Sociology PYQ | UPSC Sociology GS 1

2026

Section b · 1. · Paper Q1(b) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically examine the position of women in the informal economy.

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Section d · 2. · Paper Q1(d) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Although sociology, as a subject of study, overarches all disciplines in social sciences yet it maintains its distinctiveness. Comment.

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Section c · 3. · Paper Q2(c) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

"Data without theory is blind and theory without data is empty." Comment

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Section b · 4. · Paper Q3(b) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

Is 'interpretativism' more effective than 'positivism' in analysing social reality? Discuss

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Section b · 5. · Paper Q4(b) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

Evaluate the socio-economic impacts of migration on rural households

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Section c · 6. · Paper Q4(c) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

"The methods of natural sciences are inadequate in understanding the complex social phenomena." Discuss

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Section a · 7. · Paper Q5(a) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

The major challenge for sociology researchers is to analyze social reality objectively. Critically analyze.

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Section b · 8. · Paper Q5(b) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain the concept of "definition of the situation" and its significance in sociology.

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Section c · 9. · Paper Q5(c) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

In what way can the concept of 'patriarchal bargain' be applied to the institution of marriage? Comment.

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Section a · 10. · Paper Q6(a) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss the intellectual origins of sociology and its evolution as a distinct field of study

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Section b · 11. · Paper Q6(b) · 2026 · 20 marks · Solution

Critically analyse the nature-nurture debate from different perspectives

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Section c · 12. · Paper Q8(c) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the significance and limitations of 'intersectionality' in social research

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2025

Section a · 13. · Paper Q1(a) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

What is common sense? How are common knowledge and sociology related to each other? Explain.

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Section c · 14. · Paper Q4(c) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically analyze the sociological significance of informal sector in the economy of developing societies

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Section a · 15. · Paper Q5(a) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

In what way is the scope of sociology unique? Explain.

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Section c · 16. · Paper Q5(c) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

Do you think that the formal workspaces are free of gender bias? Argue your case.

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Section a · 17. · Paper Q6(a) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

What is science? Do you think that the methods used in natural sciences can be applied to sociology? Give reasons for your answer

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Section a · 18. · Paper Q8(a) · 2025 · 20 marks · Solution

What do you understand by sustainable development? Discuss the elements of sustainable development as proposed in the UNDP's Sustainable Development Goals Report-2015

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Section c · 19. · Paper Q8(c) · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

In what way does queer kinship challenge the traditional kinship system? Substantiate by giving illustrations

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2024

Section a · 20. · Paper Q1(a) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the nature of Sociology. Highlight its relationship with Social Anthropology.

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Section b · 21. · Paper Q1(b) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Analyse the changing nature of caste as a status group.

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Section c · 22. · Paper Q1(c) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Marriage as an institution has undergone a radical transformation from 'ritual' to 'commercial' in its outlook. Explain the factors behind this change.

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Section a · 23. · Paper Q2(a) · 2024 · 20 marks · Solution

Sociology is the product of European enlightenment and renaissance. Critically examine this statement

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Section a · 24. · Paper Q3(a) · 2024 · 20 marks · Solution

How do you view and assess the increasing trend of digital ethnography and the use of visual culture in sociological research?

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Section c · 25. · Paper Q4(c) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically assess the impact of technological advancement and automation on the nature of work and employment

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Section b · 26. · Paper Q5(b) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain G.H. Mead's idea of development of 'self' through the 'generalised other'.

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Section c · 27. · Paper Q6(c) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the concept of animism and differentiate it from naturism

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Section a · 28. · Paper Q7(a) · 2024 · 20 marks · Solution

Do modernization and secularization necessarily go together? Give your views

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Section a · 29. · Paper Q8(a) · 2024 · 20 marks · Solution

Modern families have not just become nuclear and neo-local, but also filiocentric. How do you explain this trend?

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2023

Section c · 30. · Paper Q1(c) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

How does the dramaturgical perspective enable our understanding of everyday life?

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Section d · 31. · Paper Q1(d) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Is reference group theory a universally applicable model? Elucidate

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Section a · 32. · Paper Q2(a) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

What, according to Robert Michels, is the iron law of oligarchy? Do lions folly and foxes in Vilfredo Pareto's theory, essentially differ from each other? Substantiate

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Section b · 33. · Paper Q3(b) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

How do you assess the changing patterns in kinship relations in societies today?

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Section a · 34. · Paper Q4(a) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

Do you think that common sense is the starting point of social research? What are its advantages and limitations? Explain

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Section c · 35. · Paper Q4(c) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Highlight the differences and similarities between totemism and animism

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Section a · 36. · Paper Q5(a) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Examine the relevance of corporate social responsibility in a world marked by increasing environmental crises

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Section d · 37. · Paper Q5(d) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Analyze critically David Morgan's views on family practices

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Section e · 38. · Paper Q5(e) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Does women's education help to eradicate patriarchal discriminations? Reflect with illustrations

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Section a · 39. · Paper Q6(a) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

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

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Section c · 40. · Paper Q6(c) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the ethical issues that a researcher faces in making use of participant observation as a method of collecting data? Explain

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Section a · 41. · Paper Q7(a) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

Explain how economic globalization has brought changes in the patterns of employment in the 21st century

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Section b · 42. · Paper Q7(b) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? Argue your case

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Section c · 43. · Paper Q7(c) · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Assess critically A. G. Frank's theory of development of underdevelopment'

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Section a · 44. · Paper Q8(a) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

What is Taylorism? Analyze its merits and demerits

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Section b · 45. · Paper Q8(b) · 2023 · 20 marks · Solution

What are new religious movements? Elaborate emphasizing their forms and orientations

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2022

Section a · 46. · Paper Q1(a) · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Delimit the scope of sociology in relation to other social sciences.

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Section d · 47. · Paper Q1(d) · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Durkhiem argued that society is more than the sum of individual acts. Discuss.

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Section a · 48. · Paper Q2(a) · 2022 · 20 marks · Solution

What aspects of Enlightenment do you think paved way for the emergence of sociology ? Elaborate.

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Section a · 49. · Paper Q3(a) · 2022 · 20 marks · Solution

What are the shortfalls of positivist philosophy that gave rise to the non-positivist methods of studying social reality ?

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Section c · 50. · Paper Q3(c) · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Suggest measures to minimize the influence of the researchers in process of collecting data through focus group discussion.

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Section b · 51. · Paper Q5(b) · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss various theoretical perspectives on family.

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Section c · 52. · Paper Q5(c) · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain the implications of feminization of work in the developing societies.

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Section d · 53. · Paper Q5(d) · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Write a note on global trends of secularization.

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Section c · 54. · Paper Q6(c) · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

How do little tradition and great tradition coexist in contemporary Indian society ?

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2021

Section a · 55. · Paper Q1(a) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Europe was the first and the only place where modernity emerged. Comment

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Section b · 56. · Paper Q1(b) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Do you think ethnomethodology helps us in getting reliable and valid data ? Justify your answer

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Section c · 57. · Paper Q1(c) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the challenges involved in collecting data through census method

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Section a · 58. · Paper Q2(a) · 2021 · 20 marks · Solution

From the viewpoint of growing importance of multidisciplinarity, how do you relate sociology to other social sciences ?

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Section b · 59. · Paper Q2(b) · 2021 · 20 marks · Solution

How far are sociologists justified in using positivist approach to understand social reality ? Explain with suitable illustrations

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Section c · 60. · Paper Q2(c) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

How is sociology related to common sense ?

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Section c · 61. · Paper Q3(c) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Do you agree with Max Weber's idea that bureaucracy has the potential to become an iron cage ? Justify your answer

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Section b · 62. · Paper Q5(b) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically examine the relevance of Vilfredo Pareto's theory of Circulation of Elites in the present scenario

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Section c · 63. · Paper Q5(c) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Critically compare the views of E.B. Tylor and Max Muller on Religion

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Section d · 64. · Paper Q5(d) · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

What is cult ? Explain the growth of cults in the contemporary world

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Section a · 65. · Paper Q6(a) · 2021 · 20 marks · Solution

Elucidate the main problems and challenges faced by the migrant labourers in the recent 'Lockdown period'

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Section c · 66. · Paper Q7(c) · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain the growing salience of ethnicity in the contemporary world with illustrations.

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2020

Section a · 67. · Paper Q1(a) · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

How did the intellectual forces lead to the emergence of sociology ?Discuss.

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Section b · 68. · Paper Q4(b) · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

According to Durkheim, "The major function of education is the transmission of society's norms and values." Discuss.

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Section a · 69. · Paper Q5(a) · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

In the context of globalisation, has the scope of sociology been changing India ? Comment.

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Section c · 70. · Paper Q5(c) · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the problems in observing social facts in Durkheim's views?

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Section e · 71. · Paper Q5(e) · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

Does the institution of marriage continue to be sacred in Indian society? Comments.

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Section b · 72. · Paper Q6(b) · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

According to Mills, "Elites rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms." Comment.

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Section c · 73. · Paper Q7(c) · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

Critically assess the Marxian theory of 'Alienation'."

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2019

Section a · 74. · Paper Q1(a) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the historical antecedents of the emergence of Sociology as a discipline

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Section c · 75. · Paper Q1(c) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

What is the Marxist concept of 'fetishism of commodities'?

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Section e · 76. · Paper Q1(e) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain the probability sampling strategies with examples

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Section a · 77. · Paper Q2(a) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

According to Mead, "We play a key role in our own socialization."

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Section b · 78. · Paper Q2(b) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

Bring out the significance of Ethnography in social research

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Section c · 79. · Paper Q2(c) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

What is 'reserve army of labour' ? Present the position of feminist scholars on this

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Section a · 80. · Paper Q3(a) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss the importance of interpretative understanding of social phenomena and explain its limitations

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Section b · 81. · Paper Q3(b) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

Are all world religions patriarchal ? Substantiate your answer with examples

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Section c · 82. · Paper Q4(c) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

What, according to Irawati Karve, are the Major difference between North Indian and South Indian Kinship system?

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Section a · 83. · Paper Q5(a) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Differentiate between 'Life-chances' and 'Life-style' with suitable examples

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Section b · 84. · Paper Q5(b) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the issues of access and exclusion in higher education in India

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Section d · 85. · Paper Q5(d) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Critique A.G. Frank's 'development of underdevelopment'

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Section b · 86. · Paper Q6(b) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

What are the theoretical models of societal power ? Which one of them is most applicable in advanced industrial societies ?

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Section c · 87. · Paper Q6(c) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

What is affirmative action ? Substantiate theoretical positions on affirmative actions with example

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Section b · 88. · Paper Q7(b) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

Feminist scholars argue that 'New media' is masculine and hence reinforces structural hierarchies rather than reconfiguring them. Comment

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Section c · 89. · Paper Q7(c) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the concept of circulation of elite

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Section b · 90. · Paper Q8(b) · 2019 · 20 marks · Solution

How, according to Merton, are deviant subcultures generated ?

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Section c · 91. · Paper Q8(c) · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

How is terrorism a new form of asymmetrical warfare ? What are some of the challenges in trying to win the war on terrorism ?

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2018

Section a · 92. · Paper Q1(a) · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

The focal point of sociology rests on interaction. How do you distinguish it from common sense?

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Section c · 93. · Paper Q1(c) · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Do you think T and Me are central terms in Mead's work

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Section a · 94. · Paper Q3(a) · 2018 · 20 marks · Solution

Does the collapse of functionalism and bankruptcy of Marxism coincide with the rupture of modernity? Discuss.

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Section b · 95. · Paper Q3(b) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Define patriarchy. How does patriarchy manifest in interpersonal relations?

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Section a · 96. · Paper Q4(a) · 2018 · 20 marks · Solution

According to Marx, how are human beings alienated from their human potential and what does he suggest to change this?

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Section a · 97. · Paper Q5(a) · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Is the theory of cultural lag valid in present times? Discuss

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Section c · 98. · Paper Q6(c) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain with examples, the explanatory and exploratory designs of social research.

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Section c · 99. · Paper Q7(c) · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

What, according to Pareto, are the basic characteristics of elites? Discuss.

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2017

Section a · 100. · Paper Q1(a) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain how sociology has emerged as a distinct discipline based on rationality and scientific tamper

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Section e · 101. · Paper Q1(e) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Can we equate 'poverty' with 'poor living' ? Elaborate your answer

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Section a · 102. · Paper Q2(a) · 2017 · 20 marks · Solution

Discuss the changing equation of discipline of sociology with other social sciences

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Section b · 103. · Paper Q2(b) · 2017 · 20 marks · Solution

Examine the basic postulates of positivism and post-positivism

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Section c · 104. · Paper Q2(c) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Elaborate the main tenets of interpretative perspective in sociology

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Section c · 105. · Paper Q7(c) · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Problematize the concept if secularism in the present context

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2016

Section c · 106. · Paper Q2(c) · 2016 · 15 marks · Solution

Is sociology common sense? Give reasons in support of your argument.

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Section b · 107. · Paper Q4(b) · 2016 · 15 marks · Solution

"Participant observation is the most effective tool for collecting facts." Comment.

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Section d · 108. · Paper Q5(d) · 2016 · 10 marks · Solution

To what extent is patriarchy a cause for the problems of women? Discuss

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Section b · 109. · Paper Q8(b) · 2016 · 15 marks · Solution

How is Durkheim's theory of religion different from Max Weber's theory of religion?

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2015

Section d · 110. · Paper Q1(d) · 2015 · 10 marks · Solution

Which concepts did Weber use to analyse the forms of legitimate domination?

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Section c · 111. · Paper Q3(c) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

How had Enlightenment contributed to the emergence of sociology?

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Section b · 112. · Paper Q4(b) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

How is social equilibrium maintained in Parsonian framework?

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Section a · 113. · Paper Q7(a) · 2015 · 20 marks · Solution

Define Secularisation. What are its major dimensions in the modern world?

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Section b · 114. · Paper Q8(b) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

Examine the dialectical relation between tradition and modernity in the study of social change.

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Section c · 115. · Paper Q8(c) · 2015 · 15 marks · Solution

Elaborate the views of Durkheim on "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life"

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