Understanding the Social World - BPAG 171

Overview of IGNOU BPAG 171

• Course Title: Understanding the Social World
• Program: Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (B.A.)
• Credits: 6

Course Objectives

• To introduce students to the concepts and processes of social science.
• To develop critical thinking skills regarding social issues.
• To analyze the interactions between individuals and society.

Key Themes

1. Understanding Society:

   • Definitions of society and social groups.
   • Structure and function of social institutions (family, education, religion).

2. Social Change:

   • Factors influencing social change (technology, culture, politics).
   • Theories of social change (evolutionary, revolutionary).

3. Social Stratification:

   • Concepts of class, caste, and status.
   • Impact of inequality on society.

4. Culture and Society:

   • The relationship between culture and social behavior.
   • Role of norms, values, and beliefs.

5. Socialization:

   • Importance of socialization in human development.
   • Agents of socialization (family, peers, media).

6. Social Problems:

   • Identification of contemporary social issues (poverty, crime, discrimination).
   • Approaches to address social problems.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop an understanding of basic social science concepts.
• Apply theoretical frameworks to real-world situations.
• Critically analyze social issues and propose informed solutions.

Assessment

• Assignments: Regular submissions based on course topics.
• Examinations: End-of-term exams to evaluate comprehension and application of concepts.

Recommended Study Practices

• Regular reading of course materials and supplementary texts.
• Participation in discussions and study groups.
• Application of concepts through case studies or real-world examples.

Course Overview

• Course Title: Understanding the Social World
• Part of the Bachelor’s Degree in Arts (B.A.) program
• Total Credits: 6

Course Objectives

• Introduces fundamental concepts and processes related to social sciences
• Aims to develop critical thinking skills regarding various social issues
• Encourages the analysis of the dynamic interactions between individuals and society

Key Themes

• Understanding Society:

  • Explores definitions of society and various social groups
  • Examines the structure and function of key social institutions like family, education, and religion

• Social Change:

  • Investigates factors that trigger social change, including technology, culture, and politics
  • Reviews theories of social change, distinguishing between evolutionary and revolutionary perspectives

• Social Stratification:

  • Defines concepts such as class, caste, and social status
  • Discusses the impacts of inequality on societal structure and function

• Culture and Society:

  • Analyzes the interplay between culture and social behavior
  • Considers the influence of norms, values, and beliefs on societal interactions

• Socialization:

  • Highlights the significance of socialization processes in human development
  • Identifies primary agents of socialization: family, peers, and media

• Social Problems:

  • Identifies contemporary social issues, including poverty, crime, and discrimination
  • Explores various approaches to address and resolve these social problems

Learning Outcomes

• Gain a solid understanding of foundational social science concepts
• Ability to apply theoretical frameworks to analyze real-world situations
• Develop skills necessary to critically evaluate social issues and propose informed solutions

Assessment

• Assignments: Regular submissions focused on specific course topics to reinforce learning
• Examinations: Comprehensive end-of-term exams to assess understanding and application of course concepts

Recommended Study Practices

• Engage in regular reading of course materials along with supplementary texts
• Actively participate in discussions and group study sessions for collaborative learning
• Apply learned concepts through case studies or analysis of real-world examples to enhance practical understanding