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(a) Compare and critically assess 'the grounded theory' with 'theory-driven research method' in sociology. (b) According to Weber how do class, status and power interact to produce and sustain social inequality? (c) Compare the social organisation of work in industrial capitalism and platform capitalism.

(a) What is common sense? How are common knowledge and sociology related to each other? Explain. (b) What is the relationship (similarities and differences) between sociology and history in terms of their area of study and methodology? Discuss. (c) What is a variable in social research? What are their different types? Elaborate. (d) Can Merton's reference group theory be relevant in understanding 'identity making' in digital world? Explain. (e) Is the social stratification theory gender-blind? Elucidate.

(a) What is positivism? Critically analyze the major arguments against it. (b) Highlight the main features of historical materialism as propounded by Marx. How far is this theory relevant in understanding contemporary societies? Explain. (c) What do you mean by reliability? Discuss the importance of reliability in social science research.

(a) Compare capability deprivation approach with that of social capital deprivation in understanding chronic poverty. (b) Are pressure groups a threat to or a necessary element of democracy? Explain with suitable illustrations. (c) What is hypothesis? Critically evaluate the significance of hypothesis in social research.

(a) What is sampling in the context of social research? Discuss different forms of sampling with their relative advantages and disadvantages. (b) How do theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim differ in understanding religion? Explain. (c) What is the nature of relationship between science and religion in modern society? Analyze with suitable examples.

(a) How do you view and assess the increasing trend of digital ethnography and use of visual culture in sociological research? (b) Describe the main idea of Max Weber's book, 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism' as a critique of Marxism. (c) Critically explain the salient features of 'alienation' as propounded by Karl Marx.

(a) What do you understand by 'mixed method' ? Discuss its strengths and limitations in social research. (b) Define the concept of 'gig' economy and discuss its impact on labour market and workers' social security net. (c) Critically assess the impact of technological advancement and automation on the nature of work and employment.

(a) What are the different dimensions of qualitative method? Do you think that qualitative method helps to gain a deeper sociological insight? Give reasons for your answer. (b) Explain Max Weber's theory of social stratification. How does Weber's idea of class differ from that of Marx? (c) What are the ethical issues that a researcher faces in making use of participant observation as a method of collecting data? Explain.

(a) Europe was the first and the only place where modernity emerged. Comment. (b) Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data? Justify your answer. (c) Discuss the challenges involved in collecting data through census method. (d) Explain whether Durkheim's theory of Division of Labour is relevant in the present day context. (e) Critically examine Max Weber's theory of Social Stratification.

(a) How do qualitative and quantitative methods supplement each other in sociological enquiry? (b) Critically examine the dialectics involved in each mode of production as propounded by Karl Marx. (c) Do you agree with Max Weber's idea that bureaucracy has the potential to become an iron cage? Justify your answer.

(a) In the context of globalisation, has the scope of sociology been changing in India? Comment. (b) Discuss the importance and sources of hypothesis in social research. (c) What are the problems in observing social facts in Durkheim's views? (d) State the reasons for the various religious beliefs and practices in pre-modern societies. (e) Does the institution of marriage continue to be sacred in Indian society? Comment.

(a) Discuss the new labour codes and their impact on formal and informal labour in India. (b) According to Mills, "Elites rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms." Comment. (c) Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of social survey method in social research.

(a) Discuss the historical antecedents of the emergence of Sociology as a discipline. (b) Davis and Moore made it clear that social stratification is a functional necessity and also an unconscious device. Discuss. (c) What is the Marxist concept of 'fetishism of commodities'? (d) Present a sociological review on the 'new middle-class'. (e) Explain the probability sampling strategies with examples.

(a) According to Mead, "We play a key role in our own socialisation." Explain. (b) Bring out the significance of Ethnography in social research. (c) What is 'reserve army of labour'? Present the position of feminist scholars on this.

(a) Is the theory of cultural lag valid in present times? Discuss. (b) Are social movements primordial in means and progressive in agenda? Explain. (c) Does scientific method make Sociology a science? Illustrate your answer with Durkheim's method. (d) Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection with suitable examples from Indian society. (e) Is social mobility possible in closed systems of stratification? Illustrate from research work.

(a) Discuss the nature of social organisation of work in capitalist society with reference to the 'Limits of the working day'. (b) Distinguish between family and household with reference to the concept of development of the household. (c) Explain with examples, the explanatory and exploratory designs of social research.

(a) Explain how sociology has emerged as a distinct discipline based on rationality and scientific temper. (b) Examine ethnomethodological and phenomenological perspectives as critique of positivism. (c) Illustrate with example the significance of variables in sociological research. (d) Critically analyse Talcott Parsons' conception of 'Pattern Variables'. (e) Can we equate 'poverty' with 'poor living' ? Elaborate your answer.

(a) Delimit the scope of Sociology in relation to other social sciences. (b) How does a researcher achieve objectivity in interpretative research? (c) The difference between information and data in social science is subtle. Comment. (d) Durkheim argued that society is more than the sum of individual acts. Discuss. (e) How do sociologists construct gender in their analysis on social inequality?

(a) What aspects of 'Enlightenment' do you think paved way for the emergence of sociology? Elaborate. (b) Explain the different types of non-probability sampling techniques. Bring out the conditions of their usage with appropriate examples. (c) Discuss social mobility in open and closed system.

(a) What characterizes degradation of work in capitalist society according to Marx? (b) Social stratification is claimed to contribute to the maintenance of social order and stability in society. Critically assess. (c) What is reliability? Explain the different tests available to social science researcher to establish reliability.