Sociology

Sociology is the study of men considered as affecting and as affected by association," or, the study of human association, including whatever conduces to it or modifies it." - Professor Giddings, which follows: Sociology is an attempt to account for the origin, growth, structure, and activities of society by the operation of physical, vital, and psychical causes working together in a process of evolution." - Auguste Comte,a Frenchman: coined of the term sociology (Positive Philosophy in 1838). "Sociology" is composed of two words : socius, meaning companion or associate; and 'logos', meaning science or study. The etymological meaning of "sociology" is thus the science of society. o He believed that a science of sociology should be based on systematic observation and classification not on authority and speculation.

Importance of Sociology 1. Sociology makes a scientific study of society. Sociology because of its bearing upon many of the problems of the present
world has assumed such a great importance that it is considered to be the best approach to all the social sciences.

2. Sociology studies role of the institutions in the development of the individuals. Sociology studies these institutions and
their role in the development of the individual and suggests suitable measures for restrengthening them with a view to enable them to serve the individual better.

3. Study of sociology is indispensable for understanding and planning of society. It is rightly said that we cannot
understand and mend society without any knowledge of its mechanism and construction. Without the investigation carried out by sociology no real effective social planning would be possible.

4. Sociology is of great importance in the solution of social problems. The scientific study of human affairs will ultimately
provide the body of knowledge and principles that will enable us to control the conditions of social life and improve them.

5. Sociology has drawn our attention to the intrinsic worth and dignity of man. We can hardly know the people of other
areas intimately. In order to have insight into and appreciation of the motives by which others live and the conditions under which they exist a knowledge of sociology is essential.

6. Sociology has changed our outlook with regard to the problems of crime etc. The criminals are now treated as human
beings suffering from mental deficiencies and efforts are accordingly made to rehabilitate them as useful members of the society.

7. Sociology has made great contribution to enrich human culture. It enables man to have better understanding both of
himself and of others. By comparative study of societies and groups other than his existence, his life becomes richer and fuller than it would otherwise be. Sociology also impresses upon us the necessity of overcoming narrow personal prejudices, ambitions and class hatred.

8. Sociology is of great importance in the solution of international problems. The world is divided politically giving rise to 9.
stress and conflict. Men have failed to bring in peace. Sociology can help us in understanding the underlying causes and tensions. The value of sociology lies in the fact that it keeps us update on modern situations. It adds to the knowledge of the society. It helps the individual find his relation to society. The study of social phenomena and of the ways and means of promoting what Giddens calls social adequacy is one of the most urgent needs of the modern society.

Anthropology

- Greek words anthropo meaning human and logy meaning science - Scientific study of humanity

- Anthropology studies who and how man is evolved over the period of time, why he looks like the way and the way he talks and acts in particular manner. It is broad discipline dedicated to the comparative study of mankind, from its first appearance to its present stage of development. It is concerned with all the varieties of human population in every part of the world, both past and present. - Anthropology looks at man both in time and space. Time means the stages of development of man in the process of evolution during different periods of time and space refers to the differentiation of physical and cultural types in modern man living in different environs all over the world. - Anthropology studies the primitive, pre-literate, simple, small societies which are not studied by other disciplines. In anthropology fieldwork or the first hand study of people through personal observations, interview and interaction is very significant. It depends on the direct evidence. In anthropology fieldwork or the first hand study of people through personal observations, and not the view of people through a security camera without them knowing, interview and interaction is very significant. - Anthropology is the study of man by man. It is a study which tries to examine in objective way the evidences. People are given importance in anthropological studies as it is concerned with the nature and behavior of each and every group of individuals. - According to Roger Keesing and Felix Keesing anthropology is a study of universalities and uniqueness; a study of startling contrast and surprising similarity; a study of meaning and logic in what seems bizarre. Anthropology is thus historically and geographically vast in its scope. Difference from Sociology: According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, sociology is the "the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings." According to the same source, anthropology is "the study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space and in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture." Three perspectives of Sociology:
Sociologists analyze social phenomena at different levels and from different perspectives. From concrete interpretations to sweeping generalizations of society and social behavior, sociologists study everything from specific events (the micro level of analysis of small social patterns) to the big picture (the macro level of analysis of large social patterns).

Sociologists today employ three primary theoretical perspectives: the symbolic interactionist perspective, the functionalist perspective, and the conflict perspective. These perspectives offer sociologists theoretical paradigms for explaining how society influences people, and vice versa. Each perspective uniquely conceptualizes society, social forces, and human behavior.