AIR 222 · CSE 2023 · Sociology II · 52 pages

Sameer Goel: Sociology II answer copy

19 answers by Sameer Goel, 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. (a) A R Desai studied Indian society through lens of contradictions. Elaborate.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Are definitional issues an obstacle in tribal development? Discuss.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)Marriage and family, the two social institutions with biological foundations, are complementary to each other. Discuss.10 marks
  4. Q1(d)In what ways, New Middle Class is different from Old Middle Class. Illustrate.10 marks
  5. Q1(e)Discuss the challenges associated with process of ageing from different sociological perspectives.10 marks
  6. Q2(a)India is on the cusp of cultural revivalism. In this light, examine the Indological approach of G S Ghurye to study Indian Society.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)"Caste system in India is a major barrier to social mobility." Discuss. Also, explain the factors that contribute to the persistence of caste-based inequalities.20 marks
  8. Q2(c)Discuss Max Weber's theory of power and authority in the Indian context. How do different forms of authority manifest in Indian social structures?10 marks
  9. Q4(a)"One clear picture of single dominant mode of production has not yet appeared in the map of Indian agrarian social structure." Examine the statement.20 marks
  10. Q4(b)"Contemporary forms of marriages challenge traditional social norms in Indian society." Discuss. Also, examine the social implications and conflicts surrounding such marriages.20 marks
  11. Q4(c)"Religion is the opium of the people". Discuss the relevance of the statement in the light of contemporary rise in religious fervour.10 marks
  12. Q5(a)The relationship between education and social mobility in Indian society is complex and intertwined. Discuss.10 marks
  13. Q5(b)"Modern slavery – be it bonded labor, involuntary servitude, or sexual slavery – is a crime and cannot be tolerated in any culture, community, or country". Explain.10 marks
  14. Q5(c)Globalisation has led to interconnectedness which can be understood under three major themes-homogenization, polarization and hybridization. Discuss.10 marks
  15. Q5(d)Indian Village is a microcosm of Indian society. In this context, Explain the idea of Indian Village.10 marks
  16. Q5(e)What is ethnicity? In the light of recent Manipur Violence, discuss the issue of ethnic conflicts and reasons for it from Sociological perspectives.10 marks
  17. Q8(a)"Caste identity and caste-based politics are intertwined in Indian society." Discuss this statement in light of role of caste in electoral politics, representation, and social mobilization.20 marks
  18. Q8(b)How is Indian morality different from constitutional morality? How does it affect the social change that it was supposed to bring, as envisioned by founding fathers?20 marks
  19. Q8(c)"Urbanisation is the inevitable outcome of the processes of growth and of modernisation". Analyse sustainable urbanization as a way to inclusive development. Elaborate.10 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 126 words written

Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. (a) A R Desai studied Indian society through lens of contradictions. Elaborate.

Opening · a definition

A.R. Desai is credited for introducing the Marxist approach in the study of Indian society.

Body · points

Features of A.R. Desai's approach are:

  1. Indian society is understood in terms of historical dialectical developments in material terms. Change is rooted in changing material conditions.

  2. Social institutions and social relationships are seen rooted in productive relations.

  3. Primacy is given to economic infrastructure.

  4. Systemic study of society. There is economic interpretation of culture.

  5. Institutions were seen in forms of exploitative nature and study of conflict is done in society. Ex: Jajmani system.

Thus, his approach criticised also:

  1. Did not take account of religion and culture.

  2. Social order and social integration was not studied.

Close · a summary

But still it brought new ways to understand the society.