IGNOU MSO 004 Important Questions With Answers English Medium
MSO 004, titled "Sociology in India," is a course
offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as part of their
Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology program. This course specifically delves into
the intricacies of Indian society through a sociological lens, examining its
institutions, social processes, and dynamics.
Course
Structure:
- Block 1: Emergence of Sociology in India: Tracing the historical roots of sociology in the Indian context.
- Block 2: Perspectives on Caste: Understanding the complexities of the caste system and its impact on Indian society.
- Block 3: Perspective on Family, Marriage and Kinship: Examining the evolving nature of family structures, marriage practices, and kinship networks in India.
- Block 4: Perspective on Class, Caste and Gender: Analyzing the interplay of class, caste, and gender in shaping social inequalities and opportunities in India.
- Block 5: Perspective on Tribes in India: Exploring the unique challenges and experiences faced by tribal communities in India.
- Block 6: Perspective on Religion: Examining the diverse religious landscape of India and its role in shaping social life.
- Block 7: Dynamics of Social Processes: Analyzing key social processes such as migration, urbanization, and globalization in the Indian context.
- Block 8: Perspective on Social Movements: Studying the rise and impact of social movements in India.
Q.1
Critically examine major approaches of western scholars to understand Indian
culture and society.
Western scholars have undertaken diverse approaches to comprehend Indian culture and society, reflecting a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts. These methodologies have evolved over time, encompassing Orientalism, structural-functionalism, postcolonial studies, and cultural studies.
IGNOU MSO 004 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-Each approach offers a unique perspective, contributing
to a more profound understanding of India while simultaneously prompting
critical questions about the lenses through which the West has historically
perceived this intricate and diverse society.
One of the earliest frameworks was Orientalism, shaped by European scholars during the colonial era. Figures like Sir William Jones and Max Müller sought to study and interpret Indian culture, literature, and philosophy.
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While their work made significant contributions to translating and
preserving ancient Indian texts, Orientalism was not without its biases.
Scholars such as Edward Said have critiqued it for perpetuating Eurocentrism,
creating a binary between the 'Orient' and the 'Occident,' and reinforcing
stereotypes that positioned the West as intellectually superior.
In the mid-20th century, structural-functionalism, a
sociological perspective, found its way into the examination of Indian society.
Scholars like Louis Dumont and M.N. Srinivas applied this framework to analyze
the caste system, kinship, and social structure in India. Dumont's "Homo
Hierarchicus" delved into the hierarchical nature of Indian society,
emphasizing the role of purity and pollution in shaping social relations. While
structural-functionalism provided insights into the functioning of social
institutions, it faced criticism for oversimplifying the complexities of Indian
society and neglecting historical and contextual factors.
IGNOU MSO 004 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-Responding to the limitations of structural-functionalism,
postcolonial scholars emerged, providing a more critical lens for understanding
India. Figures like Gayatri Spivak and Homi Bhabha sought to deconstruct
colonial narratives and scrutinize the power dynamics inherent in Western
representations of the 'Other.' Bhabha's concept of hybridity challenged
essentialist notions of culture, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between
colonial and indigenous influences. Postcolonial studies highlighted how
Western knowledge production about India was entangled with imperialist
motives, necessitating the adoption of decolonizing methodologies in the study
of Indian culture and society.
Cultural studies further broadened the scope of inquiry into
Indian culture, emphasizing everyday practices, popular culture, and subaltern
voices. Scholars like Stuart Hall and Arjun Appadurai explored how culture is
produced, consumed, and contested. Appadurai's concept of "scapes"
underscored the global flows of media, technology, and capital, contributing to
a more dynamic understanding of how culture in India is shaped by both local
and global forces. Cultural studies facilitated a departure from static and
essentialist notions of Indian identity, recognizing the fluid and contested
nature of culture in a rapidly changing world.
However, these approaches are not without their critiques.
Postcolonial scholars have faced criticism for their emphasis on discourse and
representation, sometimes neglecting material realities and power structures
within Indian society. Cultural studies, while highlighting the agency of
subaltern groups, has been accused of overlooking economic and political
dimensions. Moreover, some argue that these Western approaches may
unintentionally perpetuate a form of intellectual imperialism by defining the
terms and frameworks through which Indian culture and society are understood.
IGNOU MSO 004 Important Questions With Answers English Medium-In recent years, there has been a growing acknowledgment of
the importance of incorporating indigenous perspectives and voices into the
study of Indian culture and society. Scholars like Anupama Rao and Satish
Deshpande have advocated for a more dialogical and collaborative approach that
acknowledges the agency and knowledge production of Indian scholars. This shift
reflects a broader trend in academia towards decolonizing methodologies and
recognizing the diversity of voices and experiences within the regions being
studied.
Q.2
“Caste, class and gender are the three pillars of Indian social structure.”
Discuss.
Q.3
Write a critique of the Brahminical inter- pretation of caste system of India.
Q.4
. Elucidate field and text views on the family structures of India with
suitable illustrations.
Q.5
Discuss the various norms regulating marriage system in India.
Q.6
Discuss the various challenges encountered by the tribal commons in India.
Q.7
Discuss the various challenges encountered by the tribal commons in India.
Q.8
Comparatively analyse major sociological approaches to study religion in India.
Q.9
Examine the interrelationship between globalisation, culture and identity in
contemporary India.
Q.10
Discuss the emerging features of peasant movements in India.
Q.11
Explain the concept of 'cultural reproduction. In what way does education
contribute to cultural reproduction in society ?
Q.12
Explain the major differences between 'restricted code' and 'elaborate code'.
Substantiate your answer with suitable examples.
Q.13
Examine the role of education in building national identity and citizenship.
Q.14
In what way does family contribute to children's performance in school ?
Q.15
What do you understand by 'quality assurance' ? Explain its importance in area
of distance education.
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