BCS Written Sociology study plan
BCS Written Sociology · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Introduction to Sociology: definition, scope, nature and emergence of the discipline & Basic Concepts: society, community, association, institution, culture, socialization, status and role
Define sociology and distinguish its scope from psychology, anthropology, and common sense
Explain the emergence of sociology in the context of the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution
Differentiate society, community, association, and institution with examples from Bangladesh
Describe the components of culture and the process of socialization
Distinguish status from role and illustrate role conflict with a realistic scenario
Your checkpoint
A 500-word written summary defining sociology, its emergence, and the basic concepts of society, community, association, institution, culture, socialization, status, and role, with at least three Bangladesh-based examples.
Social Structure, Social Stratification and Social Mobility & Social Institutions: family, marriage, kinship, education, religion and economy
Compare functionalist and conflict perspectives on social stratification
Classify types of social mobility and identify their determinants
Analyze the functions and changing forms of family, marriage, and kinship in Bangladesh
Evaluate the role of education and religion as social institutions
Relate economic institutions to social structure using a local example
Your checkpoint
A comparative table or 600-word essay contrasting two sociological perspectives on stratification and explaining how family, education, religion, and economy interlock in Bangladeshi society.
Sociological Theory: classical and contemporary perspectives & Research Methods in Sociology
Summarize the core contributions of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber to classical sociological theory
Outline at least two contemporary theoretical perspectives (e.g., symbolic interactionism, feminism, post-structuralism)
Distinguish quantitative from qualitative research designs and their appropriate uses
Identify the steps of the research process from problem formulation to report writing
Evaluate ethical considerations in sociological research
Your checkpoint
A 700-word theoretical comparison of two classical thinkers and a one-page research design outline for a small sociological study, including method, sampling, and ethics.
Social Change, Development and Modernization & Social Problems, Deviance, Crime and Social Control
Explain theories of social change and modernization and apply them to a developing society
Distinguish deviance from crime and describe major sociological explanations of deviance
Identify agents of social control and evaluate their effectiveness
Analyze a current social problem using sociological concepts
Assess the relationship between development, modernization, and social dislocation
Your checkpoint
A 600-word case analysis of one social problem (e.g., drug abuse or domestic violence) using deviance theory and social control concepts, plus a brief note on a modernization challenge.
Sociology of Development and Rural-Urban Society in Bangladesh
Describe the rural social structure of Bangladesh, including kinship, patronage, and land relations
Explain the major theories of development and their critiques
Analyze the impact of urbanization and rural-urban migration on Bangladeshi society
Evaluate the role of NGOs and microfinance in rural development
Identify the social consequences of development projects in Bangladesh
Your checkpoint
A 700-word essay on rural-urban transformation in Bangladesh that applies at least two development theories and discusses one concrete development intervention.
Contemporary Social Issues in Bangladesh: gender, environment, migration, globalization and social inequality
Analyze gender inequality in Bangladesh using sociological concepts
Assess environmental problems and their social dimensions in Bangladesh
Explain the causes and consequences of internal and international migration
Evaluate the effects of globalization on Bangladeshi society and culture
Propose sociological responses to at least two contemporary social inequalities
Your checkpoint
A 600-word policy brief on one contemporary issue (e.g., climate displacement or gender wage gap) with a sociological analysis and two realistic recommendations.
Basic Concepts: society, community, association, institution, culture, socialization, status and role & Sociological Theory: classical and contemporary perspectives & Research Methods in Sociology
Review and integrate key concepts from domains 2, 7, and 8 through practice questions
Compare and contrast classical and contemporary theoretical perspectives
Apply research methods concepts to critically evaluate a published study
Identify personal weak areas and create a targeted revision list
Practice writing structured answers under time constraints
Your checkpoint
A set of 10 short-answer practice questions across domains 2, 7, and 8, answered in writing, with a self-assessment note listing three areas for further review.
Introduction to Sociology: definition, scope, nature and emergence of the discipline & Social Structure, Social Stratification and Social Mobility & Social Institutions: family, marriage, kinship, education, religion and economy & Social Change, Development and Modernization & Social Problems, Deviance, Crime and Social Control & Sociology of Development and Rural-Urban Society in Bangladesh & Contemporary Social Issues in Bangladesh: gender, environment, migration, globalization and social inequality
Synthesize concepts from all domains into integrated essay outlines
Complete two full-length mock exams under timed conditions
Review feedback and correct recurring conceptual errors
Memorize key definitions, theorists, and typologies
Finalize a one-page quick-reference sheet for last-minute revision
Your checkpoint
Two completed mock exam answer scripts with self-marking and a one-page revision sheet covering key definitions, theorists, and typologies from all domains.
Milestones
Week 2: Can define and give one Bangladesh example for each of the basic concepts (society, community, association, institution, culture, socialization, status, role) without notes.
Week 4: Can explain one classical theory of social change, one theory of deviance, and the difference between deviance and crime in a 10-minute oral summary.
Week 6: Can outline a sociological analysis of a contemporary Bangladeshi issue using at least three concepts from different domains.
Week 8: Scores at least 60% on both timed mock exams and has a completed one-page revision sheet.