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(a) Discuss the relationship between religion and science in modern society. Do they necessarily remain in conflict? (b) Is 'interpretativism' more effective than 'positivism' in analysing social reality? Discuss. (c) How does Emile Durkheim conceptualize religion as a 'social fact'? Explain.

(a) The major challenge for sociology researchers is to analyze social reality objectively. Critically analyze. (b) Explain the concept of 'definition of the situation' and its significance in sociology. (c) In what way the concept of 'patriarchal bargain' be applied to the institution of marriage? Comment. (d) How does Max Weber's 'theory of authority' shape bureaucracy? Analyse. (e) How do different theories explain social dimensions of social movements? Discuss.

(a) Discuss the intellectual origins of sociology and the historical antecedents of its evolution as a distinct field of study. (b) Critically analyse the mode of production debate from different perspectives. (c) How does the rise of new 'cults' and 'sects' influence intercaste relations?

(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) Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology. (b) Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group. (c) Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from 'ritual' to 'commercial' in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change. (d) Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment. (e) What are the 'basic and irreducible' functions of the family as proposed by Talcott Parsons ? Explain.

(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) Describe various characteristics of a 'social fact'. How is rate of suicide a social fact according to Durkheim? (b) Explain G.H. Mead's idea of development of 'self' through the 'generalised other'. (c) Describe the differing principles of work organization in feudal and capitalist societies. (d) How is 'power' different from 'authority' ? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber. (e) Critically examine the roles of science and technology in social change. What is your opinion on their increasing trend in 'online' education and teaching?

(a) What is the distinctiveness of the feminist method of social research? Comment. (b) Discuss the relationship between sociology and political science. (c) How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life? (d) Is reference group theory a universally applicable model? Elucidate. (e) Do you think that the boundary line between ethnicity and race is blurred? Justify your answer.

(a) What, according to Robert Michels, is the iron law of oligarchy? Do lions and foxes in Vilfredo Pareto's theory, essentially differ from each other? Substantiate. (b) What is historical materialism? Examine its relevance in understanding contemporary societies. (c) What are variables? How do they facilitate research?

(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) Explain the emerging challenges in establishing gender equality in the informal sector. (b) Critically examine the relevance of Vilfredo Pareto's theory of Circulation of Elites in the present scenario. (c) Critically compare the views of E.B. Tylor and Max Muller on Religion. (d) What is cult? Explain the growth of cults in the contemporary world. (e) Do you think Talcott Parsons gave an adequate theory of social change? Justify your answer.

(a) How did the intellectual forces lead to the emergence of sociology? Discuss. (b) Is sociology a value-free science? Discuss. (c) Methodology is a system of rules, principles and procedures, which forms scientific investigation. Comment. (d) 'Ideal Types' of Max Weber are mental constructs, they do not correspond to the reality. Give your views. (e) Analyse the relevance of 'Pattern variables' in the study of social change.

(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 are the shortfalls of positivist philosophy that gave rise to the non-positivist methods of studying social reality? (b) Critically examine how Durkheim and Merton explicate Anomie. (c) Suggest measures to minimize the influence of the researcher in the process of collecting data through focus group discussion.

(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.

(a) Critically examine the relevance of Durkheim's views on religion in contemporary society. (b) Discuss various theoretical perspectives on the family. (c) Explain the implications of feminization of work in the developing societies. (d) Write a note on global trends of secularization. (e) Trace the trajectory of development perspectives on social change.

(a) According to Mead the idea of self develops when the individual becomes self-conscious. Explain. (b) Analyse the nature of transition from ideology to identity politics in India. (c) How do little tradition and great tradition coexist in contemporary Indian society?

(a) Critically analyse Parsons views on society as a social system. (b) Discuss how 'environmentalism' can be explained with new social movements approach. (c) Illustrate with examples the role of pressure groups in the formulation of social policies.