in Sociology Theories r considered as the most difficult thing.... well its not worng... because THEY R DIFFICULT AND NOT EASY TO DIGEST.

so the better way is to learn them in small patches or one can say in summary.

in the following sentences there is summary of some of major theorists mentioned in the CSS course. i havent coverd all the theorists.

so lets begin..........................



Many of the fathers/major theorists of Sociology were concerned with the general trend of history and its meaning. Mostly they sought to explain the past development of society and sometimes to predict its future in terms of a definite pattern.


For such 19th century thinkers as Herbert Spencer and Auguste Comte, the pattern is one of linear ascent.


Spencer saw the development as a process of evolution that is like organic evolution, is a process of growth, increasing complexity, increasing differentiation of structure and function, and increasing interdependence among differentiated parts. He also believed in the emergence of an industrial order which would increasingly protect the rights of the individual, decrease the emphasis on government, abolish wars, dissolve national borders, and establish a global community.



Comte saw society as a process of evolution and progress and defined hi task as one of establishing the uniformities governing his progress. Thus he formulated his famous law of three states of the development of human thought;

1. The theological

2. The metaphysical

3. The positive, which were also the bases of the three historical forms of social organization.



The Marxist theory is also a theory of progress, although not of linear one. The progress towards the classless society proceeds through “dialectical” conflicts, in each of which one subordinate class overthrows its ruling class (bourgeoisie overthrows the aristocracy) only to establish a new society in which a new subordinate class rises to overthrow it. But these cycles are neither endless nor meaningless. As Marx saw it as the wheel has now reached its last turn; with the proletariat revolution, the story is about to come to an end. The proletariat’s victory will give rise to a classless society, in which one knows no major conflict hence no more revolution.



According to Max Weber when the legitimacy of an old historical structure is exhausted, a charismatic leader emerges outside the structure and gives it its coup de grace. The leader and his followers take over and build a new structure on the ruins of the old one. The subsequent “routinization of charisma” constitutes the foundation of the new structure which will ---- sooner or later ----also be faced with the same lack of legitimacy, charismatic upheaval, new routiniztion and so on………………

Another aspect of Weber’s theory approximates the linear development approach for which He sees the development of culture as a process of constantly increasing rationalization, of growing inner consistency and coherence. This is most evident in transition from magic to science; the development of religion from polytheism to monotheism is also viewed in this light; and Weber observed the same trend in the development of music.

Thus Weber’s approach to development/change is two pronged. He combines a cyclical theory of development with the linear theory of cultural development. Though Weber never fully relates these two themes, He intimates that’s the social structure “catches up” with the cultural development under the impact of charismatic periods; at three points, the social structure is opened up to reorganization be ever more “rationalized” cultural systems.



The work of Tonnies is second only to that of Weber in the scope and depth of its influence on contemporary sociology. Tonnies like Spencer views society as growing more and more complex, in a linear process. Small and simple structures grow to become large and complex ones. He sees the trend from what He calls Gemeinschaft (social organization based on close and personal ties and traditional norms and values) to Gesellschaft (social organization based on loose personal ties, self interest, rationalization, and impersonality)as one in which primitive, traditional, closely knit communities are torn and uprooted to be replaced by a large, urbanized, industrial society in which human relations are impersonal and instrumental. Like the linear theorists He sees clearly the irreversible trend but unlike them he is ambivalent in evaluating this trend. Modern society has provided men with many new freedoms, with new dimensions of knowledge, and with material affluence. But it also brought about alienation and impersonality.


hope student opting Sociology will find it helpful.
more theories in detail will be here soon Inshallah

Hi
i read ur post and it was amazing, i have been on to theories but i havent seen such a comprehensive and good material. I looked in the market all day long but couldnt find a decent book on theories. Though i secured 65 in 2004 but i m never comfortable with theories. Thumbs up for ur effort and lots of thanks.

its all possible with the help of Allah

Alhamdulilah

__________________
The kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. He indeed is able to do all things. -Quran, Al-Imran, Surah 3:189

Somayya

Its been so nice of you to provide us with such useful info.i've taken up sociology(first time to go through this subject). To add insult to injury i've purchased the books by Iqbal Chaudhry(as recommended on this web site). It has good information with reference to Pakistani society but the major problem lies in comprehending the text as it has the following few flaws:
1)Grammatical mistakes
2)poor sentence construction
3)repetition of words in a paragraph
4)extra long sentences
5)too many adjectives used to describe a situation/scenario
these complications have made sociology difficult for me. it would be even nicer of you if you can provide me with useful links(s) on sociology.
another thing i'd like to know,is there any difference between the methods of sociological research and designs of social research if so what?or are they they both the same.

Assalamu Alaikum sis Dania
If u r new to this subject then its better not to take this as a CSS course as its always beneficial to have the subjects that you have studied before …..
But if u wants to study it then … it’s not a ghost it just a simple course with technical definitions and terms and the rest is just practical illustrations from Islamic or Pakistani society….. I will recommend u to start from the glossary of terms I have pasted on the forum. Read them and try to understand them… and then just read the recommended book for the illustrations as U have found it beneficial for having good info regarding Pakistani society…
This strategy will definitely help u and will cure ur injury!!!
Here r some links

http://www.allenandunwin.com/academic/quest1.asp
http://www.webref.org/sociology/sociology.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/or/sociolog...SOCIOLOGY.html

__________________
The kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs to Allah. He indeed is able to do all things. -Quran, Al-Imran, Surah 3:189

Somayya

would please provide some notes regarding pakistani society

hi mates.
im new arround here i want to know how to prep. this subject aptly to scure more than 60ty marks .Can i ask u ppl tp provide me with notes.
regards.
Tahir Mumtaz

1 secure 164 marks in b.a paper but now i am at loss from where should i start my prepartion pz guide me