Important Chapters from NCERT Class 11 Sociology and Summaries | Old & New NCERTs for IAS Preparation (Must Read) - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Sociology is a key subject for Class 11 students as it introduces the study of society, social relationships, and institutions in a structured manner. The CBSE Class 11 Sociology syllabus, covered in the NCERT textbook “Understanding Society,” helps students understand how societies function and how individuals interact within them. These topics lay the foundation for advanced sociological studies and are crucial for exams.

The syllabus includes five key chapters that explore the essence of sociology, its concepts, institutions, cultural processes, and research methods. Mastering these chapters is essential for scoring well in exams and developing a sociological perspective.

Why NCERTs are Important for Sociology?

NCERT textbooks, particularly Class 11’s “Understanding Society,” are vital for CBSE Sociology preparation due to:

• Clear and Concise Content: NCERTs present complex sociological ideas in a simple, student-friendly manner, making them easy to grasp.
• Alignment with CBSE Syllabus: The textbook is tailored to the CBSE curriculum, covering all key topics tested in exams.
• Conceptual Foundation: It provides accurate and foundational knowledge, ideal for beginners before exploring advanced texts.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The chapters address society, institutions, culture, and research methods, ensuring a holistic understanding.
• Recommended by Teachers: NCERTs are the go-to resource for teachers and students due to their structured and exam-oriented approach.

Important Chapters of Sociology Class 11 NCERT

The following chapters from Class 11 NCERT “Understanding Society” are critical for CBSE exam preparation:

Chapter 1: Sociology and Society

Important topics to cover:

• Definition and scope of sociology as a discipline.
• Relationship between sociology and other social sciences (e.g., anthropology, history).
• Concept of society and its characteristics.
• Social groups, community, and association.

Chapter 2: Terms, Concepts and their Use in Sociology

Important topics to cover:

• Key sociological terms: social structure, social stratification, status, and role.
• Concepts of social control, norms, and values.
• Types of societies: pre-modern (tribal, agrarian) and modern (industrial, urban).
• Social change and its processes.

Chapter 3: Understanding Social Institutions

Important topics to cover:

• Definition and features of social institutions.
• Major institutions: family, marriage, kinship, economy, polity, and religion.
• Functions and dysfunctions of social institutions.
• Interconnectedness of institutions in society.

Chapter 4: Culture and Socialisation

Important topics to cover:

• Concept of culture: material and non-material aspects.
• Elements of culture: norms, values, beliefs, and symbols.
• Socialisation: definition, agencies (family, school, peers, media), and types (primary, secondary).
• Cultural diversity and ethnocentrism.

Chapter 5: Doing Sociology: Research Methods

Important topics to cover:

• Introduction to sociological research and its importance.
• Types of research methods: qualitative and quantitative.
• Tools of data collection: observation, interview, questionnaire, and survey.
• Challenges in sociological research (e.g., objectivity, ethics).

Preparation Tips

1. Understand Key Concepts: Create a glossary of sociological terms like social structure, norms, and socialisation for quick revision.
2. Make Flowcharts: Use flowcharts to map relationships between institutions (e.g., family and economy) or stages of socialisation.
3. Revise Regularly: Revisit each chapter 2–3 times, treating sociology as a lens to view everyday life.
4. Practice Questions: Solve previous years’ CBSE question papers (2020–2025) and sample papers to understand question patterns.
5. Link Concepts: Connect topics across chapters, e.g., how socialisation (Chapter 4) shapes roles in institutions (Chapter 3).
6. Supplementary Reading: Refer to additional resources like “Sociology: Themes and Perspectives” by Haralambos for deeper insights.
7. Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for key terms, sociologists, and research methods to aid memorisation.