Breaking down the question

The question asks for a comparative discussion along two explicit axes — area of study and methodology — and it wants both similarities and differences. A one-sided answer will lose marks. The word discuss invites analysis and a reasoned position, ideally noting the growing convergence between the two disciplines.

How to approach it

  • Structure the answer around the two axes the question names.
  • Under area of study, show the shared concern with human social life and the difference in emphasis — the general versus the particular.
  • Under methodology, contrast the nomothetic and idiographic orientations.
  • Use the convergence — historical sociology — as your integrating conclusion.
  • Cite thinkers to lift the answer above description.

Model answer

Sociology and history are closely related social sciences, so much so that G. E. Howard called history past sociology and sociology present history.

In terms of area of study, both examine human society, its institutions and change over time. The difference is one of emphasis. History concentrates on particular, concrete events — a specific revolution, dynasty or war — in their unique sequence. Sociology seeks general patterns and regularities abstracted from many instances, aiming at concepts and typologies rather than singular narratives.

In terms of methodology, history is largely idiographic, reconstructing the past from documents and records to describe what actually happened. Sociology is more nomothetic, using comparison, surveys and theory to build generalisations and, at times, prediction.

Yet the boundary is porous. Fernand Braudel's longue durée and Philip Abrams's argument that the two are a single intellectual project show a strong convergence in historical sociology, where sociologists use historical evidence and historians borrow sociological concepts.

For the wider comparison with other disciplines, see scope of sociology and other social sciences.

Examiner's perspective

The examiner is testing whether you can compare systematically rather than list stray points. Award-winning scripts organise the answer explicitly under area and method, and then transcend the dichotomy by acknowledging historical sociology. A common error is to overstate the divide and ignore convergence, or to omit thinkers. Balance and structure are decisive here.