Dynamics of Social Change Syllabus

1
BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI

WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING PROGRAMMES
Part A: Content Design
Course Title Dynamics of Social Change
Course No(s) BSDCH ZC231
Credit Units 3
Content Authors SUNITA RAINA
Course Objectives
CO No
CO-1 To explore why and how societies change over time, and to what effects.
CO-2 To explain the concept, theories, processes and consequences of social change
CO-3 To understand how the founding fathers of sociology theorized or explained the dynamic
process of social change
CO-4 To discuss various aspects of change ‘in’ and ‘of’ social structures, both in time and space
CO-5 To learn about social change in general, and change in the Indian society in particular.
Text Book
TB Abraham, Francis M. 2015. Contemporary Sociology: An Introduction to Concepts

and Theories.Second Edition, New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Reference Books & other resources
R1 Singh, Yogendra. 1993. Social Change in India: Crisis and Resilience. New Delhi:
Har-Anand Publications
R2 Giddens, Anthony. 1998. Capitalism & Modern Social Theory.UK: Cambridge University
Press
Content Structure
1. Module 1: Understanding the concept of ‘social change’
1.1. Social Change as a distinct concept

1.2. Sources of social change
1.3. Difference between 'Change in structure' and 'Structural change.'
1.4. Dimensions of sociological perspective
2. Module 2: Existing theories of social change

2.1. Introduction to Theories of Social Change
2
2.1.1. Evolutionary Theory

2.1.2. Functional theory
2.1.3. Conflict theory
2.2. Auguste Comte’s law of three stages of social evolution
2.3. Emile Durkheim and theory of social solidarity
2.3.1. Society with mechanical solidarity
2.3.2. Society with organic solidarity
2.4. Theories of Karl Marx
2.4.1. Theory of historical Materialism
2.4.2. Theory of class struggle
2.5. Theories of Max Weber
2.5.1. Theory of protestant ethic and the rise of capitalism
2.5.2. Theory of rationalization of society
3. Module 3:State as an important agent of socialchange.

3.1. Concept of State
3.2. Functions of state
3.3. Law and Social Change
3.4. State led economic change
3.4.1. Globalization and corporate capitalism
4. Module 4:Social stratification and social mobility

4.1. Meaning of social stratification and social mobility
4.2. Caste system in India
4.2.1. Explanation of the origin of caste system
4.2.2. Features of traditional caste system
4.2.3. Changing trends in caste system
5. Module 5: Rural and Urban social transformation

5.1.Process of urbanization
5.2. Factors leading to rural migration
5.3. Urbanism as a way of life
5.4. Metropolis and mental life
6. Module 6: Recent trends in Religion

6.1. Theoretical perspectives on function of religion in society
6.2. Process of secularization
6.3. Process of resacralization and the rise of fundamentalism
7. Module 7: Link between education and social change

7.1. Function of education in society
7.2. Education as an equalizing force in society
7.3. Changes in educational system
8. Module 8: Social Movements and Social Change

8.1. Meaning and types of Social Movement
8.2. Theories of Social Movements
8.3. Life-span of Social Movements
9. Module 9: Social Change in India: Crisis and resilience
Learning Outcomes:
3
LO No Learning Outcomes
LO-1 Understand the inevitability of social change
LO-2 Learn the ideas of prominent sociologists on social change.
LO-3 Understand the meaning of state and identify its role in changing a society
LO-4 Recognize the complexity of caste system in India and understand the changes in caste
relationships.
LO-5 Understand the complex process of urbanization and its effects on the social fabric.
LO-6 Learn the significance of religion in society, and understand how the institution of
religion has undergone change over time.
LO-7 Understand the role of education in society, and learn about the mutual shaping of
education and society.
LO-8 Learn how social movements stimulate and spearhead social change.
LO-9 Understand the major consequences of social change in India.
Part B: Learning Plan
Academic Term First Semester 2022-23 (HCL BSc Cohort-8 Semester-1, October 2022 to
February 2023)
Course Title Dynamics of Social Change
Course No BSDCH ZC231
Lead Instructor Dr. Ahmadi Begum
Instructor Bushra Punjabi, Sumesh M, Uthra Sridhar, Rakesh Rai
Legend:
CH: Weekly Contact Hour (Session) of 2 hours’ duration
Pre CH: Homework to be done Before the Contact Hour
Post CH: Homework to be done After the Contact Hour
Contact Hour 1
Type Content Ref. Topic Title Study/HW Resource Reference
Pre CH
During 1.1. ‘Social Change’ as a distinct

CH concept
TB: Chap 17
1.2. Sources of social change
4
Post CH
Contact Hour 2
Pre CH
During 1.3. Difference between 'change in

CH structure' and 'structural R1: Chap 1
change.'
Post CH
Contact Hour 3
Type Content Ref. Topic Title
Pre CH
During 1.4. Dimensions of sociological

CH perspective TB: Chap 1
Post CH
Contact Hour 4
Pre CH
During 2.1. Introduction to theories of social

CH change
2.1.1. Evolutionary Theory TB: Chap 17
2.1.2. Functional theory
2.1.3. Conflict theory
Post CH
Contact Hour 5
Pre CH
During 2.2. Auguste Comte’s law of three TB: Chap 1

CH stages of social evolution
5
Post CH
Contact Hour 6
Pre CH
During 2.3. Emile Durkheim’s theory of social

CH solidarity TB: Chap 1 & Chap 7
2.3.1. Society with mechanical solidarity R 2: Chap 5

2.3.2. Society with organic solidarity
Post CH
Contact Hour 7
Pre CH
During Karl Marx’s theory of historical TB: Chap 1

CH 2.4.1. Materialism
R2: Chap 2
Post CH
Contact Hour 8
Pre CH
During 2.4.2. Karl Marx’s theory of class TB: Chap 2

CH struggle R 2: Chap 3
Post CH
Contact Hour 9
Pre CH
During 2.5.1 Max weber’s theory of protestant TB: Chap 14

CH ethic and the rise of capitalism R2: Chap 9
Post CH
Contact Hour 10
6
Pre CH
During 2.5.2. Max Weber’s theory of TB: Chap 12

CH rationalization of society. R 2: Chap 12
Post CH
Contact Hour 11
Pre CH
During 3.1. Concept of ‘state’

CH TB: Chap 12
3.2. Functions of state
Post CH
Contact Hour 12
Pre CH
During 3.3. Law and Social Change TB: Chap 12

CH R1: Chap 6
Post CH
Contact Hour 13
Pre CH
During 3.4. State led changes in economy TB: Chap 12

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 14
Pre CH
During 3.4.1. Globalization and corporate TB: Chap 12

CH capitalism
Post CH
Contact Hour 15
7
Pre CH
During 4.1. Meaning of social stratification and TB: Chap 9

CH social mobility
R1: Chap 12
Post CH
Contact Hour 16
Pre CH
During 4.2. Caste system in India

CH TB: Chap 9
4.2.1. The origin of caste system
Post CH
Contact Hour 17
Pre CH
During 4.2.2. Features of traditional caste system TB: Chap 9

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 18
Pre CH
During 4.2.3. Changing trends in caste system TB: Chap 9

CH R1: Chap 3
Post CH
Contact Hour 19
Pre CH
During 5.1. Process of urbanization TB: Chap 15

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 20
8
Pre CH
During 5.2. Factors leading to rural migration TB: Chap 15

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 21
Pre CH
During 5.3. Urbanism as a way of life

CH TB: Chap 15
5.4. Metropolis and mental life
Post CH
Contact Hour 22
Pre CH
During 6.1. Theoretical perspectives on TB: Chap 14

CH function of religion in society
Post CH
Contact Hour 23
Pre CH
During 6.2. Process of secularization TB: Chap 14

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 24
Pre CH
During 6.3. Process of resacralization and the TB: Chap 14

CH rise of fundamentalism
9
Post CH
Contact Hour 25
Pre CH
During 7.1. Function of education in society TB: Chap 13

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 26
Pre CH
During 7.2. Education as an equalizing force in TB: Chap 13

CH society
Post CH
Contact Hour 27
Pre CH
During 7.3. Changes in educational system TB: Chap 13

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 28
Pre CH
During 8.1. Meaning and types of social TB: Chap 16

CH movement
Post CH
Contact Hour 29
Pre CH
During 8.2. Theories of social movements TB: Chap 16

CH
Post CH
10
Contact Hour 30
Pre CH
During 8.3. Life-cycle of social movements TB: Chap 16

CH
Post CH
Contact Hour 31
Pre CH
During 9.0. Social Transformation in India: TB: Chap 17

CH Crisis and resilience R1: Chap 4
Post CH
Contact Hour 32
Pre CH
During Summary of Course and

CH Discussion
Post CH Revision of all topics.
Evaluation Scheme:
Legend: EC = Evaluation Component; AN = AfterNoon Session; FN = ForeNoon Session
No Name Type Duration Weightage Day, Date, Session, Time
EC-1 Quiz-I Online 10 days 5% To be announced
Quiz-II Online 10 days 5% To be announced
Assignment 1/ Open 15 days 10% To be announced

Response Paper Book
Assignment 2/ Open 15 days 10% To be announced

Response Paper Book
EC-2 Mid-Semester Test Open 2 hours 30% Saturday, 10/12/2022 (Afternoon)

Book
EC-3 Comprehensive Exam Open 3 hours 40% Saturday, 25/02/2023 (Afternoon)

Book
Important Information:
11
Syllabus for Mid-Semester Test (Open Book): Topics in contact hours 1 to 16

Syllabus for Comprehensive Exam (Open Book): All topics covered in the plan of study
Examination Guidelines:
1. For Closed Book tests: No books or reference material of any kind will be permitted. Laptops/Mobiles/ Electronic
communication devices of any kind are not allowed. Exchange of any material is not allowed.
2. For Open Book exams: Use of prescribed text books and reference books is permitted. Handwritten class notes,
printed lecture slides, and other reference material in filed or bound form is permitted. However, loose sheets of
paper will not be allowed. Use of scientific calculators is permitted in all exams. Laptops/Mobiles/Electronic
communication devices of any kind are not allowed. Exchange of any material is not allowed.
3. If a student is unable to appear for the Regular Test/Exam due to genuine exigencies, the student should follow
the procedure to apply for the Make-Up Test/Exam. The genuineness of the reason for absence in the Regular
Exam shall be assessed prior to giving permission to appear for the Make-up Exam. Make-Up Test/Exam will be
conducted only at selected exam centres on the dates to be announced later.
4. It shall be the responsibility of the individual student to be regular in maintaining the self-study schedule as given
in the course handout, attend the lectures, and take all the prescribed evaluation components such as
Assignment/Quiz, Mid-Semester Test and Comprehensive Exam according to the evaluation scheme provided in
the handout.
5. For the written assignments, copying from websites and other sources, including other students, is
considered plagiarism. Students must be advised against plagiarism and asked to document and cite
references of all sources.
● Note:The response paper is a critique / assessment / evaluation of an article or book-chapter on a

theme that the students learn in any one module. They will get a week or ten days to engage with
the reading and write their response to it. In that sense, it is a take-home assignment. The instructor
will choose the reading from his / her own stock of knowledge that will be an addition to the
readings given on the handout. The response paper will be short (2 or 3 pages), and will contain the
summary of the main points in the reading and the student's critique of those ideas. The learning
objective here will be to hone their critical faculty, which is one skill that the students learn in
social sciences.

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1

BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCE, PILANI

TB Abraham, Francis M. 2015. Contemporary Sociology: An Introduction to Concepts

Reference Books & other resources

1. Module 1: Understanding the concept of ‘social change’

1.1. Social Change as a distinct concept

2. Module 2: Existing theories of social change

2.1.1. Evolutionary Theory

3. Module 3:State as an important agent of socialchange.

4. Module 4:Social stratification and social mobility

5. Module 5: Rural and Urban social transformation

6. Module 6: Recent trends in Religion

7. Module 7: Link between education and social change

8. Module 8: Social Movements and Social Change

9. Module 9: Social Change in India: Crisis and resilience

LO-1 Understand the inevitability of social change

LO-2 Learn the ideas of prominent sociologists on social change.

LO-9 Understand the major consequences of social change in India.

Part B: Learning Plan

Instructor Bushra Punjabi, Sumesh M, Uthra Sridhar, Rakesh Rai

During 1.1. ‘Social Change’ as a distinct

During 1.3. Difference between 'change in

During 1.4. Dimensions of sociological

During 2.1. Introduction to theories of social

2.1.1. Evolutionary Theory TB: Chap 17

2.1.2. Functional theory

2.1.3. Conflict theory

During 2.2. Auguste Comte’s law of three TB: Chap 1

During 2.3. Emile Durkheim’s theory of social

2.3.1. Society with mechanical solidarity R 2: Chap 5

During Karl Marx’s theory of historical TB: Chap 1

During 2.4.2. Karl Marx’s theory of class TB: Chap 2

During 2.5.1 Max weber’s theory of protestant TB: Chap 14

Type Content Ref. Topic Title Study/HW Resource Reference

During 2.5.2. Max Weber’s theory of TB: Chap 12

During 3.1. Concept of ‘state’

During 3.3. Law and Social Change TB: Chap 12

During 3.4. State led changes in economy TB: Chap 12

During 3.4.1. Globalization and corporate TB: Chap 12

Type Content Ref. Topic Title Study/HW Resource Reference

During 4.1. Meaning of social stratification and TB: Chap 9

During 4.2. Caste system in India

During 4.2.2. Features of traditional caste system TB: Chap 9

During 4.2.3. Changing trends in caste system TB: Chap 9

During 5.1. Process of urbanization TB: Chap 15

Type Content Ref. Topic Title Study/HW Resource Reference

During 5.2. Factors leading to rural migration TB: Chap 15

During 5.3. Urbanism as a way of life

During 6.1. Theoretical perspectives on TB: Chap 14

During 6.2. Process of secularization TB: Chap 14

During 6.3. Process of resacralization and the TB: Chap 14

During 7.1. Function of education in society TB: Chap 13

During 7.2. Education as an equalizing force in TB: Chap 13

During 7.3. Changes in educational system TB: Chap 13

During 8.1. Meaning and types of social TB: Chap 16

During 8.2. Theories of social movements TB: Chap 16

During 8.3. Life-cycle of social movements TB: Chap 16

During 9.0. Social Transformation in India: TB: Chap 17

During Summary of Course and

Post CH Revision of all topics.

EC-1 Quiz-I Online 10 days 5% To be announced

Quiz-II Online 10 days 5% To be announced

Assignment 1/ Open 15 days 10% To be announced