PYQ Browser

(a) In what ways do class and caste intersect and overlap in shaping social structure? (b) Critically examine the position of women in the informal economy. (c) Discuss the role of geographical factors in social change and development. (d) Although sociology, as a subject of study, overarches all disciplines in social sciences yet it maintains its distinctiveness. Comment. (e) Explain in brief the relationship between social movement, collective action and revolution in bringing about social and political changes.

(a) Elaborate major sociological theories of power. How do power elite shape the political process in modern societies? (b) Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of migration on rural households. (c) 'The methods of sociology are inadequate in understanding the complex social phenomena'. Discuss.

(a) How are the concepts of nation, state and citizenship interrelated in a democracy? Elaborate. (b) Critically evaluate the relevance of the cyclical theory of social change in understanding contemporary societies. (c) Discuss the significance and limitations of 'intersectionality' in social research.

(a) In what way is the scope of sociology unique? Explain. (b) Does the structural-functionalist perspective on social stratification promote a status quo? Give reasons for your answer. (c) Do you think that the formal workspaces are free of gender bias? Argue your case. (d) How does Weber's Verstehen address the objectivity-subjectivity debate in sociology? (e) To what extent can education and skill development be an agent of social change? Critically analyze.

(a) What do you understand by sustainable development? Discuss the elements of sustainable development as proposed in the UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals Report-2015. (b) How do 'Civil Society Organizations' such as 'NGOs' and 'Self-Help Groups' contribute to grassroot level social changes? Discuss. (c) In what way does queer kinship challenge the traditional kinship system? Substantiate by giving illustrations.

(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) Modern families have not just become nuclear and neo-local, but also filiocentric. How do you explain this trend? (b) Discuss various theories of social change. Explain the limitations of unilinear theory of social change. (c) Critically examine the World-Systems theory of Immanuel Wallerstein in terms of development and dependency of various nations.

(a) Explain how economic globalization has brought changes in the patterns of employment in the 21st century. (b) Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? Argue your case. (c) Assess critically A. G. Frank's 'theory of development of underdevelopment'.

(a) What is Taylorism? Analyze its merits and demerits. (b) What are new religious movements? Elaborate emphasizing their forms and orientations. (c) Examine the role of science and technology in addressing age-old taboos and superstitions.

(a) Explain how the pattern of patriarchy is being altered in a family and at the workplace in the present context. (b) Critically examine the contribution of dependency theories in understanding the present global scenario. (c) Explain the growing salience of ethnicity in the contemporary world with illustrations.

(a) Discuss the changing nature of kinship relations in the contemporary world. (b) Describe the role of Science and Technology in enabling us to face the challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. (c) Highlight the roles and functions of civil society in a democratic system.

(a) Is humanity at the mercy of Nature, Science and Technology? Comment in the light of pandemic situation. (b) According to Durkheim, "The major function of education is the transmission of society's norms and values." Discuss. (c) Critically assess social mobility in closed and open systems.

(a) Technology has accelerated the process of development and dependency. Discuss. (b) Phenomenological perspectives in sociology reject many of the assumptions of positivism. Comment. (c) Critically assess the Marxian theory of 'Alienation'.

(a) Differentiate between 'Life-chances' and 'Life-style' with suitable examples. (b) Discuss the issues of access and exclusion in higher education in India. (c) What is civil society? Present a note on civil society engagement with science and technology policy in India. (d) Critique A.G. Frank's 'development of underdevelopment'. (e) How well do you think Tonnies, Durkheim, Weber and Marx predicted the character of modern society? Critique.

(a) What is 'informal labour'? Discuss the need for and challenges in regulating informal labour in the post-industrial society. (b) Feminist scholars argue that 'New media' is masculine and hence reinforces structural hierarchies rather than reconfiguring them. Comment. (c) Discuss the concept of circulation of elite.

(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) What do you understand by 'informalisation of labour' ? Write your answer with special reference to India. (b) Discuss the changing interface between state and civil society in post-independent India. (c) Give an assessment of Durkheimian notion of 'sacred' and 'profane' in sociology of religion. (d) Examine 'patriarchal bargain' as gendered division of work in contemporary India. (e) Assess the role of mass media as an agent of social change.

(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) Sociologists argue for democratization of science and technology for inclusive development. Comment. (b) Are traditional social institutions getting weakened as agents of social change in the contemporary society? Substantiate. (c) How do you understand the relationship between patriarchy and social development?

(a) Discuss in detail the main issues of development planning in mixed economy like India. (b) Do you think MSP (Minimum Support Price) Scheme for agricultural produce can help in rural development? Elaborate your response with suitable examples. (c) How can skill development programme induce social change? Illustrate.