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Sociology Vs Political science - which one you choose as optional

Hi, i am confused between sociology vs pol science. however not able to decide.
wanted to know from those who have been with these optionals. please put your perspective in present scenario of UPSC.
it may help many people who are in dilemma.
Thanks

Comments

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  • When I was in college, started with Sociology. Read the Haralambos book (orange one) & ncert after 3 months switched over to PSIR.

    1. both of them is basically humanities subject and only 300 marks can be set as target score (science & engineering optional scores higher)
    2. both subject's paper 1 has defined syllabus & even teachers skip the paper 2 syllabus. (so paper 2 depends on your writing skills and not the revision)
    3. both subjects can be completed in 4-5 months

    PSIR vs Sociology (for newbies)
    1. Shubhra R has monopoly over PSIR teaching in delhi so there is no confusion among aspirants to whose notes to prefer, which books etc. (also the toppers brags about her)
    2. Current Affairs has a huge share in PSIR syllabus which gives Freshers an edge over the upsc repeaters. (if you've writing skills.)
    3. Syllabus of sociology will help you in Essay paper & Ethics paper only. like essay on social issues and society based case studies.(in GS1 your sociology knowledge wont help) But PSIR will help you in almost every paper in mains (and in interview too if interview panel shifted to IR issues)
    4. And finally the self study part - pick a book of andrew heywood (wither Politics or Key Concepts in PSIR) if you can understand the language used by author (not talking about English) then your PSIR paper 1 is done by reading two books by Heywood (Political Theory & Political Ideology) and Paper 2 static portion by same author - Global Politics. And rest of the topics by either Xerox notes or IGNOU BA-MA pdf booklets or Current Affairs-newspapers.
    But in sociology, its not that easy reading Haralambos then switching to Anthony Giddens or other author which uses the completely different language (i.e., style of writing).

    Choose carefully, if your English is good and you are willing to memorize 100-200 psir specific words (to simply be like Tharoor in your answers) then go for PSIR.
    If you've doubt about psir current affairs then read some articles on Project-Syndicate.org, if they are comprehensible to you then paper 2 wont be a problem too.
  • When I was in college, started with Sociology. Read the Haralambos book (orange one) & ncert after 3 months switched over to PSIR.

    1. both of them is basically humanities subject and only 300 marks can be set as target score (science & engineering optional scores higher)
    2. both subject's paper 1 has defined syllabus & even teachers skip the paper 2 syllabus. (so paper 2 depends on your writing skills and not the revision)
    3. both subjects can be completed in 4-5 months

    PSIR vs Sociology (for newbies)
    1. Shubhra R has monopoly over PSIR teaching in delhi so there is no confusion among aspirants to whose notes to prefer, which books etc. (also the toppers brags about her)
    2. Current Affairs has a huge share in PSIR syllabus which gives Freshers an edge over the upsc repeaters. (if you've writing skills.)
    3. Syllabus of sociology will help you in Essay paper & Ethics paper only. like essay on social issues and society based case studies.(in GS1 your sociology knowledge wont help) But PSIR will help you in almost every paper in mains (and in interview too if interview panel shifted to IR issues)
    4. And finally the self study part - pick a book of andrew heywood (wither Politics or Key Concepts in PSIR) if you can understand the language used by author (not talking about English) then your PSIR paper 1 is done by reading two books by Heywood (Political Theory & Political Ideology) and Paper 2 static portion by same author - Global Politics. And rest of the topics by either Xerox notes or IGNOU BA-MA pdf booklets or Current Affairs-newspapers.
    But in sociology, its not that easy reading Haralambos then switching to Anthony Giddens or other author which uses the completely different language (i.e., style of writing).

    Choose carefully, if your English is good and you are willing to memorize 100-200 psir specific words (to simply be like Tharoor in your answers) then go for PSIR.
    If you've doubt about psir current affairs then read some articles on Project-Syndicate.org, if they are comprehensible to you then paper 2 wont be a problem too.
    Point 3 is incorrect. Sociology helps in all gs papers.
    Gs 1 has social issues in it!, Further history is covered as well
    Gs2 has political aspects - socio studies impact of politics on society in depth.
    Gs3 has economics - socio studies in depth the impact of agriculture, industry on society.
  • Thanks @Reyaz
    Thanks @Pokertilt101 ..
    That was helpful..
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