AIR 764 · CSE 2025 · Sociology I · 45 pages

Sana Azmi: Sociology I answer copy

18 answers by Sana Azmi, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1(a)Religion is a source of consensus and conflict. Discuss.10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Distinguish between 'mechanical solidarity' and 'organic solidarity' in Durkheim's analysis of the division of labor.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)Distinguish between the 'sacred' and the 'profane' in Durkheim's study of religion.10 marks
  4. Q1(d)"Bureaucracy is a rational form of organization." Discuss.10 marks
  5. Q2(a)"Authority is based on legitimate domination." Explain Weber's typology of authority with suitable examples.20 marks
  6. Q2(b)Distinguish between people being socially excluded and people excluding themselves socially in societies.20 marks
  7. Q2(c)Compare Merton's concept of deviance with Durkheim's idea of anomie. How do they differ in explaining deviant behavior?10 marks
  8. Q5(a)Discuss how Durkheim's study of suicide demonstrates the impact of social structure on individual behavior.10 marks
  9. Q5(b)What does Karl Marx mean by 'alienation'? How does alienation impact workers in a capitalist mode of production?10 marks
  10. Q5(c)"The informal sector serves as both a safety net and a trap in developing economies." Critically examine.10 marks
  11. Q5(d)Examine the role of ideology in driving social transformation in a democracy.10 marks
  12. Q5(e)How does reference group lead to relative deprivation and eventually criminal behaviour?10 marks
  13. Q7(a)“A study of power inevitably involves an investigation of social class”. Critically examine.20 marks
  14. Q7(b)Discuss how religious fundamentalism and extremism influence political ideologies and conflict in society?20 marks
  15. Q7(c)"Social inequality is both a cause and a consequence of social stratification." Discuss.10 marks
  16. Q8(a)As per Max Weber, differences in prestige and power are as important as differences in economic reward. Discuss how women are systematically disadvantaged in economic terms.20 marks
  17. Q8(b)Analyze the concept of secularization and discuss how does secularization impact religious institutions and the public sphere?20 marks
  18. Q8(c)What is Social Action? And how is Parsons Social Action different from Weber's Social Action?10 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 151 words written

Religion is a source of consensus and conflict. Discuss.

Opening · a definition

According to Durkheim, Religion is a unified system of beliefs & practices about sacred things, set apart & forbidden, unite people in to a single moral community those who adhere to it.

Religion as a source of Consensus

Body · points

  1. A device of solidarity - as opined by Merton in his theory of latent & manifest function of Hopi tribe rain dance.
  2. A device of social change - Otto Maduro talked about

how churches helped people in their liberation.

(III). prescribes Common Norms & Values to binds the society together.

(IV). A device of social control - prevent suicide & anomie (Durkheim)

Source of conflict

(1). Fundamentalism - Steve Bruce talked about the violent off-shoot of communalism

(2). Persecution - religion minorities eg Rohingyas

(3). wars - Middle East (Israel-Palestine conflict).

Close · a way forward

Religion is a double edged sword, should be utilized judiciously to bring most out of it.