POKHARA UNIVERSITY

 

Level: Bachelor                                Semester: Fall                                   Year: 2021      

Programme: BBA/BCIS/BHCM/BHM/TT                                                   Pass marks : 45

Course: Fundamentals of Sociology                                                           Full Marks: 100

Time: 3 hrs.

 

Candidates are required to answer in their own words as far as practicable. The figures in the margin indicate full marks.

 

                                                                Section "A"

                                               Very Short Answer Questions

Attempt all the questions. [10×2]

1. Define the concept of positivism? Explain with suitable examples.

2. Point any three assumptions that frame symbolic interactionism.

3. What is social capital? In what sense, it is important for the modern financial institutions.

4. Mention the key features of postmodernism.

5. Define the concept of gender with suitable examples.

6. Explain functional and conflict approach to social stratification.

7. How can you differentiate caste from class?

8. Mention any four characteristics of capitalism.

9. What is meant by cultural diffusion?

10. Distinguish between latent and manifest function.

 

                                                            Section "B"

                                             Descriptive Answer Questions

 Attempt any six questions. [6x10]

11. Why do you need to study sociology in management? Explain the different factors that contribute to the emergence of sociology.

12.) What do you understand by post-Modernism? Throw light on the view of Jean Baudrillard on post-modernism.

13. What is socialization? How socialization process contributes for the personality development?

14. Explain the concept of social stratification. Discuss the caste stratification in the context of Nepal.

15. Define educational system and explain its functions. Discuss the functionalist and conflict perspective on education.

16. Explain the major characteristics of social change. Discuss some of the remarkable socio-cultural changes in Nepalese society.

17. Explain the conflict approach to religion with suitable examples.

 

                                                           Section "C"

                                                       Case Analysis

18. Read the case situation given below and answer the questions that follow: [20]

 

This is a case of Tharu community collected from Pipari village located at Ward No. 4 of Dang district. Pipari is among the least developed parts of the district. The people of this village earn their living through engagement in agricultural and livestock-raising activities. They do not

 

have access to safe drinking water and electric facility. Patriarchal ideology prevails in the community. The male is taken as the authority figure in all areas of social life. However, with regard to remarriage, menstruation and child birth, the limits set on women are very low in comparison to those set for Bahun and Chhetri women around the area.

 

This Tharu community regards women as the left arms of the males, only assisting the right hand (males) if needed. Family investments are the sole authority of the male figurehead of the family and women have no say when it comes to how it is to be used. Land ownership is vested in the males and field data also reveal that 97.8 percent of the land is registered to the males. Apart from a few cases of widow women, all the fixed assets are registered to the males.

 

Boys enjoy a greater chance of acquiring higher education than the girls. When a girl student reaches eight class marriage takes centre stage in her life. The prevalent notion is that a woman is someone who has to confine herself to the household activities and attend to the rearing and caring of the other members in the family. Many school going girl children were either engaged in cattle grazing, agriculture or household activities.

 

Many women even after attaining the status of major had not acquired citizenship certificate. This was prevalent in the majority of the household covered in the sample. The justification given by the Tharu was that going out and working beyond the household sphere is not something that the Tharu community values. Furthermore, since fixed assets are not registered in women's names, they see no use of citizenship certificate for women.

 

The above case of the Tharus of Pipari depicts that gender discrimination is a norm that is still being practiced in Nepal. This type of condition prevails even among other types of social categories. Lack of economic opportunities, education and prevalence of socio-religious ideology that confines women to private sphere have been the regions that significant changes have not occurred in the status of women.

 

Questions:

 

a) On the basis of the given case, briefly explain the forms of gender discrimination prevalent in the Tharu community.                                                                                                      [5]

b) What is meant by norms? Differentiate between norms and values                           [5]

c) Why gender discrimination is still prevalent in Nepalese society?                               [5]

d) What would be your suggestions to eliminate gender discrimination in Nepal?          [5]