Hi. I m planning to appear in 2014 CSS exam... I have opted for sociology as an optional subject and just started with it,,,, but being a graduate of a medical university, the whole new subjects are turning and twisting my brain chords... still trying to crack the hard nut....

Anyone who can please guide me about the sociological theories as to which book to refer to for the above said topic.. I m mainly using Horton n Hunt but I m afraid I cannot find the topic there.
Regards!

you can study sociological theories from taga's book.for a medical student,these theories are difficult to comprehend for first time.but once u comprehend these theories,they are not much difficult...

im also science student but i found sociology very interesting and going through all theories was new experience for me..... You should concern tagga's book is very good ... I prepared fro this book and Horton and Hunt...

I also find it interesting but it's abstruse at the same time. Can u please share your study plan and how much time it takes to cover the subject. I know it always sounds irritating being asked the same question in every other thread but believe me it's so confusing for new members like me... All I need is a kick start?

Regards

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An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied.

the simple way to study Sociology is to read sociology books part I & II of BA which are in Urdu. i prepared from my brother's book who was preparing for BA Exams. it helped me alot.

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Master in English Literature. Gold Medalist, the University of Lahore.

its okay im always here to help CSS aspirants.. when I started sociology I was even more confused than you because I was preparing agriculture and I found i very tough and then I decided to opt sociology 3 months before exam...

it will take hardly one month to prepare sociology if your only preparing sociology and not going through other subjects with it...
buy Tagga's book... first cover mos important topics
1: Sociological perspectives
2: sociological theories (karl marx, max weber, aguste compte, emile durkheim and their comparative study)
3: sociological research methods
4: sociological problems of pakistan like urbanization, population, drug addiction and so on
5: groups, institutions and their interaction like family, education, politics, economy, religion
6: culture whole topic and cultural change very important
7: social change very important
8:social mobility, social action, social role,
9: class system, biradari, fuedalism
10: socialization, personality
11: social control and deviance

try to cover as much theories as you can.... prepare theories with each of this topic
don't leave single topic even, because trends are changing so anything can come in paper.
tips
1: in Tagga's book you will find definitions of many authors in each chapter try to memorize those definitions and authors names and use them as
reference in paper while giving definitions
2: try to understand topics conceptually don't ratafy these things... becaues sociology is about society things which we experience and go through every day no need to cram such things just develop understanding
3: use theories to elaborate the concepts of topic while attempting paper

I know it becomes difficult to learn all theories but it will help you to attempt all sort of questions... you can develop your own answer with help of theories and definitions in a very good manner
yes one thing more don't forget to go through past papers while preparing each topic keep past paper book with you and as u start preparing keep check past papers it will develop concepts in your mind that in what way you have to prepare secondly some topics in tagga not have theories with it so as you start topic also keep horton and hunt with you for good theories and understanding purpose....

then also try to attempt past papers... as you prepare one topic... attempt question related to this topic from past papers..

Tagga's book will help you to prepare one chapter in one day easily....
it depends on your speed and methodology that how you study
I use to prepare one lengthy chapter in one day and short 2/3 chapters in one day
first I prepared theories then research design/methodology....
then culture, socialization, personality, cultural change and social change, groups, institutions, social status, social mobility, social action and al other topics then.. in one month I was done with sociology

best of luck

thanx for guidance....its really helpful for beginners like me....but one point in your advice needs elaboration.....what do u mean by;some topics in tagga dont have theories and we should consult horton and hunt for that;....??plz remove this confusion too

you can get guidance from sociology book by shanker rao.all these theories are written in that book in details.