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.