SOCIOLOGY- Paper- II REFERENCES

PAPER – II

The best thing about paper 2 is that at the first glance it appears to be a GS paper and this itself is the biggest trap set by UPSC.AS IT IS CONCERNED WITH INDIAN SOCIETY and issues and problems concerning it,so that is the reason for their inclusion in syllabus but as unit 1 (topic- 3^rd) paper-1 suggest ,there is difference in sociological and comman sense interpretation so it has to be reflected when you attempt the answer and there should be application of sociological theories while answering the problem. What generally haapens is that during course of writing answer our common-sense overpowers sociology and then we complain of poor marks in paper –ii. Secondly there are problems in interpretation of questions itself as UPSC weaves question in such a masterly language that even if we miss one word in question,entire meaning and understanding is changed.

As far as references are concerned there are variety of them available so best thing is have your own notes and reference volumes. These can be from various collections neatly summed up according to topics in syllabus. Thirdly there is very imp. Role of case studies in paper –ii so it is advisable that a separate register could be made in which case studies’s conclusion/abstract could be written and along the margin write in which topic they can be applied like caste mobility,education,social change etc.they should include name of researcher,name of case study/book. Many recent case studies can be accessed from The Hindu Tuesday book review and from sage.

The references as per topics are:-

              INDIAN SOCIETY: STRUCTURE AND CHANGE
A. Introducing Indian Society:

      (i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society: 
                                        B.K.NAGLA’s Indian Social Thought) and Mohapatra sir’s                            (vajiram n ravi) class notes selectively.

1. Indology  (G.S. Ghurye).
2. Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
3. Marxist sociology (A R Desai).

It is important to point that apart from mentioned thinkers it is advisable to have basic knowledge of other theorist of particular stream. Like S.C.Dube, Beteille for S-F, D.P.Mukherjee  for Marxist and Iravati Karve,Dumont for indology.

(ii) Impact of colonial rule on Indian society:  
                 a general u/s of freedom struggle will help but we need to be critical with its analysis so better read A.R.Desai’s book “Social background of Indian nationalism”( helpful for GS modern history)

4. Social background of Indian nationalism.
5. Modernization of Indian tradition.-  “Modernization of Indian Tradition” by Yoginder Singh, preferably read whole book as it covers very imp. Topics and studies in a lucid manner.read views of different thinkers regarding this topic like D.P.Mukherjee’s, A.Beteille’s view.
6. Protests and movements during the colonial period.
7. Social reforms.

B. Social Structure:
(i) Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:

8. The idea of Indian village and village studies- 

                can be covered from variety of sources and case studies which you learn while covering thinkers.cover it from multiple perspective like Marxist-SF.(article of Surinder Jodhka are worth reading in  VEENA DAS or otherwise )

8. Agrarian social structure - evolution of land tenure system, land reforms. 

                             UIAS CLASS NOTES. .(articles of Surinder Jodhka are worth reading in VEENA DAS or o/w)

 

(ii) Caste System:

11. Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.-

                                   B.K.NAGLA, Mohapatra sir’s classnotes and aticles of Beteille in journals or TH (Debate)

11. Features of caste system.
12. Untouchability - forms and perspectives.- only from UIAS CLASS NOTES (best)

(iii) Tribal communities in India: 
    any standard handout/coaching notes. But be specific and limited. Supplement by recent problems and issues concerning from newspapers like mining, Maoism, IMR issues. Also view points like that of Virginius Xaxa are relevant which are published in journals like EPW or Internet.(google books)

14. Definitional problems.
15. Geographical spread.
16. Colonial policies and tribes.
17. Issues of integration and autonomy. 

(iv) Social Classes in India:

1. Agrarian class structure. 

                     UIAS CLASS NOTES. Along with IGNOU’s text material available on website for better coverage.(mainly covers thorner’s,Utsa pattnaik,and Dhanagre's view and changes observed in it.)

                          2.Industrial class structure.- UIAS CLASS NOTES.

                3. Middle classes in India.- articles by B.B.Mishra and another by ANDRE BETEILLE. and UIAS class notes.

(v) Systems of Kinship in India:

               IGNOU’s text is best for this section. Can be downloaded and read. And mohapatra sir’s notes very selectively.(works of iravati karve,kapadia,G.shah are worth quoting,so have knowledge of their viewpoints)

4. Lineage and descent in India.
5. Types of kinship systems.
6. Family and marriage in India.
7. Household dimensions of the family.

.

(vi) Religion and Society:

only IGNOU and recent news items covering issues of specific communities.

8. Religious communities in India.
9. Problems of religious minorities.

C. Social Changes in India:
(i) Visions of Social Change in India: 
        I referred UIAS class notes(sufficient in themselves) and have seen other resources also.

10. Idea of development planning and mixed economy.
11. Constitution, law and social change. .(very imp. Topic)
12. Education and social change.(very imp. topic)

(ii) Rural and Agrarian transformation in India:

13. Programmes of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation schemes.- UIAS class notes.
14. Green revolution and social change.                                     best covered in UIAS class notes .plz read case studies concerning different regions of green revolution and its impact. (.(very imp. topic)

13. Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture .         Hand-outs given by UIAS is good.also  articles by Utsa pattnaik which appear in THE HINDU are useful.
14. Problems of rural labour, bondage,migration. Hand-out given by UIAS is sufficient.(paul brass’s studies are good and can be referred). Recent data for migration can be used from census 2011 and NSS reports to supplement answers.

(iii) Industrialization and Urbanisation in India:

17. Evolution of modern industry in India. Vajiram class notes
18. Growth of urban settlements in India. vajiram class notes.
19. Working class: structure, growth, class mobilization.-      very dynamic topic and best source is IGNOU text.
20. Informal sector, child labour. Jan Breman’s article are worth read either from VEENA DAS or available elsewhere. UIAS class notes covers good analysis of the issues.
21. Slums and deprivation in urban areas.related with above sub-topic so same source but this needs additional data from census ,NSS reports on slums and urban amenities.

(iv) Politics and Society:

        This is a topic with which UPSC seems to be a bit obsessed these days so it becomes imp. To pay attention.as topic is very dynamic so be updated with case studies which can be assessed on internet/EPW.

Apart from it Tuesday’s book review contains abstract of published books which is sufficient to get a glimpse of inside view of the topic so take notes from there. On this issue views of Rajni Kothari, T.K.Oomen,Beteille, Paul Brass are worth quoting. Both UIAS class notes and vajiram’s are good for this topic and Much depends on aspirants own analytical abilities. Ram Ahuja’s Society in India can also be referred if required.

22. Nation, democracy and citizenship.
23. Political parties, pressure groups , social and political elite.
24. Regionalism and decentralization of power.
25. Secularization

(v) Social Movements in Modern India: IGNOU M.A.’s text is good. UIAS class notes as usual has best analysis for all below sub-topics. Vajiram has plenty of material so it depends how to limit its use in12-15 markers.

26. Peasants and farmers movements.(plz be clear of the difference between these 2)
27. Women’s movement.
28. Backward classes & Dalit movement.
29. Environmental movements.
30. Ethnicity and Identity movements.

(vi) Population Dynamics:       I have also referred good handout on this issue by Bhende and Kanitkar which appears to be written for this section itself. Along with it census 2001 and 2011’s  basic facts should be on tips as without it there would be no substance in the answers.

31. Population size, growth, composition and distribution.
32. Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
33. Population policy and family planning.
34. Emerging issues: ageing, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.(periscope section of TH will be useful for this.)

(vii) Challenges of Social Transformation:

35. Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems and sustainability.        

                      (Articles by Walter Fernandes is ultimate, available in xerox shops.Also have interest in recent issues/projects and legislations.)

35. Poverty, deprivation and inequalities. UIAS class notes
36. Violence against women.UIAS class notes
37. Caste conflicts.UIAS class notes and recent issues of conflict from newspaper.
38. Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.-UIAS class notes
39. Illiteracy and disparities in education. UIAS class notes(imp. topic) 

                                                

these above are the references which i have used in 2010 and 2011 CSE mains exam, so my opinion regarding other sources is limited and this is is what i feel will make you feel competent to score good marks in sociology.