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The sociology of culture is an integral complex discipline that studies the
structure and functions of culture in relation to social institutions. In contrast to the
philosophy of culture and social philosophy, the sociology of culture examines
social phenomena localized in space and time that are available for observation,

description, measurement and analysis. The object of the sociology of culture is the
activity of communities and groups - bearers of cultural ideas, values, styles, and
behavior, as well as the institutional framework within which the activity is

realized.
The history of culture is a branch of historical science that investigates
cultural phenomena and culture of peoples in their dynamic, diachronic aspects. It

examines cultural artifacts, events and cultural processes of the past with a view to
a more accurate understanding of the present and determination of the prospects
for the future development. Based on historical and comparative analysis of

cultures of different peoples, ethnic groups and communities M. Danilevskiy, O.
Spengler, A. Toynbee and other scientists conducted their cultural research.
The culturology, like all other sciences, uses certain methods of research.
Methods are means, approaches, a set of operations, procedures of cognitive

activity ensuring the compliance of the culturology with the nature of its object.
Since the culturology is being formed as a mixture of many sciences, a number of

methods and principles used to study its cultural objects range from general to
highly specific.
General scientific methods include:
 a diachronic method requires the presentation of phenomena, facts,

events of the world and national culture in the chronological order;
 a synchronous method provides a comprehensive comparative study

within a period of time without reference to the historical retro- or
perspective;
 a comparative method is used in cultural studies when comparing two

or more cultures. It also involves the process of identifying general and
specific patterns, trends, spheres of influence and determines the level
of identity or affinity of cultures;

 a typological method analyses cultural phenomena from abstract to
concrete terms, and identify the typological proximity of historical and
cultural processes;

 a civilizational approach the essence of which lies in the understanding
of the history of mankind through the integrated specialized fields of
humanities and cultural knowledge in the context of the cultural era. It

embodies a concentrated form of all the above mentioned approaches;

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