Theorizing the Disciplinary System of Sociology

Sociological studies have given birth to three approaches to theorizing the disciplinary system of sociology, each of which has its distinctive features and drawbacks. This paper argues that, in theorizing the disciplinary system of sociology, it is important to highlight such characteristics as uniqueness, scientificness and applicability of sociology as an independent discipline, as well as the relationships between each component of the disciplinary system, which includes basic sociology, categorical sociology, applied sociology and regional sociology. Basic sociology is the foundation of the system and provides both theoretical and methodological guidance for the other three components. Basic sociology and categorical sociology together constitute the main structure of the disciplinary system.