Sociology Optional Previous Years Papers – 2014

Sociology Optional Paper 1: SECTION-A
Q1. Write short answer of the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50          

How is objectivity different from value neutrality? Discuss with reference to Weber’s views on methodology.
How did the emergence of industrial society change the family life in Western Europe?
How is sociological approach to human actions different from that of psychological approach?
In what way biographies could be used to study social life?
How can we use reference group theory to understand fashion in society?
Q2.Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

Which research technique would be most suitable for the study of consumer behaviour and its social correlates? Explain.20 marks
Identify the similarities and differences between Marx’s theory of ‘alienation’ and Durkheim’s theory of ‘anomie’.20 marks
How could one use Merton’s concept of deviance to understand the traffic problem in urban India?10 marks
Q3. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

What do you understand by gender? How does it shape ‘male ‘identity?20 marks
“According to Max Weber, ‘class’ and ‘status’ are two different dimensions of power.” Discuss.20 marks
Using Merton’s concepts of ‘manifest’ and ‘latent’ functions, explain the persistence of corruption in Indian society.10 marks
Q4. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

How does Weber use the notion of ‘ideal types’ in his theory of bureaucracy?20 marks
In what way ‘interpretative’ method is different from ‘positivist’ approach in the study of social phenomena?20 marks
Using Mead’s theory of symbolic interactionism, discuss the stages in the formation of gender identity.10 marks
Sociology Optional Paper 1: SECTION-B
Q5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

For Marx, class divisions are outcomes of ‘exploitation’. Discuss.
What are the distinctive features of social organization of work in slave society? How is it different from feudal society?
Discuss T. H. Marshall’s views on citizenship.
Distinguish between Political Parties and Pressure
“According to Durkheim, the essence of religion in modern society is the same as religion in primitive society.” Comment.
Q6. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

“Power is not a zero-sum game”. Discuss with reference to Weber’s and Parsons’s views.20 marks
Critically examine the functionalist views on the institution of family. How do those help us in understanding family in the present times?20 marks
What do you understand by institutionalization of ‘live-in-relationship?10 marks
Q7. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

How is religious revivalism different from communalism? Elaborate with suitable examples from the Indian context.20 marks
Education is often viewed as an agency of social change. However in reality it could also reinforce inequalities and conservatism. Discuss.20 marks
According to Marx, capitalism transforms even the personal relationships between men and women. Critically examine with illustrations from the contemporary Indian context.10 marks
Q8. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

How is the increasing use of technology changing the status of women in Indian society?20 marks
Write a short essay on the Latin American perspective on ‘dependency’.20 marks
What do you understand by social movement? How has the mobilization by Scheduled Castes helped them in constructing a new identity?10 marks
Sociology Optional Paper 2: SECTION-A
Q1.Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

Gandhi’s efforts on communal harmony
Modernisation of Indian traditions
Types of kinship systems in India
Features of caste system
G.S. Ghurye’s Indological approach to understand society in India
Q2. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

Analyse the different views on integration and autonomy of tribes in India.20 marks
Discuss the social background of Indian nationalism.20 marks
Define Patriarchy. How does it impact the overall entitlement of a girl child in India ?10 marks
Q3. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

Give a sociological analysis of the problems of migrant urban poor.20 marks
Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India.20 marks
Write some of the important social reforms in India for the removal of untouchability.10 marks
Q4. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

Discuss the status of women among the emerging urban middle class.20 marks
Describe the impact of land reforms on the peasants of Indian society.20 marks
What is the idea of ‘Indian village’? Explain.10 marks
Sociology Optional Paper 2: SECTION-B
Q5. Write short notes with a sociological Perspective on the following in about 150 words each: 10×5=50

Trends of Infant Mortality Rate among females10 marks
Domestic Violence Act, 2005
Dynamics of Contemporary Dalit movements
Impact of privatisation on educational disparities
Rural landless labourers and development induced displacement
Q6. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

What are the main features of the second wave of Women’s movement in the Indian context ?20 marks
Discuss the ‘Chipko movement’ as an example of eco-feminism.20 marks
Discuss the impact of globalisation on the workers in the Informal sector.10 marks
Q7. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

What are the demographic projections for the ageing population (60+) for the next decade? What are the implications for formulating policy for them ?20 marks
What are the possible underlying causes of the spurt of increased violence against women in public spaces in the last decade ?20 marks
How do caste and class come together in creating the category of extreme poor ?10 marks
Q8. Answer the following: (20+20+10 marks)

Many caste conflicts are between castes which are close to each other on the hierarchical scale.’ Give a sociological explanation for this phenomenon.20 marks
Tribal conflicts based on ethnic differences often camouflage a struggle for political and economic advantage.’ Substantiate with examples.20 marks
Who are the elites? Discuss their roles in bringing social transformation.10 marks

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