I thank Dr. Eish Singhal for accepting my request to give some valuable tips on how to prepare Sociology. Dr. Eish has got All India Rank 161 in UPSC civil services 2009 exam (CSE-2009). You can ask your queries on Sociolgy directly to him on his e-mail.
How to prepare Sociology
Sociology is good even if one has not opted it in graduation. I did it after graduation in MBBS. So one can surely do it. The advantages are it is easy to catch up as it relates with topics like caste, religion, marriage, family work etc. which we see in daily life. Sources and good notes are easily available. But disadvantages are that one has to be expressive and write eye catching stuff and try to be different from others despite reading same reading material. I would further elaborate on topics
Sociology paper 1
Thinkers- Haralambos, Morgan Abraham, George Ritzer and lewis coser, it is very scoring n must be read with full sincerity. You can use these thinkers quotes in other topics and it shows you can apply your knowledge. Haralambos must be read by heart. Topic of religion is scoring. Short notes must be practiced by writing repetitively and each time trying to improve on past. Rest upendra notes are good enough.
Sociology paper 2
Thinkers-indian sociologylogical thougt by Nagla. It is very scoring and must be thoroughly read. Views on caste is also a must topic.Social transformation is a topic which is important, one must correlate it with contemporary real life situations. Try to give examples from real life. For other topics research methods by Ram Ahuja, social change in modern India by M.N.Srinivas, modernisation of Indian tradition by Yogendra Singh
Rest upendra notes are good enough.
Read Yojana and Kurukshetra 4 topics of poverty, slum, employment etc. Must read the hindu magazine section every week 4 recent developments. This would be sufficient to give you atleast 300 plus marks. Rest can be one’s own innovation. Good luck to all :)
