Sociology Optional Question Paper-1 (2024)
Section A
Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology.
(b) Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group.
(c) Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from ‘ritual’ to ‘commercial’ in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change.
(d) Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment.
(e) What are the ‘basic and irreducible’ functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons? Explain.
Q2. (a) Sociology is the product of European enlightenment and renaissance. Critically examine this statement.
(b) Do you think ‘objectivity’ is an over-hyped idea in sociological research? Discuss the merits and demerits of non-positivist methods.
(c) What is social mobility? Critically examine the classification of ‘closed’ and ‘open’ models of social stratification.
Q3. (a) How do you view and assess the increasing trend of digital ethnography and the use of visual culture in sociological research?
(b) Describe the main idea of Max Weber’s book, *The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism* as a critique of Marxism.
(c) Critically explain the salient features of ‘alienation’ as propounded by Karl Marx.
Q4. (a) What do you understand by ‘mixed method’? Discuss its strengths and limitations in social research.
(b) Define the concept of ‘gig’ economy and discuss its impact on the labour market and workers’ social security net.
(c) Critically assess the impact of technological advancement and automation on the nature of work and employment.
Section B
Q5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) Describe various characteristics of a ‘social fact’. How is the rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim?
(b) Explain G.H. Mead’s idea of development of ‘self’ through the ‘generalised other’.
(c) Describe the differing principles of work organization in feudal and capitalist societies.
(d) How is ‘power’ different from ‘authority’? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber.
(e) Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is your opinion on their increasing trend in ‘online’ education and teaching?
Q6. (a) Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges.
(b) How does a multicultural society accommodate diversities of all kinds—ethnic, linguistic, and religious? Discuss its major challenges.
(c) Discuss the concept of animism and differentiate it from naturism.
Q7. (a) Do modernization and secularization necessarily go together? Give your views.
(b) How do you understand the phenomena of the mushrooming of sects and cults in contemporary society? Discuss the factors responsible for the trend.
(c) Discuss the dimensions of power in the construction and maintenance of social hierarchies in a society.
Q8. (a) Modern families have not just become nuclear and neo-local, but also filiocentric. How do you explain this trend?
(b) Discuss various theories of social change. Explain the limitations of unilinear theory of social change.
(c) Critically examine the World-Systems theory of Immanuel Wallerstein in terms of development and dependency of various nations.
Sociology Optional Question Paper-2 (2024)
Section A
Q1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) What, according to you, are the factors responsible for the continuance of caste system in India? Explain.
(b) Discuss the changes taking place in the industrial class structure in India.
(c) Is patriarchy a key to understanding different forms of inequalities in Indian society? Elaborate.
(d) Do you think that family bondings are being affected by the changing kinship patterns in India? Comment.
(e) Despite the efforts of the government, bonded labour still continues in India. Discuss.
Q2. (a) Differentiate between ‘Western’ and ‘Indological’ perspectives on the study of Indian society. Bring out the major aspects of G. S. Ghurye’s contribution to ‘Indological’ approach.
(b) What are the definitional problems involved in identifying tribes in India? Discuss the main obstacles to tribal development in India.
(c) What, according to Andre Beteille, are the bases of agrarian class structure in India? Analyse.
Q3. (a) Why is the study of marriage important in Sociology? Analyse the implications of changing marriage patterns for Indian society.
(b) Do you think that the constitutional provisions for women have led to their uplift? Give reasons for your answer.
(c) Education is a key to social development. Elucidate.
Q4. (a) How do religious communities contribute to the cultural diversity of India?
(b) What do you understand by decentralisation of power? What is its role in strengthening the roots of democracy in India? Elaborate.
(c) What are the different forms of untouchability still practised in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations.
Section B
Q5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:
(a) Examine with suitable examples the recent trends in the growth of urban settlements in India.
(b) Is there a connection between labour migration and informal sector? Justify your answer with reference to Indian context.
(c) Are slums the manifestations of industrialisation and urbanisation in India? Explain.
(d) Discuss the changing nature of political elites in India.
(e) What is your assessment about the recent farmers’ movement in India? Elaborate.
Q6. (a) Discuss the major challenges related to women’s reproductive health in India. What measures would you suggest to overcome these challenges?
(b) What is sustainable development? How can sustainability be achieved in India where livelihood needs conflict with environmental protection?
(c) Critically examine the relevance of development planning in India.
Q7. (a) Analyse the trilogy between environmental movement, development, and tribal identity.
(b) To what extent have the legal provisions been effective in curbing violence against women in India? Give your argument.
(c) Trace the social and historical origins of Dalit movements in modern India.
Q8. (a) Highlight the major contributions of the reform movements in pre-independent India.
(b) Identify different forms of inequalities associated with agrarian social structure in India.
(c) What are pressure groups? Discuss their role in decision-making in democracy.