MSO

Master’s Degree Programme

in Sociology
Second Year
M.A. Sociology

Assignment
For July 2017 and January 2018 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/2017-2018

ASSIGNMENTS
Dear Student

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 31st March, 2018 To,

2017 Batch The Coordinator of the Study Centre
For students admitted in 30th September, 2018 allotted to you
January 2018 Batch

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 Programme Code: MSO
Weightage: 30% Course Code: MSOE-001
Assignment Code: MSOE-001/AST/TMA/2017-18

Answer five questions worth 100 marks from Sections 1 and 2. Attempt at least two questions
from each section.

SECTION - I

Answer at least two questions in about 500 words each from this section. Marks

1 Does education reflect political interests of the ruling regime? Critically discuss. 20

2 Discuss Pierre Bourdieu’s perspective on education with special reference to social capital. 20

3 In what way does education contribute to social change? Discuss. 20

4 Compare the functionalist and conflict approaches to the study of education. 20

5 Does education lead to empowerment of the marginalized? Discuss. 20

SECTION - II

Answer at least two questions in about 500 words each from this section.

6 Critically examine state initiatives(s) towards achieving the goal of ‘education for all’. 20

7 Discuss the contribution of private sector in expansion of professional education. 20

8 What do you understand by ‘commodification of education’? Critically discuss the social

implications of commodification of education. 20

9 Discuss the major challenges in higher education in India. 20

10 What are the main objectives of ‘open and distance education’. Explain the role of
technology in achieving them. 20

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 Programme Code: MSO

Weightage: 30% Course Code: MSOE-002
Assignment Code: MSOE-002/AST/TMA/2017-18

Answer any five questions selecting at least two from each Section. Your answer should be in
about 500 words each.
Marks
SECTION - I

1. Describe the migration patterns of Indian Diaspora in post-independent India. 20

2. Elaborate on the nature of Indian diaspora in West Asia 20

3. Write a note on “brain drain” and its implications for Indian society. 20

4. Elucidate the profile of Indian diaspora in the United States? 20

SECTION - II
5. In what way is the contribution of diaspora finances influencing development activity in
India? 20

6. How has Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) helped the formation of
diasporic communities? Illustrate with suitable examples. 20

7. Examine the significance of literature for Indian diasporic communities. 20

8. Bring out the relationship between nation-state and Indian diasporic identity. 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 Programme Code: MSO

Weightage: 30% Course Code: MSOE-003
Assignment Code: MSOE-003/AST/TMA/2017-18

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each
section. All questions carry equal marks.
Marks
SECTION - I

1. Critically discuss the relationship between religion, magic and science. 20

2. Explain the role of priests and prophets in Nuer religion. 20

3. Does religious ethic contribute to the rise of capitalism? Discuss with reference to Max
Weber’s writings. 20

4. Discuss the functionalist approach to the understanding of religion. 20

5. Explain religion as a cultural system. 20

SECTION - II

Answer at least two questions in about 500 words each from this section.

6 Explain the concept of secularism. Discuss its relevance in society. 20

7. Discuss Peter Berger’s contribution to the understanding of religion. 20

8. What does T N Madan mean by ‘non-renunciation’? Discuss with suitable illustrations. 20

9. Examine the social context of the emergence of Buddhism. 20

10. Explain the extrinsic model of religious conversion. 20

5
 Indira Gandhi National Open University
Elective Course in M.A. Sociology
MSOE-004: Urban Sociology
Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)

Maximum Marks: 100 Programme Code: MSO

Weightage: 30% Course Code: MSOE-004
Assignment Code: MSOE-004/AST/TMA/2017-18

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each
section. All questions carry equal marks.

Marks
SECTION - I
1. Define the concept of “urban” and describe the patterns of urban growth in India with
suitable illustrations. 20

2. Describe the nature of different cities in India with special reference to the mega cities. 20

3. Critically discuss the ecological approach to understand cities. 20

4. What are pre industrial cities? Discuss with example. 20

5. Discuss with examples, the historical comparative approach towards understanding of

urban society in India. 20

SECTION - II

6. Discuss the impact of urbanisation on the structure and functions of family in India. 20
7. How does the urban impact the rural society in India? Discuss with examples 20

8. Describe the nature and condition of unorganised labour in India with a suitable example. 20

9. Define the term ‘slum’. What are its essential features? 20

10. Write short notes on any two of the following: 10+10

a) Urban governance
b) Urban planning
c) Urban poverty
d) Rural urban transition in India

6
 INDIA: DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT (MPS-003)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT

Course Code: MPS-003

Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2017-18
Marks: 100

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each
section. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTION - I
Marks

1. Discuss how democracy and development are related to each other. 20

2. Critically examine the following in about 250 words each: 20

a) The Directive Principles of State Policy

b) Meaning of poverty line

3. Critically analyse the functioning of parliamentary democracy in India. 20

4. Discuss the main challenges of ethnicity for the nation-state of India. 20

5. Analyse the contribution of political parties to the success of India’s democracy. 20

SECTION - II

6. Comment on the following in about 250 words each: 20

a) Gender and justice

b) Regionalism in Indian politics

7. Comment on the following in about 250 words each: 20

a) Inter-state cooperation
b) Internal migration in India

8. Analyse the role of NGOs in Indian democracy. 20

9. Comment on the following in about 250 words each: 20

a) Language and politics in India

b) Role of media in Indian democracy

10. Discuss the impact of the new economic policy on the Indian working class. 20

7
 MPA-016: DECENTRALISATION AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE
(Tutor Marked Assignment)

Course Code: MPA-016

Assignment Code: MPA-016/Asst/TMA/2017-2018
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. Discuss the evolution and significance of democratic decentralisation in India. 20

2. Examine the Constitutional dimensions of democratic decentralisation in India. 20

3. Examine the operational framework of empowerment and suggest measures for

effective empowerment. 20

4. ‘Bhagidari, a programme of Government-Citizen Partnership, can be termed as a

model of good governance’. Comment. 20

5. Examine the role of Panchayati Raj Institution (PRIs) as an Instrument of social

transformation. . 20
SECTION-II

6. Explain the significance of capacity building at the local level. 20

7. ‘The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, empowers the municipalities to function as
an effective institution of local self-governance’ Examine. 20

8. Write a note on modalities for people’s participation. 20

9. What are the basic constraints in micro-level planning? 20

10. Define sustainable development and explain its interlinkages with governance. 20