The first question that comes in the mind of B.A.LL.B (honours) students is about the relevance of the non-law subjects in legal studies. One of such non-law subjects in Indian Institute of Legal Studies Coochbehar which is one of the best colleges for law is there, which is – Sociology. Sociology in simple words is a science which studies human society, human behaviour of social groups, different social institutions and various other aspects of the society. The concern of this subject is about group of people. It never studies behavioural aspect of single person . It studies society as a whole. Apart from Sociology, there are other non-law subjects like Economics, Political Science and English in this law college. Which is situated in Jagya Narayan Kuthi, Pundibari in the district Coochbehar. This institute is approved by the Bar Council of India and affiliated by Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University.
Sociology has different branches like Rural Sociology, Urban Sociology, Industrial Sociology, Sociology of Education, Sociology of Religion, Criminology, Sociology of Knowledge, Sociology of Law etc. The discipline Sociology has little history, as it emerged just a few centuries back; so, these branches are even younger. Law in Sociology is considered as an social institution. Institutions in Sociology are any agent which has ability to control and form social behaviour. Some other social institutions as per this particular discipline are as Family, Marriage, Education, Economy etc. Law directly affect human behaviour that is no doubt. The Sociology of Law deals with social control, this further maintain and change collective social behaviour. Sociology is the study of society. But it’s agent Law acts as an mechanism for change. Jurist Roscoe Pound has said that Law is like ‘Social Engineering ’ which has potential to technically modify society. Moreover, Sociology of Law understands jurisprudence from non- traditional perspectives. Different jurists like, Eugen Ehrlich, Ihering, Sociologist Auguste Comte and many other scholars have given their views related to Sociology of Law. They are considered eminent scholars of Sociology of Law.
Sociology of Law is just small part of Sociology. The subject matter of Sociology is very vast. In the first semester in 5 year degree course, the focus is on different social institutions and some basic aspects of Sociology. Where as, in the 2 nd semester it focuses on Rural Indian Society. The Urban and Industrial Sociology is dealt in the 3 rd semester, from next semester, they are focused more on law subjects. The syllabus, the teaching methodology of expert and experienced faculty members, along with the continuous efforts of students, rich source of library, Wi-Fi enabled computer laboratory, Intra Moot Court competitions, Special Lectures – all these make this institution as one of the best colleges for law in the district Coochbehar. Here students are from this and nearby districts too. This shows richness and help in formation of integrity among different cultures. This might not catch anyone’s attention; but, these indirectly affect in personality build up in a positive way, with regular interaction over time. It helps students immensely.
