AIR 218 · CSE 2016 · Sociology I · 60 pages

Satyam: Sociology I answer copy

28 answers by Satyam, 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) Sociology as an interpretative discipline10 marks
  2. Q1(b)Bearing of research on theory.10 marks
  3. Q1(c)Analyze the relationship between sociology and psychology10 marks
  4. Q1(d)Concept of ideal type and its limitations10 marks
  5. Q1(e)An evaluation of 'Longitudinal research'10 marks
  6. Q2(a)"Not all facts about human behavior are necessarily social facts." State the meaning of social facts and the methods of studying them with reference to this statement.20 marks
  7. Q2(b)Critically analyze Talcott Parsons contribution to theory of social action.15 marks
  8. Q2(c)What is the importance of Merton's Middle Range Theory in sociology? Discuss critically.15 marks
  9. Q3(a)Attempt a comparative analysis of the Weber and Marxian theories of social change. Which do you think is more relevant to the Indian society at present? Give reason for your answer.20 marks
  10. Q3(b)Religion is said to have emancipated human beings on the one hand but it also alienates them on the other. Bring out the paradoxical functions religion plays in a modern secular society.20 marks
  11. Q3(c)Write a short note on Mead's notion of "self".10 marks
  12. Q4(a)"Patriarchy is indispensable for an analysis of gender inequality". In the context of this statement, critically examine various structures of patriarchy.20 marks
  13. Q4(b)“Participant observation in many situation is nothing more than a case study”.15 marks
  14. Q4(c)Briefly analyze the role of ideology as an essential component of social movement.15 marks
  15. Q5(a)Reasons for the growth of sects and cults10 marks
  16. Q5(b)5. (b) Social disorganization10 marks
  17. Q5(c)Pareto's analysis of circulation of elites10 marks
  18. Q5(d)5. (d) Protests and agitation10 marks
  19. Q5(e)Human Relation school of thought by Elton Mayo.10 marks
  20. Q6(a)"Collective action in politics can bring integration and disintegration in society." Comment.20 marks
  21. Q6(b)Distinguish between people being socially excluded and people excluding themselves socially in societies.15 marks
  22. Q6(c)"The theory of secularization is essentially contested." Comment.15 marks
  23. Q7(a)Critically examine the relationship between media and society with respect to major theoretical approaches in sociology.20 marks
  24. Q7(b)Examine the role of civil society in reinforcing democracy.
  25. Q7(c)Examine the social impact of globalization on labor and society.15 marks
  26. Q8(a)Define poverty. Discuss the social distribution of poverty in the society.20 marks
  27. Q8(b)To what extent the study of social mobility plays a vital part in understanding the class structure of any society? Comment.15 marks
  28. Q8(c)Examine the social consequences of increase in the rate of divorce.15 marks

The answers

Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 165 words written

Write a short note on each of the following in not more than 150 words. 1. (a) Sociology as an interpretative discipline

Opening

Sociology, as a child of European modernity, was deeply influenced by the development of historical, political and philosophical thought process in Europe. 'Hermeneutics' of Dilthey refers to the interpretation of texts to understand context. This inspired Max Weber to come up with the idea of 'Verstehen' in sociology. Here lied the seeds of sociology being an interpretative discipline.

Body · continuous prose

As an interpretative discipline, sociology believes that the real aim of sociology is to 'interpret' the meanings and motives behind 'social actions' of individual actors in society. Weber says that a sociologist should try to place himself in the shoes of the actor (empathic liaison) to understand social reality.

Close

As an interpretative discipline, sociology moved further to venture into symbolic interactionism, trying to understand the meanings of jointly shared symbols in society. This way sociology broke the 'societal determinism' of functionalists and positivists. But, on the other hand, interpretative sociology is criticized to be vague and oblivious of the cultural and historical settings in which actions unfold.