AIR 306 · CSE 2023 · Sociology I · 52 pages

Pooja Malani: Sociology I answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1In Marx's view, social stratification is created by people's differing relationship to the means of production. Discuss.50 marks
  2. Q1(a)The change in intellectual orientation in Europe led to the emergence of sociology. Discuss.
  3. Q1(b)Do you think phenomenology restore the primacy of human experience and meaning giving acts of human consciousness?
  4. Q1(c)How viable is interview method in present era of social distancing and virtual world? Can we eliminate it altogether, given the importance of the method in social science research?
  5. Q1(d)Do you agree that Pattern Variable theory is preconceived?
  6. Q2(a)Micro sociological understanding of self and society ought to be different from macro sociological understanding of social systems - How?20 marks
  7. Q2(b)The process of embourgeoisement is antithetical to the concept of 'proletarisation' and 'class in itself'. Critically analyse.20 marks
  8. Q2(c)Modernity has many children, one of them is 'fundamentalism'. Critically evaluate the relevance of the statement.10 marks
  9. Q3(a)"Anomie gives you temporary gains and permanent sufferings". In the light of Durkheim's theory of anomie, explain the relevance of the statement in present context.20 marks
  10. Q3(b)Race, gender and caste as a hierarchical system (perfected inequality) has become a thing of the past, now it has become more of a competitive system where inequality on the basis of merit (practical inequality) is ingrained in the system. Elucidate with the help of suitable examples.20 marks
  11. Q3(c)Values are as important as facts in sociological research. Discuss.10 marks
  12. Q5(a)Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. (a) According to Marx, "labour is the source of wealth and prime basic condition for human existence". Comment.10 marks
  13. Q5(b)'Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. Analyse the sociological significance of the statement.10 marks
  14. Q5(c)There is a strong correspondence between sociology of religion and sociology of knowledge. Comment.10 marks
  15. Q5(d)Examine digital parenting as a need of the hour in an increasing digitised world.10 marks
  16. Q5(e)Many social theorists have built on Marx's conflict theory to bolster it, grow it, and refine it over the years. Comment.10 marks
  17. Q7(a)The overriding goal of each state is to maximize its share of world power, which means gaining power at the expense of other states. Discuss in context of Weberian views on power.20 marks
  18. Q7(b)Normalization of informal work and almost ninety two percent of the workers in the informal work in the country are not just an accident. Do you think this informality is planned for the sustenance of the formal?20 marks
  19. Q7(c)Industrialization has disrupted the traditional relationship between generations, as well as the relationship between spouses in a familial structure. Discuss.10 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 50 marks · 110 words written

In Marx's view, social stratification is created by people's differing relationship to the means of production. Discuss.

Opening · a definition

Karl Marx defined social stratification as a mechanism of exploitation by ruling class. According to Marx, unequal relations of production arising due to lack of ownership of means of production results into Inequalities. When these economic inequalities are ranked hierarchically results into social stratification. It is based on ruling class ideology facilitated by false class consciousness.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
- Pyramid showing: - Top: Capitalist - Middle: Petty trader - Bottom: Prole-tariat - Label: Proletarisation - Caption: Fig Marx's stratification

Close · a summary

He highlighted alienation and revolution as consequences of stratification. He also explained proletarisation - process of downward social mobility in class structure. However, Weber added that not only economic ownership but also status and power determines social stratification. Despite criticism, Marx's theory of stratification was a useful shorthand to study inequalities in capitalist society.