‘THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES EXAMINATIONS OF DECEMBER 2008 Code and Name of Course: SOCI 1002 (SY14G) - Introduction to Sociology | Paper: Distance Date and Time: Duration: 2 hrs. INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES: This paper has four (4) pages and twenty-four (24) questions This paper ided into three Sections You are required to answer all questions in Section A and TWO questi ‘Section B and Section C Please use your answer booklet for responses to all questionsPage 2 Section A (10 marks) Select the most appropriate response for each of the following: 1. Positivist philosophy advocates that: a) observers can be impartial in their observations of human behaviour b) one must use Verstehen to understand human behaviour ©) social science must start with the individual d) the study of society is best conducted with optimism and freedom 2, According to C. Wright Mills the concept of “sociological imagination” is: a) having a value free approach to the study of society b) the ability to study the social structure simultaneously with what is happening in the private life of the individual ©) the ability to focus on interaction and the application of qualitative methods in the observation of everyday life 4) an understanding of the meaning individuals have for their actions 3. The importance of the economy to the functioning of all social institutions is fundamental to the work of: a) Emile Durkheim b) Karl Marx ©) Max Weber 4) Robert Merton 4, The sociological perspective which contends that social stratification is necessary for society to operate efficiently is the: a) conflict perspective b) neo-Marnist perspective ©) interactionist perspective 4) functionalist perspective ©The University of the West Indies Course Code SOC! 1002 (SY146) FendOB DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET: USE ONE SIDE ONLY INSTRUCTIONS: Each page must be signed by the Examiners and where applicable, the University Examiner andor the Extemal Examiner. Where the examination does not require a University Examiner the form must be signed bvPage 3 5. @gpording to Telco Parsons the functions ofthe family contribute to maintenance ofa cut division of labour in which: a) females act in instrumental roles and men perform expressive roles b) females act in expressive roles and men perform instrumental roles ©) both men and women act in instrumental and expressive roles d) both men and women perform expressive and instrumental roles Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE 6. Ifa sociologist studies patterns of everyday interaction among individuals, his/her study isan example of ‘macro-level analysis. 7. According to Max Weber social facts are the social structures and cultural norms and values that are external to and coercive over, the individual. 8. Ina mechanistic type of organisation, according to Burns and Stalker, the goals of the organisation take precedence over narrowly defined roles and people at all levels have input. 9. Someone who gains a higher or lower social position than he or she was born into is said to have experienced vertical mobility. 10. Oscar Lewis argues that the high incidence of matrifocal families in the Caribbean is due to “cultural retention” of the practice of polygyny in Africa, Section B (10 marks) Write short answers of no more than two paragraphs each on two of the questions in this section 11. “Sociology is not, cannot be, and should not be considered a science.” To what extent do you support this view? 12. How accurate is the argument that the ideas/contributions of Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton are more similar than different? 13. Discuss George Ritzer’s view of the “McDonaldization of society”. 14. Outline the main differences between the functionalist and conflict perspectives on education, 15, Comment on Durkheim's view that "god and society are one” and that religious worship is really worship of society. ‘©The University of the West indies Course Code SOC! 1002 (S146) baDOB, DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET: USE ONE SIDE ONLY INSTRUCTIONS: Each page must be signed by the Examiners and where applicable, the University Examiner and/or the External Examiner. Where the examination does nat reanire @ University Fvaminar the form met ha einma bo16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21 22. 23. 24. Page 4 Section C (40 marks) Answer any two questions from this section To what extent do you agree that combining quantitative and qualitative methods increases the effectiveness of sociological research? Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber have been named among the “founding fathers” of sociology. Critically discuss the contributions of any two of these theorists to the development of sociology as a discipline. Critically assess the view that the effective operation of today's businesses and organisations depend on the ability of management to move away from bureaucratic systems. Given the influence of history and culture on the English speaking Caribbean, how relevant is the functionalist perspective on social stratification to the structure of our societies? Discuss with reference to empirical studies conducted in the region. Examine the extent to which Caribbean societies can be characterised as cither Plantation Societies, Plural Societies or Creole Societies. Discuss with reference to empirical studies conducted in the region. Gender inequality is defined by the differences in status, power and prestige enjoyed by men and women in a variety of social situations. Discuss these concepts in the context of empirical studies of gender inequalities in the Caribbean. Does a Structural Functionalist definition of the family assist us in understanding the family in the Caribbean today? Discuss with reference to studies conducted in the region. Many Caribbean governments have adopted the philosophy that “no one/child should be left behind” with respect to education. Using empirical studies conducted in the region, discuss this statement in relation to the view that social class and gender determine access to certain types of schools and influence academic achievement in contemporary Caribbean society. The Caribbean is noted for its diverse patterns of religious expressions and practice. Critically examine the view that the conflict perspective provides the best explanation for the nature and practice of religion in the region. END OF QUESTION PAPER ©The University of the West Indies Course Code SOC! 1002 (SY14) L DO NOT WRITE ON THE BACK OF THIS SHEET: USE ONE SIDE ONLY INSTRUCTION: ach page must be signed by the Examiners and where applicable, the University Examiner and/or the External Examiner. Where the examination does not require a University Examiner, the form must be signed by