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STUDY PLAN – SOCIOLOGY

CSS - 2020

STUDY PLAN ACCORDING TO QUESTION ANALYSIS OF PAST PAPERS

I. General Sociology

1. Individual:

Sociability or the sociality of man.

2004 - Define ‘Status’. Discuss the factors which decide status of an individual in society.

2. Culture:

Meaning and Characteristics (Culture is variable, learnt, social, shared, transmissive,

dynamic and adaptive), types (Material, Non –material), functions (transfer of
knowledge, define situation, provide behaviour pattern, moulds personality) and
elements of culture (norms, values, beliefs, sanctions, customs).Culture and
Socialization; formal and non-formal socialization, transmission of culture, cultural
relativism. Sub-cultures. Ethnocentrism and xenocentrism, Cultural lag, High culture and
popular culture. Multiculturalism, assimilation, and acculturation.
Differentiate between Ethnocentrism and Xenocentrism with examples. Which one and how is
important in damaging the peace and development situation in Karachi? Discuss with logic and
evidence on the Issue.(2018)

What is the role of culture in socialization of an individual to become a useful member of a

society? Discuss what cultural patterns help to explain this phenomenon.(2017)

Culture is the essence of the worthwhile, but there is a clear menace to the very soul of the citizen
when culture becomes a tool in the hands of the regime of the day with which to transform the
outlook of the citizen. Comment.(2016)

2007 - Individual is product of society and culture. Different methods of socialization lead to a
variety of building norms and values in the personality of individuals. Discuss:

a) the relationship of individual, society and culture

b) different methods of socialization
c) the variation exemplified due to different methods of socialization in norms and values.

2005 - In your opinion what are the advantages of socialization? Is socialization process
applicable to the adults? Discuss it.
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2004 - Why is culture indispensable to human society and what part do norms and values
play in social life?
2001 - What is the role of culture in socialization of an individual to become a useful
member of society? Discuss with examples.

Area of Focus

What is Culture?

  Role of culture in life

  Cultural Values/Norms

  Cultural Change

 Sub-Cultures

 Differentiate b/w Successful (Complete) Socialization and Failed (Incomplete)

 Socialization.

  Method of Socialization

 Advantages & Disadvantages of Socialization

3. Society:

Meaning and characteristics. Community; meaning and characteristics. Individual and

society. Relationship between individual and society. Two main theories regarding the
relationship of man and society (i) the social contact theory and (ii) the organismic
theory. Social and cultural evolution of society (Hunting and Gathering Society, Herding
and Advance Herding Society, Horticultural Society, Agrarian Society, Industrial Society,
Post modern Society).
Make a comparative and analytical discussion on the Social Contract Theory and the Organismic
Theory while developing your thesis with a logical conclusion. (2018)

4. Social Interaction:

Caste and classes, Forms of social classes, Feudal system in Pakistan, Social Mobility-
nature of social mobility and its determinants in Pakistani society, Culture of poverty.
Why social stratification is an inevitable for a society? Explain its determinants in the context of
Pakistani society(2016)
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What is a social organization? Discuss how precepts about caste and social classes influence smooth
running of society.(2014)

Define and differentiate between caste and class. Discuss the dynamics of classes in the existing
feudal system. (2013)

2008 – What do you understand by Social Mobility? Do transfer of payments aid or discourage social
mobility?

2007 - Discuss the class structure of Pakistan society with special reference to:

the influence of the class structure at the time of independence

the determinants of social mobility

the feudal system

2001 - What are the systems of forms of Social Classes? Discuss the impact of Feudal System
in Pakistan.
Area of Focus

Social Stratification (Class System) in Pakistan

  Impacts of class system

Problems arising from class system and their solutions

What is Social Interaction?

 Types of Interaction

5. Social Control:

Mechanisms of social control-formal and informal means of social control, Anomie,

Alienation and social Integration-Means of social integration in Pakistani Society.
2001 - Discuss briefly the internal and external means of Social control with reference to Pakistani
Society.

6. Social and Cultural Change and Social Policy:

Processes of Social and Cultural Change-discovery, Inhibitions to social and cultural

change in Pakistan, Social planning and directed social and cultural change, Effect of
Industrialization, Urbanization, Modernization and Modern Means of Communication
on Social Change.
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How do you see the future of Pakistani society resulting from the effect of Industrialization,
Modernization, Urbanization and Modern means of communication upon social change processes?
Discuss with examples(2018)

How evolutionary theories of sociology provide a stimulating gesture to transform societies?

Compare and contrast the classical and neo-classical school of thoughts for understanding
phenomenon of social change(2017)

Discuss in brief the socio-cultural factors that may enhance and retard the process of social and
cultural change in societies.(2017)

Define the term “Social Change” and discuss it as a Social Process.(2015)

Discuss the burgeoning role of social media in Pakistan. Explain the importance of regulating the
mainstream electronic media towards the achievement of national goals. Illustrate your answer with
examples from Pakistan.(2014)

Discuss as to how the process of social and cultural change in Pakistan can be accelerated? Your
answer must include theoretically relevant factors in the rate of change. (2013)

Define culture invasion? Explain in detail the role of technological innovation and mass media in
the revolution of rising expectations and the disruption of traditional society of Pakistan(2012)

Discuss in detail the accelerating and decelerating factors of social change. How culture
ethnocentrism promotes social change and maintains social order.(2012)

Define the term “Social Change” and discuss the process of social change in group behavior.(2011)

2010 - Discuss the role of media in social and cultural change in Pakistan. What type of social
planning/policy is needed to direct this change in the context of our own social and cultural values?
Discuss with examples.

2009 – Define the term “Social Change”. How it occurs in a traditional society? Discuss it in detail.

2003 - What to you understand by diffusion of innovation? Taking Pakistani situation, are we in a
position to reach the stage of taking off economically?

2001 - What factors are related to social and cultural change? Give examples of Pakistan.

Area of Focus

What is Social Change?

  Difference between Social Change & Social Deviance

  Factors of Social Change/Deviance

 Types of Social Deviance/Deviance

What is Social Status?

  Types of Status
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 Deciding Factors of Social

 Status What is Social Control?

  Types of Social Control

  Method of Social Control

 Advantages & Disadvantages of Social Control

 

7. Public Opinion:

Formation of public opinion, concept of opinion leader, characteristics of opinion

leadership.

 Define the concepts of perception and reality. Discuss how perceptions of people are
manoeuvred to influence public opinion. Explain your answer with an example from
Pakistan.(2014)

8. Community:

The rural community, Traditional Characteristics of rural life, The urban community,
Rural – Urban convergence, Urbanism, Future of cities in Pakistan.
How do you see the future of major cities in Pakistan? Discussing by focusing on the issues of
water and foods security and the situation of terrorism and extremism with examples and data.(2018)

Define the term “Community” and discuss its important characteristics.(2015)

Discuss in detail “Urbanization as a Process.(2011)

2010 - Urbanization in Pakistan is increasing day by day. How do you look into the future of
major cities in Pakistan? Discuss in light of terror and security situation in these cities.

2009 – Define the term “Community” and discuss the important characteristics of a rural and
urban community.

2009 – Discuss migration as a Social Phenomenon.

2008 – Migration from rural to urban area is on the rise in Pakistan. Discuss all the positive and
negative points at the origin and destination keeping theory of migration into consideration.

2006 - Rural-Urban migration is causing labour-drain from rural communities. What problems
this situation is creating in the labour market of rural communities. As a subject scholar, what
solutions do you suggest to minimize these problems? Discuss with examples.

2006 - There is a thesis that “the development programmes/strategies to change the fate of poor farming
community in rural Pakistan are not based upon the evidence-based policy. Therefore, a failure, in this
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regard, is being faced for the last several decades.” How do you support this thesis? Make an evidence-
based argument in the light of different evaluation/assessments made for rural development in Pakistan.

2000 - What do you understand by the term Modernization? Discuss the important factors
associated with modernization of a society with special reference to Pakistani society.

Area of Focus

What is Community?

  Urban & Rural Communities

 Rural-Urban Transition

  Pros & Cons of Migration

 Problems arising due to Migration

 What is Modernization?

  Factors of Modernization

 Modernization in Pakistan


 , Future of cities in Pakistan

9. Social Institutions:

The nature and genesis of institutions, The process of institutionalization, Functions of

Social Institutions: Family, Religion, Education, Economy and Politics.
Discuss the structure and functions of Pakistani family with examples, keeping in view the
changes occurring. How do you see the future of Pakistani Family System? Make a research based
argument. (2018)

What is trained incapacity? Write two examples about two institutions in Pakistan where trained
incapacity is promoted and where empowerment is encouraged(2014)

What is a social organization? Discuss how precepts about caste and social classes influence smooth
running of society.(2014)

Discuss the nature and genesis of institutions alongwith the change taking place in Pakistani
family. (2013)

2010 - How do you perceive the future of family institution/system in Pakistan? Discuss with
examples especially keeping in view marriage, elderly and youth problems in the families.
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2006 - Define Social Institution. What is significance of family, religion, and education as
institutions in the process of socialization? Explain your answer with examples from Pakistani
society.

2005 - Differentiate between primary and secondary groups, and discuss the character of primary
relations.

2004 - Define social institution and how can religion hold in check the explosive social tensions
produced by inequality and injustice?

2002 - Discuss in detail how social institutions/organizations have been helpful in social and
economic development of society?

Area of Focus


 Frequency, Duration, Intensity (FDIF)
 What are Social Groups?

  Types of Social Groups

 Differences & Similarities between various types of Social Groups

 What are Social Institutions?

  Role of Social Institutions in Social & Economic Development.

 Role of Social Institutions in Ending Social Evils.


future of Pakistani Family System
trained incapacity
nature and genesis of Institution

10.Social Problems in Pakistan:

High population growth rate, Rural –urban migration. Issues of technical/vocational

training, Deviance and street crime, Unemployment, illiteracy and School drop out,
Smuggling, Prostitution, Poverty, Drug Addiction, Child Labour and Abuse, Bonded
Labour, Social customs and Traditions affecting Women in Pakistan, Violence Against
Women and Domestic Violence, Issues concerning the Elderly in Pakistan.
Youth is an asset of any nation but Pakistani youth is inclined towards youth bulge. What
strategies being an expert suggests the state to put the youth on positive track? Give your suggestions
in the light of sociological theories.(2016)

Discuss Migration as a Social Phenomenon.(2015)

Define the term “Social Problem” and discuss Crime as a Social Problem?(2015)
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Discuss attribution theories with special reference to media portrayals of social issues. Explain the
role of dispositional traits and situational factors for individual actions or decision taking.(2014)

Define urban sprawling. Explain in detail the socioeconomic impacts of peripheral areas on crime
rate of urban society of Pakistan. (2012)

Define the term “Social Problem” and discuss the causes of drug abuse in Pakistan.(2011)

Discuss the status of elderly people in Pakistani society.(2011)

2009 – Define the term ‘Social Problem’. Discuss smuggling as a social problem in a society.

2004 - How can you define poverty and what strategies the Government of Pakistan has adopted to
alleviate poverty and also discuss the role of NGOs to address the issue of poverty.

2004 - What are the social effects of deviance and do Crime-fighting programmes including
imprisonment work in Pakistan?

Area of Focus

  What is Social Problem?

  Some Prominent Social Problems (Evils)

 Poverty, Illiteracy, Child Labour, Women Harassment, Honour Killing, etc.

II. Sociological Theory:

Three sociological perspectives: Structural Functionalism, Symbolic interactions and

Conflict. Theorists: Ibn-i-Khaldun, Spencer, August Comte, Emile Dukheim, Max Weber,
Karl Marx, Parson.
Ibn-e-Khaldun but not August Comte is the founder of Sociology? Make your argument in
favour or against this thought with logic and examples from the historical development of sociology.
(2018)

Marx and Weber theorized that modern society alienated people. How do their approaches contrast
each other and how their concepts of alienation can be compared with Durkheim’s concept of
anomie?(2017)

Discuss the major contributions of Max Weber in understanding the society theoretically(2015)

Discuss in detail the Karl Marx’s “Theory of Labor”(2015)

Write a note in detail on “Evolutionary Theory” given by Ibn-i-Khaldun.(2015)

Is Max Weber more relevant than Durkheim in today’s globalizing world? Discuss with
reference to their theoretical contributions.(2013)
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Explain in detail the analysis of social conflict in capitalist society shown by the prominent
sociologist and economist Karl Marx(2012)

Define suicide and its type. Explain in detail the theory of anomy presented by Emile-
Durkheim. In what way the theory would be helpful in the solution of current involvement of
Pakistani youth in suicidal attempts. (2012)

Write a note in detail on “Evolutionary Theory” given by Ibn-i-Khaldun(2011)

Discuss in detail “Theory of Labour” given by Karl Marx.(2011)

2010 - Discuss critically the theories of Social Action and Bureaucracy presented by Max Weber.
How the theory of bureaucracy is relevant to situation in Pakistan? Discuss with logic and evidence
2009 – Karl Max “Theory of Labour” discuss in detail.
2009 – Discuss the major contributions of Max Weber in understanding the society theoretically.
2008 – Karl Marx has discussed labour theory of value in detail. What do you understand by
that theory? Write your answer in detail.
2007 - In the light of theoretical perspectives (Hegel, Marx, Coser, Mills) explain the true
nature of conflict. Discuss the various forms of pervasive conflict in Pakistani Society.
2007 - What major contributions were made by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber to the
understanding of society theoretically? How far the two theorists can be taken relevant today?
2006 - What is the role of C.W Mills in the development of Frankfurt school of conflict
society? Where and how he differs from his contemporaries? Discuss with evidence.
2005 - What are different theories about origin of society? Discuss them in detail.
2004 - What major contributions did Karl Marx and Ibn-i-Khaldun make to our understanding of
the social experience?
2003 - Durkheim wrote extensively on suicide. Critically examine his views about suicide.
2003 - Describe the idea philosophy of money as presented by George Simmel. How and in what
ways other scholars have presented their views to describe the idea of philosophy of money.
2002 - Max Weber is a strong advocate of bureaucratic form of government. Explain in detail
what lead Max Weber to write in favour of bureaucracy.
2002 - Division of labour has been discussed by various sociological theorists. Discuss in detail
the point of view taken about division of labour by Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim.
2001 - Ibne-Khaldoon is known as “Father of Sociology”. Briefly discuss his
contributions to sociology.

Area of Focus

Ibne-Khaldoon’s contribution in Sociology

Max Weber’s Contribution in Sociology especially ‘Theory of Labour’ & ‘Bureaucracy’.

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Emile Durkheim’s Contribution in Sociology, especially ‘Theory of Suicide’.

Karl Max “Theory Of Labor”

III. Methods of Sociological Research:

Scientific Method, Steps in research, Types of Questionnaire Research Design, Surveys,

Observation and Case Studies.
What are core elements which lead to develop rigorous research design in social research?(2017)

Which types of research by objective are commonly being used by NGOs and explain these types of
research with suitable examples(2016)

What is hypothesis? Develop a hypothesis and identify: (a) independent variable(s), (b) dependent
variable(s) and (c) mediating variable (if any).

Define ethnomethodology. Explain in detail Garfinkel views regarding ethnomethodology. How he

used ethnomethodology in the field of sociological research and inquiry?(2012)

Define the term “Social Research” and discuss the procedure “How to conduct a Research?(2011)

2010 - What is internal validity that influences social science research design? What are different
threats to internal validity? Discuss with examples.

2009 – Define the term Sociological Research and explain the important steps of conducting the
Social Research.

2008 – What type of survey research do you use to study young criminals? Defend the logic of
your choice in detail.
2007 - A research design is a roadmap for investigation. Discuss the major decisions a
researcher makes in designing a study. While discussing decision, identify a research problem
with reference to which the designing has been envisaged.
2006 - What is a research design? What type of research design can be used for studying the
problems of drug addiction/HIV/AIDS in Pakistani Society? Discuss with examples.
2005 - Discuss the importance of Social research for the study of Sociology. Explain the steps
to be taken in social Research Process.
2004 - Why is research essential to the scientific enterprise and what are the principal
theoretical methods available to Sociologists in the study of social life? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of each?
2003 - When is survey research appropriate? What type of survey research would you use to
study heroin users? Define the logic of your choice.
2002 - What do you understand by experimental method used in data collection? Explain why
some researchers preferred it over other data collection methods in social sciences and for kind
of studies experimental method is used by researchers.
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2001 - Discuss briefly the method of sociological research. Formulate three hypothesis
indicating variables of each.

Area of Focus

What is Social Research?

  Methods of Social Research.

  Steps in conducting Social Research.

  Importance of Social Research.

 Advantages and Disadvantages.

What is Research Design? Its types.

What is Research Survey?

Short Notes
Write short notes on the following:

(i) Research process in sociology (ii) Deviance and street crime in Pakistan(2018)

Write note on the following.

(a) Political economy of globalization

(b) Regional migration (2017)

Write comprehensive notes on the following social thought. (10 each)

(a) Law of three stages by Comte

(b) Suicide by Durkheim(2016)

Write short NOTES on the following:

(a) Education as a factor of development (b) Security as a social construct.(2014)

Write Comprehensive notes on any TWO of the following: (i) Marxist influence on sociological
theory (ii) Determinates of social mobility (iii) Institutionalized evasions (iv) Social Planning(2013)

Write short notes on any TWO of the following: (i) Culture diffusion and schools of thoughts on
culture diffusion. (ii) Role of mosques in the integration of Pakistani society. (iii) Changing
family pattern, its causes and consequences. (iv) The role of government and non-government
organisation in poverty alleviation of Pakistan. (2012)

Miscellaneous
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What key characteristics distinguish capitalism from socialism? Compare these two systems in
terms of productivity, economic inequality and personal freedom.(2017)

Discuss the application of Sociology in agriculture, health and industries with

examples.(2016)

Describe the major work of Robert king Merton in Sociology. Explain his work with suitable
examples(2016)

What is mind construction and explain if it can be a planned activity? Discuss the role of
education policy towards the formation of social mind and also show its importance in a
separate paragraph.(2014)

2010 - What is role of biradri/castes in political system of Pakistan? Support your answer with
data and evidence from previous general election results in Pakistani society.

2008 – In what respects are your values similar to those of your parents? In what respects do
they differ? How do you explain these differences?

2007 - Political thinkers in Pakistan lament that man in the street is alienated. Do you agree to
the statement and if you agree give reasons. Discuss:

d) nature of alienation
e) integration
c) integrative patterns in Pakistan

2006 - What role biradri/caste system is playing in decision making on political issues especially
local bodies election in rural areas of Pakistan? How this biradri-based political organization
influences the community development process? Discuss in the light of issues/conflicts arising
from the situation and their impact on the individual, family, and society.
2005 - Define the terms ‘Race and Racism’. Discuss the causes responsible for Race Prejudices,
and how these can be eradicated?
2003 - What do you understand by scales and indexes used in sciences? When is it necessary to
shift the base of an index and how is this process carried out?
2003 - The young criminals have been on the increase in Pakistan for the last many years in jail.
Write down critically the main factors associated with Juvenile delinquency.
2002 - Explain social, environmental and psychological factors associated with young criminals.

Answer the question with special reference to Pakistani society.

Area of Focus

Juvenile Delinquency

Racism & Its Factors

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Social Solidarity

Disintegrating Social Fabric & its Causes

capitalism from socialism

application of Sociology in agriculture, health and industries

Robert king Merton in Sociology

role of biradri/castes in political system


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Prepared by: Afzaal Ahmad