MA Sociology Syllabus: Complete Details

Human society is the most complex, unique and intriguing civilization to have ever existed. For those interested in exploring social behaviour and constructs in human society,  Sociology provides an insightful understanding of how human society works as well as the functioning of human culture and customs. If you are aiming to study Sociology at an advanced level, MA Sociology is a suitable choice as it encompasses the study of various important aspects of society like social relations, social structure, interaction and mechanism. This blog brings you a detailed overview of MA Sociology syllabus so that aspirants are aware of the areas they are likely to explore during the course of this program.

Course Level	Postgraduate
Full Form	Master of Arts in Sociology
Duration	2 years
Universities	Several
Course Fee	INR 5,000 to INR 3,00,000
Job Opportunities	Counsellor, Consultant, Administrator, Journalist, and Researcher

Recommended Read: BA Sociology

What is MA Sociology?

Master of Arts in Sociology is a 1-2 year postgraduate degree which focuses on covering various facets of society which play an imperative role in the functioning of human civilization. MA sociology syllabus is spread across an array of subjects like religion, political sociology and economic sociology. It also encompasses a comprehensive overview of the major concerns and debates in sociology and encourages students to explore research applications and tools to delve deeper into contemporary issues. Completing this degree, you can look forward to building a rewarding career in research or discover job opportunities in various sectors including but not limited to consulting, journalism, administration, counselling, academia, etc. 

MA Sociology Syllabus

MA Sociology has a broader scope and allows its scholars to study various shades of society in this degree. It is generally classified in semesters, either two or four, depending upon the duration of the course. Here is a semester-wise structure for MA sociology syllabus as a 2-year degree program:

Semester	Major Subjects Covered
Semester I	Foundational Sociology Sociological Theories General Sociology Religion and Society Political Sociology Contemporary Social Theory
Semester II	Methodology of Sociological Research Sociology of Development Economic Sociology Modern Sociological Theory
Semester III	Advanced Social Theory Gender and Society Social Change and Political Order Sociology of Education Sociology of Environment
Semester IV	Population and Society Urban Sociology Social Problems Sociology of Violence Design of Social Research Dissertation

Also Read: Career in Social Justice

MA Sociology: Core Subjects

MA Sociology syllabus comprises a vast range of subject areas that can be new for those who haven’t studied Sociology at an undergraduate level. During the first semester of this program, students are provided with a foundational understanding of sociology thus helping them explore the advanced topics in a better way. Below, we have detailed some of the major subjects covered under the syllabus of MA Sociology:

Sociological Theory

This is a vast area of study and covers abstract thoughts and ideas in relation to various historical occurrences. It involves diverse sociological theories provided by major sociologists like Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Max, etc. 

Methodology of Sociological Research

Under the MA Sociology Syllabus, this specialised subject emphasizes on qualitative research to instil a practical approach in the theoretical module. Students are taught various research techniques and methodologies and their practical applications. This is an integral part of the course enabling the students to explore a career in research.

Also Read: Types of Research Design

Social and Political Change Order

This topic focuses on the transitioning social world and how various political ideas like communism, liberalism and democratic political order affect countries worldwide and conceptions that help in understanding the structure of the society from a political viewpoint and in a social sphere. 

Sociological Violence

This module focuses on the multifaceted understanding of the term “violence” and involves discussions on the theoretical and practical understanding of its terminology and the implications in contemporary society. 

Design of Social Research

This segment presents an idea about central topics of social research and the logic associated with each topic. As an essential component of MA Sociology Syllabus, this subject incorporates rigorous debates and discussion on how social research should be carried out on popular issues concerning the society.

Also Read: Industrial Sociology

Elective Subjects

Along with the core subjects mentioned above, here are the major electives under the MA Sociology syllabus:

• Social Suffering
• Politics and Sociology of the Environment
• Critical Social Research: Truth, Ethics and Power
• Qualitative Research
• Quantitative Data Analysis
• Social Change & Political Order
• Sociology of Violence
• Design of Social research

Aslo Read: Best Sociology Books for Government Exams

MA Sociology Syllabus DU

Year 1

• Religion and Society
• Sociology of Kinship
• Sociological Theories
• Sociological Theory: Some Conceptual Issues

Year 2 

• Methods of Sociological Research
• Social Stratification
• Sociology of Development
• Sociology of Symbolism

MA Sociology Syllabus IGNOU

	Year 1
Course Code	Course Name	Credits
MSO-001	Sociological Theories and Concepts	8
MSO-002	Research Methodologies and Methods	8
MSO-003	Sociology of Development	8
MSO-004	Sociology in India	8
	Year 2
Course Code	Course Name	Credits
MSOE-001	Sociology of Education	8
MSOE-002	Diaspora and Transnational Communities	8
MSOE-003	Sociology of Religion	8
MSOE-004	Urban Sociology	8
MPS-003	India: Democracy and Development	8
MPA-016	Decentralisation and Local Governance	8

MA Sociology Syllabus for JNU

Compulsory Courses

• SS 451N – Methodology of Social Sciences
• SS 452N – Sociological Thinkers
• SS 453N – Culture, Personality and Society
• SS 454N – Family Life and Kinship in India
• SS 455N – Anthropological Theories
• SS 456N – Economy and Society in India
• SS 457N – Sociology of Social Stratification in India
• SS 458N – Religion and Society in India
• SS 459N – Sociological Theory
• SS 460N – Techniques of Social Research
• SS 461N – Polity and Society in India

Optional Courses

• SS 413N – Industry and Society in India
• SS 414N – Sociology of Knowledge
• SS 415N – Law and Society in India
• SS 416N – Sociology of Medicine
• SS 417N – Sociology of Science
• SS 418N – Sociology of Minorities and Ethnic Groups
• SS 419N – Bureaucracy and Development in India
• SS 420N – Sociology of Education in India
• SS 421N – Tribal Sociology in India
• SS 422N – Peasant Sociology in India
• SS 423N – Sociology of Urban Life in India
• SS 424N – Sociology of Professions
• SS 425N – Themes in Social Anthropology – Analysis of Monographs
• SS 426N – Statistics in Social Sciences
• SS 427N – Population and Society in India

Note: The aforementioned list of the optional subjects is not exhaustive.

Syllabus for MA Sociology HPU

Semesters	Subjects
Semester 1	-Classical Sociological Tradition- I -Methodology of Social Research -Social Stratification and Change
Semester 2	-Classical Sociological Tradition- II – Perspectives on Indian Society -Sociology of Environment
Semester 3	-Theoretical Perspective in Sociology- I -Sociology of Development -Rural Sociology or Urban Sociology or Social Demography or Criminology
Semester 4	-Theoretical Perspective in Sociology- II -Comparative Sociology -Social Psychology or Science, Technology and Information Society or Sociology of Health and Aging or Sociology of Kinship, Marriage and Family

MA Sociology Syllabus Lucknow University

Semester 1

• Classical Sociological Tradition I 
• Methodology of Sociological Research 
• Sociology of Change and Development 
• Comparative Sociology 

Semester 2

• Classical Sociological Tradition II
• Methods and Techniques of Sociological Research 
• Theoretical Perspectives on Development
• Comparative Sociological Theories 

Semester 3

• Modern Sociological Theories 
• Perspectives on Indian Society
• Optional Paper
• Optional Paper

Semester 4

• Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
• Contemporary Society and Culture in India 
• Optional Paper
• Optional Paper

MA Sociology Syllabus Kanpur University

Semester 1

• Classical Sociological Tradition I 
• Methodology of Sociological Research 
• Sociology of Change and Development 
• Comparative Sociology 

Semester 2

• Classical Sociological Tradition II
• Methods and Techniques of Sociological Research 
• Perspective on Indian Societies 
• Sociology of Environment and Disaster Management 

Semester 3

• Industry and Societies in India 
• Social Movements in India
• Optional Paper
• Optional Paper

Semester 4

• Science Technology and Society
• Contemporary Society and Culture in India 
• Optional Paper
• Optional Paper

MA Sociology Syllabus for MJPRU 

Year 1

• Classical Sociological Traditions 
• Methodology of Social Research
• Gender and Society (Optional)
• Environment and Society (Optional)
• Royal Society in India (Optional)
• Sociology of Marginalized Communities (Optional) 
• Globalization and Society (Optional)

Year 2

• Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
• Perspective on Indian Societies 
• Urban Society in India (Optional)
• Sociology of Aging (Optional)
• Industry and Society in India (Optional)
• The Study of Indian Diaspora (Optional)
• Political Sociology (Optional)

MA Sociology Syllabus BHU 

Semester 1 

• Paper  S1:01 Social Anthropology
• Paper  S1:02  Methodology Of Social Sciences
• Paper  S1:03  Group Processes And Dynamics
• Paper  S1:04 Classical Social Thinkers
• Paper  S1:05 Sociology Of Environment

Semester 2

• Paper  S2:01 Tribal Economy And Society
• Paper  S2:02 Social Statistics
• Paper  S2:03 Theories Of Group Interaction
• Paper  S2:04 Traditional Theoretical Foundations
• Paper  S2:05 Sociological Reviews And Viva- Voce               

Semester 3 

• Compulsory Papers
• Paper  S3:01 Modern Sociological Theories
• Paper  S3:02 Sociology of India
• Optional Papers
• Group A –  Rural and Urban Systems
  • Paper  S3:03 Rural Sociology
  • Paper  S3:04  Urban Sociology   
• Group B – Social Demography and Demographic Dimensions of Community Health
  • Paper  S3:03  Social Demography
  • Paper  S3:04  Demographic Dimensions of Community Health
• Group C – Women’s Studies
  • Paper  S3:03  Women and Society
  • Paper  S3:04  Women and Social Change in India
• Group D –  Industrial Organisation and Management
  • Paper  S3:03  Industrial Sociology
  • Paper  S3:04  Industrial Management
• Group E – Tribal Studies
  • Paper  S3:03  Social Anthropology: Conceptual and Methodological Issues
  • Paper  S3:04  Tribes in India
  • Paper  S3:05  Dissertation

Semester 4

• Compulsory Papers
• Paper  S4:01  Advanced Sociological Theories
• Paper  S4:02  Continuity and Change In India
• Optional Papers
• Group A – Rural and Urban Systems
  • Paper  S4:03  Peasant Society and Social Change
  • Paper  S4:04  Urbanization and Social Change
• Group B –  Social Demography and Demographic Dimensions of Community Health
  • Paper  S4:03  Population Growth and Policies
  • Paper  S4:04  Community Health Management
• Group C – Women’s Studies
  • Paper  S4:03  Gender and Development
  • Paper  S4:04  Gender Mobility and Change
• Group D – Industrial Organization and Management
  • Paper  S4:03 Working Class and Industrial Development
  • Paper  S4:04 Industrial Relations and Personnel Management
• Group E – Tribal Studies
  • Paper  S4:03  Tribal Institutions
  • Paper  S4:04  Perspectives of Tribal Development
  • Paper  S4:05  Viva -Voce

Best Universities for MA Sociology

There are several universities across the world which offer an MA Sociology or its related course variants. While making a decision to pursue this course, awareness about the university ranked best for Sociology courses will help you in making a beneficial decision. Enlisted below is the list of such prestigious universities offering master’s degree courses in Sociology:

University			Country
Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences			Netherlands
University Institute of Lisbon			Lisbon
Charles University			Czech Republic
University of Algarve			Portugal
University of Kent			United Kingdom
Bangor University			Wales
Cardiff University			United Kingdom
University of Pretoria			South Africa
University of Limerick			Ireland
The New School			United States

Also Read: Scope of Sociology as a Career

FAQs

Can I do PhD after MA in sociology?

If you want to become an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor at a college or university after getting your MA in sociology, you can take the National Eligibility Test (NET) or the State-level Eligibility Test (SET). If you pass. You can also get a PhD or M.Phil. and teach sociology at the college level.

Is PG in sociology good?

When taking a bachelor’s or master’s course in sociology, students do a lot of research projects to learn more about social problems, try theories, and use data analysis to make better models for how societies grow. Students get a pay raise of 58% on average, and it can go up to 400%.

What is the government exam after MA in Sociology?

There are many options, such as UPSC, State PCs, UGC net, PhD entrance, MPhil entrance, and more.

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Thus, we hope that this blog helped you explore MA Sociology syllabus, course content, subjects as well as popular universities. Planning to pursue a degree in Sociology? Reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and we will assist you in selecting a suitable course and university which aligns your interests and preferences. Sign up for an e-meeting with us today!