Programme: B.A. Environmental Studies
Credit value: 12
Level: Year 2, Semester 3
General objectives
This module will introduce students to the main aspects of Bhutanese
culture, population and economy in order to gain knowledge, understanding and
appreciation of the Bhutanese society as well as the factors that determine the
past and present day Bhutanese society and the future directions.
Learning
outcomes
On completion
of the module students will:
- know the main
sociological concepts and definitions including society, culture, social
institutions, including marriage and family
- know the
processes of social change and apply these to the developments that have
been and are taking place in Bhutan
- be aware of
the economic structure in Bhutan in the past as well as the present and
the main developments that have been taking place;
- gain
understanding of the religious institutions in Bhutan and their meaning
for society;
- know the
cultural institutions and their meaning for society;
- know and be
able to apply the main methodologies of sociological research.
Students will
also be able to:
- conduct a
sociological research in the Kanglung surroundings.
Approach to
learning and teaching
The course will
consist of 15 teaching weeks, one self-study week and two examination weeks.
Each week will consist of:
- lectures
during which the theoretical background will be discussed;
- guest
lectures, presentations and group discussions and a practical group
exercise
- self-study of
the theory available, collecting information, and preparing papers and
presentations.
Assessment
●
Assignments 20%
●
Presentation 20%
● End of semester examination 60%
Prerequisite: None
Course
content
- definition,
theories of the origin of society; importance of society to the
individual; meaning, characteristics and functions of society and culture
- characteristics
of population of Bhutan: population size and growth; population
distribution and density: age and sex structure; language, religion
and ethnicity; composition, growth and structure of labour force;
literacy and health status of population; nuptiality trends and
patterns; determinants of age at marriage; fertility levels, trends and
differentials; trends and patterns of morbidity; major causes of
morbidity; mortality levels, trends and differentials (CDR, IMR, under-5
mortality, maternal mortality); levels and trends of urbanization.
- social
institutions - theories of social stratification, forms of stratification;
types and factors facilitating social mobility; factors affecting social
mobility; meaning, theories, factors and processes of social changes;
definition, characteristics of social problems ; societal crimes; meaning,
purpose, and means of social control–mores, morals, religion and law;
- marriage
institutions in Bhutan - traditional forms of marriage; changing trends in
marriage; legislation relating to marriage, divorce and alimony;
- types,
structures and functions of family institutions in the Bhutanese context
-patriarchal, matriarchal, joint family, nuclear family; causes of
disintegration of joint families with changing times;
- meaning,
theories and processes of social change; factors of social changes –
ideology, science and technology, environment – green revolution, trends in
industrial nations, population pressures, scientific revolutions;
- the structure
of pre - 1960 Bhutanese economy; Five - Year development plans; changes in
the institutional structures; achievements of different sectors; social,
political and economic reforms; impacts of modernization and globalization
on the society;
- religious
institutions – functions of religion for the individuals and society;
social institutions - traditional Bhutanese rural life versus modern city
life – organizational differences in patterns of earning livelihoods;
divisions of labour- traditional versus modern; gender roles in society;
- cultural
institutions – values, traditions, belief systems; rituals, festivals,
ceremonies, education etc.; their functions and purpose for the society.
Reading list
- Bhowmic, K.
L., 1988. Society and Culture, Vol.2. Inter – India Publications,
New Delhi.
- Henslin, James
M., 1999 – 1993. Sociology: A Down to Earth Approach, Boston. Allym
and Bacon (CD Rom edition).
- Persell,
Caroline Hodges, 1990. Understanding Society: An Introduction to
Sociology, Harper and Row Publishers, Inc.
- Royal
Government of Bhutan, Office of the Census Commissioner, Thimphu (2005). Results
of Population and Housing Census of Bhutan 2005.
- Five Year Plan
Documents since 1960, Royal Government of Bhutan.
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