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UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

279 0021 ZA 990 0021 ZA 996 DN21 ZA

BSc degrees and Diplomas for Graduates in Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences, the Diploma in Economics and Access Route for Students in the External Programme

Principles of Sociology Thursday, 7th May 2009 : 2.30pm to 5.30pm

Candidates should answer THREE of the following EIGHT questions: QUESTION 1 of Section A (50 marks), QUESTION 2 of Section B (25 marks) and ONE question from Section C (25 marks). Candidates are strongly advised to divide their time accordingly.

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SECTION A Answer all parts of question 1 (50 marks in total).

1.

The secret language of statistics, so appealing in a fact-minded culture, is employed to sensationalise, inflate, confuse, and oversimplify. Statistical methods and statistical terms are necessary in reporting the mass data of social and economic trends, business conditions, opinion polls, the census. But they should be used with care. (Taken from Huff, How To Lie With Statistics) (a) Identify any ONE sociologist who has used statistics to validate their theory. (2 marks) What are the key differences between quantitative and qualitative social research strategies? (4 marks) What is meant by the phrase social construction of reality? Illustrate your answer with reference to EITHER suicide statistics OR crime statistics. (4 marks) You are about to carry out a social survey into attitudes towards public transport within a medium-sized city. i. ii. iii. What is a social survey and why might it be useful for such a study? (2 marks) How should the study be designed in order to be as representative as possible of those who use public transport? (4 marks) What difficulties would be faced by the researcher in conducting such a study? (4 marks)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Explain and illustrate what sociologists mean by any ONE of the following: i. ii. iii. ontology. epistemology. causality.

(8 marks)

(f)

Look at the statements below. Say whether each one is true or false and briefly explain why. i. ii. iii. Mead suggests that individuals are like puppets and are socially determined. (2 marks) A sociological problem is something the police should deal with. (2 marks) Positivism developed as a consequence of the Enlightenment. (2 marks) (question continues on next page)

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(g)

How do sociologists explain the significance of socialisation for constructing identity? (4 marks) Outline the contribution of any ONE of the following to sociology: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. Durkheim. Marx. Weber. Parsons. Mead. Goffman.

(h)

(12 marks)

SECTION B Answer the question in this section (25 marks).

2.

Globalisation is an economic phenomenon with social consequences. Discuss.

SECTION C Answer ONE question from this section (25 marks).

3. 4.

Critically discuss ONE sociological account of the social functions of religious activity. Critically discuss the sociological importance of the distinction between race and ethnicity. Discuss any TWO major theories of social inequality and injustice. How can sociology help us to understand organisations? Critically discuss any TWO sociological theories of power. Critically discuss TWO sociological accounts of the causes of gender inequalities.

5. 6. 7. 8.

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