Sociology of culture as a branch of sociological knowledge

Considering culture as the major characteristics and basis of any society the article reveals the significance of culture sociology in studying the issues connected with functioning and developing of culture in unity with the social environment. Some ways of interpreting the notion “culture” and approaches to studying culture in the scientific literature are given, the issues connected with the subject of culture sociology and axiological aspect in the sociological analysis of culture are highlighted. The significance of sociology of culture as a discipline in the process of professional training of personnel for socio-cultural sphere is stressed.