ups and downs and inter-conflicts and due to this inevitable change the scope of sociology is gradually increasing. In fact, the scope of sociology is not tied to any particular table.

Definition of Educational Sociology

 The following definitions of educational sociology will make it easier to comprehend the nature, scope and importance of the subject:

According to Brown “Educational sociology is the study of the interaction of the individual and his cultural environment”. 

According to Carter “Educational sociology is the study of those phases of sociology that are of insignificance for educative processes, especially the study of those that point to valuable program of learning and control of learning processes”.

On the other hand, Ottoway says “Educational sociology starts with the assumption that education is an activity which goes on the society and the society in its turn determines the nature of education”

Value of the Sociology of Education

1. Stress on Professional or Vocational Education: The sociological tendency lays stress on enabling the child to earn his livelihood through professional education.
2. Opposition to Individualism: The sociological tendency was born out of reaction to individualism. It stresses the importance of society, as against the individual.
3. Social Progress as the Aim of Education: Social welfare is the aim ascribed to education by the sociological tendency. Children should be trained only for this through a system of free and compulsory education. This should make them responsible members of society.
4. Faith in Democracy: The sociological tendency also evinces faith in democracy. In a democracy, education is based on the cooperation between the state and society, and besides, the success of democracy depends upon the education of its members.
5. Clarification of Social Problems: The sociological tendency clarifies social problems and suggests ways and means of solving them through education. Many social reforms can be brought about by education, and it can create an entirely new generation which may be free of the defects inherent in the older generation.
6. Raising the Standard of Social Life: The sociological aim of education is to raise the standard of social life by achieving the child’s comprehensive development. Education must train the individual to fulfil his social responsibilities. It is fails to do this education cannot be said to have any utility.
7. Importance to Social Sciences: The presence of the sociological tendency in education has led to greater importance being attached to the social sciences, so that the child can understand social phenomena and problems, and thus be enabled to make some positive contribution to social welfare. 
8. Importance to Social life in the School: Social life within the school has been recognized as important because of the sociological tendency. It is now suggested that authorities should encourage the formation of committees which train the child for later social life.
9. Education as an Agency of Social Progress: According to sociologists, education is the best means of social control, social change and thus, finally, of social progress. All social changes that may become necessary for social progress can be easily brought about through education. Social control becomes a measure of self-control through education because education socializes the individual. 

Nature and Characteristics of Urbanization

Urbanism the term used for patterns of cultural and social interaction which results from the concentration of large population in to relatively small area. Actually we find some definition of urbanization. This are-
 

According to Collins Dictionary of Sociology 

“The social processes and relationship which the cause and consequence of the urban rather than the rural way of life”

According to G. Hurdetol the historical of urbanization

1. Extending from of time when began to live towards up until 18th century.
2. The rapid growth in the size of cities confident upon the process of urbanization.

Characteristics of Urbanization
We find some characteristics of urbanization. These are

1. Setting boundaries on urban areas that means there have boundaries in urban area.
2. Saving open space.
3. Creating new town.
4. Environment education restore on damage area.
5. Community based solid waste management.

Nature of Urbanization in Developing Country
 

The world people could reach billion people by 2025. According to some estimates 4 millions of these urban dwellers will be the residents of cities in developing counties. Most of the mega cities more than 8 million residents in 2015 are located in the developing countries.
 

Manuel Castles refers to mega cities as one of the main features of third millennium urbanization. They are not defining it by their size but also by their connection point between enormous human population and global economy. According to Castle mega cities function as magnets for the counties or regions in which they are located.
Two factors in particular must be taken into account. First, rates of population growth or industrialized nation. Urban growth fueled by high fertility roles among people who already living in cities.
 

Second, there is the widespread in migration from rural to urban areas- people are drawn to cities because their traditional system of production has destroyed and urban areas provides job opportunities. Urbanization growth rate in developing country is 2.3%, in Dhaka 7% and in develop country 0.4%.

What is the Meaning and Characteristics of Primate City?

The Law of the Primate city was pronounced by Mark Jefferson (1939). According to him if a city in a country disproportionally larger than any other cities as like London is 7 times greater than Liverpool and Mexico City 5 times greater than Guadalahara based on his observation law stated that “A countries leading city is always disproportionately large and exceptionally expressive of national capacity and felling.”
 

The Primate City is larger than any other city in the urban system and dominates all other cities not only in population size but also in its role as political, economic and social center of the country.
John and Turner

“The city which is more popular and dominant both economically and politically over rest of the cities in a particular country”

Law of Primate City
Factors that related to the Primate City

1. Agriculture Economy.
2. Export oriented trade.
3. Rapidly growing population.
4. Having colonial History.

Characteristics of Primate City

1. International familiarity for a political sub-division. 
2. Actively participate in international events. 
3. Having a fairly large population. 
4. Having a major international airport.
5. Advanced transportation system.
6. International culture and community. 
7. International financial institution.
8. A lively cultural seen. 
9. Having powerful media.
10. Storing sporting community.
11. Sports of international pilgrim.

Factors affecting Primate City

1. Small size of the county.
2. Colonial History.
3. Export orientation of the country.
4. Simple economy and political organization.
5. Duel economy.
6. Degree or level of primacy.

Remedies to Casteism

The following are some proposition about the solution of the problems arising out of casteism:

1. Proper Education: Proper education is the only way to solve the problem of casteism. Educational institution creates a space in which distinction of caste are not encourage. At the same time the children faces bad impact of this problem. Casteism can be destroyed only by the development of new psychological tendencies and behavioral patterns through increase of education.
2. Inter-caste Marriage:  Inter-caste marriage helps to decrease casteism. It also helps to the families to develop relation among there caste. In this way, the seed of casteism shall be unable to take root and even if it does, the resulting sapling will be so weak that it will subsequently be wiped out.
3. Lesser use of the Word Caste: One way of solving the problem of casteism is to make less frequent use of the word ‘caste’ so that there may be no traces of it left in the minds of the impressionable children and they should not be imbued with the idea of caste distinction. In this way, at least it will become possible to destroy the notion of casteism in the coming generations.
4. Cultural and Economic Equality: Another way of facing the problem of casteism is to introduce cultural and economic equality of the various castes. Discrimination in cultural and economic sector increase casteism.  Hence, the restoration of cultural and economic equality among various castes is an important step towards the abolition of casteism from the society.