AIR 268 · CSE 2025 · Sociology I · 52 pages

Ishita Sharma: Sociology I answer copy

19 answers by Ishita Sharma, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)The Enlightenment period was a significant contributing factor to the emergence of sociology in the late 18th and early 19th century. Discuss.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Critical social science embraces all those approaches in sociology that aim to be critical of society in order to facilitate social change. In this context, discuss the main features of critical social science.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)The closer the Hypothesis generated by a theory comes to the reality, the better is the theory. Discuss the importance of building hypothesis in this context.10 marks
  4. Q1(d)What is the Gig economy? How does it lead to Informalization of labour?10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Gender is not something that we innately have, but rather is something that we do. In this context, explain the gender differences reinforced when we "do gender."10 marks
  6. Q2(a)It is argued that the society is largely influenced by economic factors while economic processes are determined by the social conditions. Discuss.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)While quantitative research is useful for identifying relationships between variables, it is qualitative research that can illuminate why this connection exists. Discuss.20 marks
  8. Q2(c)Education is not only instrumental in bringing about social change, it is also instrumental in maintaining the status quo. Discuss.10 marks
  9. Q3(a)Low-income countries are not underdeveloped, rather mis-developed. In the light of this statement, critically examine dependency theories on development.20 marks
  10. Q3(b)People react to others first and foremost as men and women, rather than in terms of their class membership. In this context, critically examine the factors identified by Kate Millet that explain the existence of Patriarchy.20 marks
  11. Q3(c)What is Multivariate analysis? Discuss it in context of Durkheim's study of Suicide.10 marks
  12. Q4(a)Discuss the stages in which the institution of family evolved from pre-industrial society, according to Michael Young and Peter Willmott in their work "The Symmetric Family".20 marks
  13. Q4(b)Sociology has a body of concepts, methods and data which distinguishes it from Common sensical approach. Explain.20 marks
  14. Q4(c)Explain Alvin Gouldner's reflexive sociology as a critique of positivism.10 marks
  15. Q5(a)Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. 10 x 5 = 50 (a) Feminisation of Labour Force is viewed as a progress towards women's emancipation and empowerment. Critically discuss.10 marks
  16. Q5(b)Law entails two interrelated processes: the institutionalization and the internalization of patterns of behaviour. Comment.10 marks
  17. Q5(c)Family is represented as a unit where relations are unequal and exploitative based on sex. Critically discuss.10 marks
  18. Q5(d)Science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom. Critically discuss.10 marks
  19. Q5(e)Critically discuss the role played by Positivist methodology to attain Value neutrality in sociological research.10 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 155 words written

The Enlightenment period was a significant contributing factor to the emergence of sociology in the late 18th and early 19th century. Discuss.

Opening

Sociology as a distinctive discipline emer- ged in 19th century with comte coining the term in 1839.

The nascent discipline was both influenced & emerged as a reaction to Enlightenment.

Enlightenment period (18th & 19th c.) in Europe provided both to sociology. (A) Subject matter :-

Enlightenment provided the basis for further changes, viz → french Revolu-tion & Industrial Revolution, which altered the material, intellectual & political landscape.

Body · points and prose

ch Revolu-tion & Industrial Revolution, which altered the material, intellectual & political landscape.

→ Intellectual :- focus on individual, new societal values like liberty, equality humanism. Eg - Kant voiced for individual freedom & objectivity.

→ social : Emergence of modernity, urbanization, family nuclearisation, new form of stratification & social disorder.

→ political : Emergence of nation states, inspired from thoughts like "social contract" of Hobbes.

Close · a source

(B) Methods :- focus on empiricism, emphasis on scientific method → all led to early Positivism in sociology.

Hence, as rightly pointed by Irving Zeitlin, early sociology developed as a reaction to Enlightent-ment .