BA in Sociology Syllabus: Subjects, Semester, Government and Private Colleges

• Updated on  Jul 24, 2025, by Anusmita Bhatta

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology is a three-year undergraduate course that deals with the complexity of human society, social structures, cultural dynamics and social change. The course equips students with a background knowledge of sociological theories and methods both in Indian and world society.The syllabus usually consists of some compulsory topics like Introduction to Sociology, Sociological Theories, Indian Society, Research Methods, Social Stratification, etc. Students advance more specific issues such as Rural and Urban Sociology, Social Change and Movements, Social Institutions, and Classical and Contemporary Thought.

 

Along with these, electives are also available, where learners concentrate in fields such as Development Studies, Environment, Education, Media, Mass Communication, or Women Studies. The practical elements frequently include research work, data interpretation, and community work, and these practices provide students with writing and research skills.

 

The syllabus of privately-owned colleges tend to focus on multidisciplinary exposure, modern concerns, digital resources, and project-based learning, etc. On the other hand, government colleges are more likely to adopt a more traditional and conceptually oriented syllabus, devoted to primitive concepts and classical models but possibly provide a less of a variety of electives and approach to new methods of teaching. However, both types of institutes are seeking to give a complete sociological comprehension and prepare students for a better career.

 

Table of Contents

  1. BA in Sociology Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025
  2. BA in Sociology Syllabus For Private Institute
  3. BA in Sociology Exam Pattern
  4. FAQs

 

BA in Sociology Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025

The BA Sociology syllabus covers foundational topics such as sociological concepts, Indian society, sociological thoughts, research methods, and social change. Some core subjects include social sciences, social research techniques, socialization,etc at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal) Uttarakhand.

Semester I

Semester II

Basic Sociological Concepts

Indian Society

Other Subject (Core Courses)

Other Subject (Core Courses)

Introduction to Sociology

Indian Culture

Basic Concepts of Social Research

Methods and Techniques of Social Research

Syllabus on environment

Life skills & personality development

Semester III

Semester IV

Sociological Thoughts

Social Change in India

Other Subject (Core Courses)

Other Subject (Core Courses)

Sociological Thinkers

Changing Indian Society

Basic Concepts of Social Research

Methods and Techniques of Social Research

Indian Knowledge System – I

Indian Knowledge System – II

Semester V

Semester VI

Social Research OR Indian Sociological Thinkers

Social Problems OR Society through the Visual

Other Subject (Core Courses)

Other Subject (Core Courses)

Rural Area Development Programme

Urban Area Development Programmes

Language: Indian modern/regional language – I

Language: Indian modern/regional language – II

Culture, tradition & moral values

Communication skills

Semester VII (With Research)

Semester VIII (With Research)

Classical Sociological Thinker

Sociology of Development

Modern Sociological Thinker

Policy and Planning

Research Methodology

Research Paper + Presentation (Oral)

Rural Sociology

Sociology of Environment

Urban Sociology

Sociology of Demography

Research Writing and Ethics

Dissertation

 

BA in Sociology Syllabus For Private Institute

The BA Sociology course focuses on a combination of principles, applicable research methods, and current social problems, equipping students with the ability to study and apply to a diverse set of career options. The syllabus in Loyola College includes the basic subjects like sociological theories, Indian society, social research methods, gender and environmental sociology.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Basic Concepts of Sociology

Society, Culture, and Social Change

Introduction to Sociology

Sociology of Indian society

Reading Sociological Texts

Indian constitution

Indian Society: Structure & Change

Processes of Social Change

Semester 3

Semester 4

Sociological theories

Modern social theories

Computer for social research

Social Pathology

Population studies

Sociology of economic life

Indian social problems

General sociology

Sociology of literature

Future studies

Human rights in India

Gender justice

Social behaviour

Economics of social issues

Indian economic planning and policy

Basics Economics

Public administration

World History

Semester 5

Semester 6

Research methods and statistics

Urban-Rural sociology

Science, technology and society

Industrial sociology

Sociology of religion

Community development

Political sociology

Urban and rural planning

Sociology of social movement

Skill based course

Medical sociology

-

Social psychology

-

Social anthropology

-

 

BA in Sociology Exam Pattern

The following exam pattern for BA in Sociology is practiced in most colleges and universities in India which follow the semester pattern with some modifications with regard to the individual institution and state regulations:

Components

Details

Theory Exams

Each core or elective subject includes a final written exam, typically for 80 marks; exams last 3 hours. The paper generally has four sections with internal choices, covering all units of the syllabus.

Internal Assessment

Ongoing assignments, class tests, presentations, and attendance make up 20 marks per paper. This includes two assignments, a test, and attendance marks, all weighted as per university rules.

Question Paper Structure

Question papers usually have four units, each with two questions (student answers one per unit), plus a compulsory section of short-answer questions from across the syllabus.

Optional/Skill Papers

In higher semesters, students may choose topic-specific papers (e.g., Social Problems, Population Studies); assessment follows the general pattern of theory and internals.

Practical/Project Work

Some universities require project work or field reports in the final year, especially for subjects like Research Methods; these are evaluated via written reports and/or viva-voce.

Exam Duration

3 hours for theory and practicals, as prescribed in the detailed course-level syllabi.

  • Internally, marks are based on two hand written assignments, a class test, and attendance , using specific university guidelines.
  • In the fourth semester, most students focus on the optional papers, which allows students to specialise in particular areas of Sociology.
  • The mandatory part commonly includes eight short-answer questions which are used to assess the knowledge gained within all the units of the syllabus.
  • There are both extended-format essays with analytical/definition-based questions that test students on their factual knowledge and critical understanding.
  • In some more specialist papers such as Survey Methods, a practical assignment or a field-based research (which may involve interviews, surveys and observation) will be marked through report and oral examination.

 

FAQs

Are classical and contemporary sociological theories emphasized in BA in Sociology?

Both classical and contemporary sociological theories are covered: classical theory papers on Marx, Weber and Durkheim are presented as the core, and subsequent semesters add contemporary theorists, critical theory, feminism, and postmodernism.

How is research methodology taught in the BA in Sociology syllabus?

The curriculum covers both qualitative and quantitative research methods, sampling, data collection, fieldwork, statistics and also the training on how to design, undertake and write up sociological research.

Are students exposed to interdisciplinary topics in the BA in Sociology curriculum?

The answer is yes political science, economics, psychology, anthropology and history questions are incorporated in the syllabus to make it more enriching to understand the society.

What does the BA in Sociology syllabus say about social stratification (caste, class, gender)?

The chapters have specific sections which examine caste hierarchies, class relations, gender roles and disparities, and how they influence opportunities and social mobility in the BA in Sociology curriculum.

How is the concept of social change and movements handled in the BA in Sociology syllabus?

The process of social change, modernization, and globalization, along with social movements (Dalit, women, and environmental), as well as the agents of change (the media, the state, and technology) are discussed in major papers.

Do BA Sociology students learn about rural and urban society in the curriculum?

There are specific subjects that deal with Rural Sociology of agrarian structure, rural developmental programs, panchayat system and Urban Sociology of migration, life in a city, urbanization and characteristic social problems in metropolitan cities.

Do contemporary BA Sociology programs deal with digital society and media in their curriculum?

Yes, there are recent updates that the BA in Sociology syllabus include Sociology of Media, digital communication and social media and technology effect on identity and relationships.

What is said about social policies and welfare programs in the BA in Sociology course?

Students of the BA in Sociology program look into social welfare programs, government policies (including affirmative action) and law that affect the poor and vulnerable groups.

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