AIR 308 · CSE 2016 · Sociology I · 60 pages

Abhilasha Abhinav: Sociology I answer copy

23 answers by Abhilasha Abhinav, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. 1. (a) Idiographic and nomothetic approach12.5 marks
  2. Q1(b)Briefly discuss "Social Capital theory" of Robert D. Putnam12.5 marks
  3. Q1(c)Bureaucracy and Rational Action12.5 marks
  4. Q1(d)Analyze Durkheim's concept of "Moral Individualism"12.5 marks
  5. Q2(a)Critically analyze the contribution of Sociology as a "scientific study of society" to the rational understanding of the social world around us.25 marks
  6. Q2(b)Talcott Parson's understanding of the social system is high on technical virtuosity but low in grounded research. Analyze25 marks
  7. Q3(a)Emile Durkheim had argued that the function of division of labour in society is that of the promotion of social solidarity. Discuss the statement and critically analyze Durkheim's Division of Labour theory, with reference to contemporary trends.25 marks
  8. Q3(b)"Sociology and political science are so closely and deeply related to each other that one becomes meaningless without the other". Analyze25 marks
  9. Q4(a)"The theory of stratification by Davis and Moore was (and remains) highly influential, but has generated enormous controversy". In this context, give a brief overview of its criticism.20 marks
  10. Q4(b)Critically examine the "Nature and scope of feminist method" in social science research.15 marks
  11. Q4(c)Write a short note on "resource mobilization theory" in context of study of social movements.15 marks
  12. Q5(a)Gender and social mobility12.5 marks
  13. Q5(b)Impact of "modernization" on the "institution of marriage".12.5 marks
  14. Q5(c)Social composition and policies for informal sector12.5 marks
  15. Q5(d)Critically evaluate the concept of "elite exclusion".12.5 marks
  16. Q6(a)Secularization as a social process has its challenges in the form of religious fundamentalism in the contemporary society. Critically examine.25 marks
  17. Q6(b)"In the sociology of deviance, no single theory has emerged as dominant." Discuss.25 marks
  18. Q7(a)Compare and contrast Parson's and Pluralist perspective in context of "Power".20 marks
  19. Q7(b)Briefly analyze the role of "political parties" in strengthening of democracy.15 marks
  20. Q7(c)“Globalization leads to homogenization of culture”. Critically Comment15 marks
  21. Q8(a)Critically examine the "conflict theory" of social change.20 marks
  22. Q8(b)Write a short note on "Social consequences of science and technology".15 marks
  23. Q8(c)"Family diversity has emerged as a global trend". Substantiate15 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 12.5 marks · 163 words written

Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. 1. (a) Idiographic and nomothetic approach

Opening

Idiographic approach deals with carving out generalisations. This approach is used for Sociology.

Body · continuous prose

Nomothetic approach deals with unique, isolated events and theorises events in cause and effect manner. This is more used in History.

Sociology is a scientific study of social structure, principles, institutions and changes. It uses various qualitative as well as quantitative methods to get a generalisation. The society and man are interrelated so none can be seen in isolation. It takes various methods like survey, biography, questionnaire etc. to deduce general ideas. Sociologists like Marx, Weber, Emile Durkheim have used several methods to generalise their studies on Religion, Capitalism, Suicide etc.

Nomothetic approach deals with specific ideas, objective methods. It uses tools like carbon footprint, scientific methods to predate antiquities. Its methods are empirical in nature.

Close · a summary

However history is never seen in isolation, likewise nomothetic approach takes valuable input from the idiographic features to construct the exact understanding of society which led to historical events. Hence both influence each other.