Mains Sociology paper-2 IAS-2011

Sociology

Paper-II

Time Allowed: Three Hours                                Maximum Marks: 300

Instructions

Each question is printed both in Hindi and in English.

Answer must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No mark will be given for the answer written in a medium other than that specified in the Admission Certificate.

Candidate should attempt Question Nos.1 and 5 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining questions selecting at least one question from each Section. All question carry equal marks.

Section-A

1.  Write short notes with a sociological perspective on the following in not more than 150 words each:  4x15 =60

(a) Perspectives’ on the study of caste by M.N. Srinivas and Andre Beteille.

(b) Distinction between the concepts of family and household.

(c) Unity and diversity among the tribes in India.

(d) The book-view and the field-view in Indian sociology.

2. (a) Bring out the relationship between fertility and social structure as viewed by Davis and Blake. 30

(b) “Protective discrimination not only protects but also discriminates.” Comment. 30

3. (a) Distinguish between ‘secularism’ and ‘secularisation’. Analyse the nature and extent of secularization in contemporary India. 30

(b) Analyze the term ‘dalit’ and the evolution of the related concept as a reflection of the changing consciousness and self-assertion of the dalit community. 30

4. (a) How are the issues of ethnicity are the issues of ethnicity and nationalism related? Discuss in the context of the emergence of ethno nationalism in India. 30

(b) What are the linkage points between globalization and the growth of the informal sector? How have these affected the nature and functioning of the working class? 30

Section-B

5. Write short notes on the following in not more than 150 words each. Your answer should have a sociological perspective. 4x15=60

(a) Stage of the Women’s movement in India.

(b) Impact of Green Revolution on rural class structure.

(c) Infant Mortality Rate is the most sensitive index for measuring development. Comment.

(d) Structural factors behind violence against women.

6. (a) Critically examine D.N. Dhanagare’s  views on agrarian movements in India. 20

(b) Explain the interface between population, ecology and environment in the context of India. 20

(c) ‘Casteism is the  modern edition of the caste system.’ Do you agree with this statement / Discuss with arguments. 20

7. (a) Comment on the factors responsible for the growth and consolidation of middle level peasantry in rural India. How is it related to capitalism in Indian agriculture?             30

8. (a) Rapid urbanization and sustainable development do not go together. Discuss with arguments.  20

(b) Analyze the changing nexus between caste and tribe.   20

(c) Bring out the relationship between social class and mortality.  20

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Mains Sociology paper -1 IAS -2011

Sociology

Paper – I

Time Allowed: Three Hours                     Maximum Marks: 300

Instructions

Each question is printed both in Hindi and in English.

Answer must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No marks will be given for the answer written in a medium other than that specified in the Admission Certificate.

Candidate should attempt Question no. 1 and 5 which are compulsory, and any three of the remaining question selecting at least one question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.

Section A

1. Write short notes on the following, keeping sociological perspective in view (Each short note in about 150 words):   12x5=60

(a) Emergence of Sociology is an outcome of modernity and social change in Europe

(b) Fact and Value

(c) Reliability and Validity

(d) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

(e) The problem of gender

2. (a) What can Sociology show us about our actions? Discuss the practical significance of Sociology. 30

(b) What is Class? Do you think that Weber’s contribution to social stratification is different from that of Marx? 30

3. (a) What is subjective method in social research ? Examine Focus group Discussion (FGD) as a technique for data collection, with suitable examples.  30

(b) Define Ideal Type and explain Weber’s concept of ‘Verstehen’ for understanding social phenomena. 30

4. (a) Give conceptual meaning of social system. What is cognitive consonance between ‘pattern’ variables’ and ‘paradigm’? 30

(b) What do you mean by social mobility? Discuss the major sources and causes of mobility. 30

Section B

5. Write short notes on the following from a sociological perspective (Earth short note in about 150 words): 12x5=60

(a) Self-Help Group (SHG) as an informal organization of work

(b) Power Elite

(c) Cultural Pluralism

(d) Lineage and Descent

(e) Development and Dependency

6. (a) What is formal organization?

“The growth of bureaucracy has resulted in extreme concentration of power at larger levels of social organization.” Discuss.  20

(b) Highlight prerequisites of social movement bring out the differences between social movement and revolution. 20

(c) “Collective action in politics can bring integration and disintegration in society.” Comment.   20

7. (a) Define sect, cult and religion. In what way do Weber’s views on religion differ from those of Durkheim?    20

(b) What you mean by marriage and family? Discuss the structural and functional changes in family in modern society. 20

(c) Explain the concepts of Participatory Democracy What conditions are assumed to be conducive to participation? 20

8. (a) “ Social support mechanism needs to be strengthened for effective implementation of development programmes.” 20

(b) Discuss World System Theory in the context of modern society.  20

(c) “Science and Technology are major forces accelerating the process of social change.” Comment. 20

Source:http://www.jagranjosh.com

Exam Strategy for Sociology

Sociology

Paper I

For short notes, these are the important sections in paper I:

Sociology - The Discipline

Scientific Study of Social Phenomena

Techniques of data collection and analysis

Economic System

Political System

Educational System

Science & Technology

To prepare for the long questions in paper I, students are required to thoroughly prepare Pioneering contributions to Sociology. This includes

Karl Marx: Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation and class struggle.

Emile Durham: Division of labour, social fact, religion and society.

Max Weber: Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.

Talcott Parsons: Social system, pattern variables.

Robert K Merton: Latent and manifest functions, anomie, conformity and deviance, reference groups.

While revising Pioneering contributions to Sociology', students need to focus on areas like socio-economic and political background, views of thinkers, their analysis, contemporary perspective and evolution. The section on `Pioneering contributions to Sociology' is the most important part of paper I. It helps to understand the theoretical inferences of paper II. So, if you are thorough with this section, it will be easier for candidates to get a gist of sections like Social Stratification, Economic System, Political System, Educational System, Social Movements and Social Change and Development.

Candidates are required to understand argumentative aspect of thinkers like Karl Marx, Emile Durham, Max Weber, Talcott Parsons, Robert K Merton, with an eye to use their arguments in other sections of paper I. The theoretical inference of these thinkers need to be carried forward in paper II wherever required.

For long questions, students need to focus on topics such as Pioneering Contributions to Sociology, Marriage and Family, Social Stratification and Mobility, Political System, Social Movements and Social Change and Development. Students who can thoroughly focus on these sections are expected to answer 70% of queries in paper I. They should, however, have an overall view of the paper with focus on emerging trends like education, religion and economic developments.

Paper II

While preparing for this paper, students should ensure that they should not confine their preparation in terms of different sections. They need to focus on interrelation between different topics. Students need to have an analytical eye with focus on continuity and change. Like, despite so many changes, why caste system is still prevalent in our country. Or, despite the break-up of the joint family system, the mentality of joint family still exists among Indians.

For short notes, the important sections are:

Historical Moorings of the Indian Society

Class Structure

Marriage, Family and Kinship

Education

Political System

Population Dynamics

Social Movements

Social Problems

For long questions, the important sections are:

Caste System

Class Structure

Agrarian Social Structure

Industry and Society

Political Processes

Tribal Societies

Social Change

Social Movements

Women and Society

Apart from these, students need to keep an eye on sections like Caste System, Agrarian Social Structure and Tribal Societies. You can always have short or long questions from these three sections. Paper II actually works like mathematics and it is a high-scoring paper.

There are many topics in paper II which seem to be essay-type. But in Sociology, they need to be approached through sociological perspectives. Suppose you are asked a question on poverty, this can have theoretical inferences. You need to give empirical or sociological or case studies examples to analyse the topics.

Writing Short notes

You need to directly start answering the question. Avoid flowery language with an eye on all perspectives while answering the question

Long questions

Perspectives which have been asked needs to be kept in view while answering the question. Theoretical dimension are to be substantiated with analysis.

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