Master s Degree Programme in Sociology Second Year M.A. Sociology MSO Assignment for students admitted in July 2015 and January 2016 Sessions Assignment for the Elective Courses MSOE-001 : Sociology of Education MSOE-002 : Diaspora and Transnational Communities MSOE-003 : Sociology of Religion MSOE-004 : Urban Sociology MPS-003 : India: Democracy and Development MPA-016 : Decentralization and Local Governance FACULTY OF SOCIOLOGY SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI-110068
Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSOE-001, 002, 003, 004, MPS-003, MPA-016/AST/TMA/2015-2016 Dear Student ASSIGNMENTS We have explained in the Programme Guide for the Master s Degree Programme in Sociology (MA Sociology) that you would have to complete one Tutor Marked Assignment TMAs) for each of the courses. In these assignments, we have included several types of questions to sharpen your ability, to describe, to analyse and to critique, and to ensure that you know and are able to write over a topic systematically and coherently. In these assignments there are some broad descriptive and analytical questions. There are 10 questions in each assignment, with two sections. In each section there are five questions. Your answers for a broad question worth 20 marks should be within the approximate range of 500 words each. In case of short question worth 10 marks it should be within 250 words each. It could be advisable to have a group discussion on the questions with your co-learners and the Academic Counsellors in the Study Centres before you attempt these assignments. Remember you are encouraged only to share each other s ideas and not to copy answers at all. Group discussion and constant practice of writing answers to assignment questions will help you to write better answers to questions in the term-end examination. It is important that you write answers to all questions in your own words. Admission Cycle Date of Submission To be sent For students admitted in July 2015 Batch For students admitted in January 2016 Batch 31 st March, 2016 To, The Coordinator of the Study 30 th September, 2016 Centre allotted to you You must obtain a receipt from the Study Centre for the assignments submitted and retain it. If possible, keep a xerox copy of the assignments with you. The Study Centre will have to return the assignments to you after they are evaluated. Please insist on this. The Study Centre has to send the marks to the SR&E Division at IGNOU, New Delhi. Some Tips for Doing Assignments You will find it useful to keep the following points in mind while doing the assignments: 1) Planning: Read the assignments carefully. Go through the units on which they are based. Make some points regarding each question and then rearrange them in a logical order. 2) Organization: Be selective and analytical before drawing up a rough outline of your answer. Give adequate attention to the introduction and conclusion. 3) Presentation: Once you are satisfied with your answer, you can write down the final version for submission. Write each answer neatly and underling each points you with to emphasize. Make sure that the answer is within the stipulated word limit. Wishing you all the best Programme Coordinator Faculty of Sociology School of Social Sciences IGNOU, New Delhi 110 068 2
Indira Gandhi National Open University Elective Course in M.A. Sociology MSOE-001: Sociology of Education Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) Maximum Marks: 100 Weightage: 30% Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSOE-001 Assignment Code: MSOE-001/AST/TMA/2015-16 Answer five questions worth 100 marks from Sections 1 and 2. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Section -1 Answer at least two questions in about 500 words each from this section. Marks 1 Critically examine the policy of positive discrimination and affirmative action in the context of higher education in India. 20 2. Do schools provide equality of educational opportunity to children of different sections of society? Discuss. 20 3. Do you agree that education facilitates social change? Discuss. 20 4. Explain the role of education in nation-building in India. 20 5 Critically discuss the contribution of Basil Bernstein to the theory of education. 20 Section -2 Answer at least two questions in about 500 words each from this section. 6 Explain the need for engagement of the private sector in professional education in India. 20 7 Explain the role of technology in developing self learning material in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of education. 20 8 What is knowledge economy? Explain the role of education in knowledge economy. 20 9 Discuss the critical concerns of educational reforms in SAARC countries. 20 10 Write short notes the following: 10+10 a) Commodification of education. b) General Agreement in Trade in Services and Education (GATS) and Education. 3
Indira Gandhi National Open University Elective Course in M.A. Sociology MSOE-002: Diaspora and Transnational Communities Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) Maximum Marks: 100 Weightage: 30% Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSOE-002 Assignment Code: MSOE-002/AST/TMA/2015-16 Answer any five question selecting at least two from each Section. Your answer should be in about 500 words each. Section-1 Marks 1. Describe the migration patterns of Indian Diasporain post-colonial India. 20 2. How is the Indian Diaspora in North America different from that the UK? Discuss. 20 3. Critically examine some of the approaches to the study of Indian Diaspora. 20 4. Discuss the nature of Indian Diaspora in the gulf region of West Asia. 20 Section-II 5. In what way are links between India and abroad established and strengthened? Discuss. 20 6. Critically examine Indian State policies towards the migrants and diaspora? 20 7. Examine the significance of Bollywood for the Indian Diaspora. 20 8. What do you understand by the term transnationalism? Discuss 20 4
Indira Gandhi National Open University Elective Course in M.A. Sociology MSOE-003: Sociology of Religion Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA-1) Maximum Marks: 100 Weightage: 30% Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSOE-003 Assignment Code: MSOE-003/AST/TMA/2015-16 Answer any five question in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks. Section-1 Marks 1. Describe and compare the historical and comparative approaches to the study of religion. 20 2. Outline the Marxian approach to religion. 20 3. Describe Durkheim s understanding of totemism. 20 4. Discuss Weber s central thesis on religion and economy. 20 5. Elucidate the concepts of sin and sacrifice among the Nuer. 20 Section-II 6. Discuss the phenomenological approach to religion as outlined by Peter Berger. 20 7. Describe religion as a set of symbols. 20 8. Compare and contrast Jainism and Buddhism. 20 9. What is secularization? Illustrate with examples. 20 10. Discuss the nexus between politics, religion and education. 20 5
Indira Gandhi National Open University Elective Course in M.A. Sociology MSOE-004: Urban Sociology Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) Maximum Marks: 100 Weightage: 30% Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSOE-004 Assignment Code: MSOE-004/AST/TMA/2015-16 Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks. Section-1 Marks 1. Define the concept of urban and describe the socio-historical background of urbanization in India 20 2. Define and distinguish between city metropolis and megalopolis with suitable examples. 20 3. Discuss the major features of a colonial city with suitable examples. 20 4. Compare and contrast a modern industrial city with a pre-industrial city in India 20 5. Describe and discuss the major contributions of the Chicago School theorists in the field of urban sociology. 20 Section-II 6. Discuss the major characteristics of traditional and modern neighborhoods. 20 7. Analyse the impact of city life on rural societies. Does it change their social structure. Discuss? 20 8. Explain the impact of economic reforms on the formal employment sector in India. 20 9. Is globalization related with poverty in India? Discuss with suitable examples. 20 10. Does media play an important role in Indian economic growth? Explain. 20 6
INDIA: DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (MPS-003) TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT Course Code: MPS-003 Assignment Code: MPS-003/Asst/TMA/2015-16 Marks: 100 Answer five questions in all, selecting at least two questions from each section. Each question is to be answered in about 500 words. Each question carries 20 marks. SECTION-I 1. Explain the evolution of political democracy and economic development in India during 1947-67. 2. Critically examine the following in about 250 words each: a) The idea of planning b) The Karachi resolution 3. How does social inequality affect politics and developmental policies in India? Explain. 4. Discuss the working of federal system in India. 5. Write an essay on the ethnic politics in north-east India. SECTION-II 6. Comment on the following in about 250 words each: a) Media and public opinion b) Significance of elections in Indian democracy 7. Comment on the following in about 250 words each. a) Language and politics in India b) The basis of regionalism in India 8. Enumerate the similarities and differences between substantive and procedural types of democracy. 9. Comment on the following in about 250 words each: a) Development and gender b) Role of civil society in Indian democracy 10. Discuss the features of farmers movements in contemporary India. 7
MPA-016: DECENTRALISATION AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE (Tutor Marked Assignment) Course Code: MPA-016 Assignment Code: MPA-016/Asst/TMA/2015-2016 Marks: 100 This Assignment consists of Section - I and Section - II. There are five questions in each section. You have to answer a total of five questions in about 500 words each, selecting at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks. SECTION-I 1) Explain the socio-economic components of decentralization and highlight the measures to Strengthen them. 2) Describe the significance of democratic decentralization in India. 3) Examine the operational framework of empowerment and highlight measures to ensure an effective empowerment. 4) Bhagidari, a programme of Government-Citizen Partnership, can be termed as a model of good governance. Discuss. 5) Write short notes on the following in 250 words each: a) Impact of decentralized development on bureaucracy. b) The Principle of Balance. SECTION-II 6) The 74 th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, empowers the municipalities to function as an effective institution of self-governance. Examine. 7) Describe the structure, power and functions of Panchayati Raj Institutions. 8) What are the basic constraints in micro-level planning? 9) Explain the significance of capacity building at the local level. 10) Write short notes on the following in 250 words each: a) Institutional capacity building of Grassroot functionaries. b) People s aspirations towards local Governance. 8