MSOE-003 Solved Assignments

* Note :- The answers that are not published yet, will be posted soon.

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July 2024 and January 2025

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION – I

1. Outline the Marxian concept of religion.
2. Examine totemism as an elementary form of religion.
3. What is “okka”? Discuss with examples.
4. Explain T.N. Madan‟s view of non-renunciation with suitable example.

SECTION – II

1. Explain phenomenology of religion with special reference to Peter Bergers‟ view.
2. Discuss the theories of secularism with special reference to the Indian experience.
3. Explain Clifford Geertz‟s approach to the understanding of religion.
4. Discuss the view of Lèvi-Strauss on totemism.

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July 2023 and January 2024

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION – I

1. Discuss the functional interpretation of religion.
2. Discuss the role of religious specialists in society with reference to the perspective of Max Weber.
3. Critically examine the relationship between religion and economy.
4. Explain the concept of sacrifice with reference to Nuer society.
5. Discuss the relationship between ascetic Protestantism and capitalism.

SECTION – II

1. Explain religion as a system of symbols.
2. Explain the European concept of secularism.
3. Compare and contrast the concepts of fundamentalism and communalism.
4. Discuss the emergence and spread of Christianity in India.
5. Examine the social context of the emergence of Buddhism.

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July 2019 and January 2020

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION – I

1. Write a critical note on Weberian approach to study religion.
2. Explain the relevance of Durkheim’s approach in studying religion in modern society.
3. Describe religion as a system of symbols.
4. Discuss the relationship between religion and economy from Max Weber’s perspective.
5. Describe the historical and comparative approaches to the study of religion.

SECTION – II

1. Discuss the religious legacy of the Croogs.
2. Compare and contrast magic and religion.
3. Discuss the concepts of auspiciousness and purity.
4. What is totemism? In what way does Levi Strauss employ totemism employ totemism to understand social reality.
5. Discuss the phenomenological approach to religion as outlined by Peter Berger.

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July 2018 and January 2019

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION – I

1. What is meant by ‘symbol’? Explain how religion is a system of symbols.
2. Discuss the functionalist approach to the understanding of religion with reference to the writings of Emile Durkheim.
3. Critically discuss Marxian perspective on religion.
4. Explain the role of myths in society.
5. Explain the relationship between religion and economy with reference to the viewpoint of Max Weber

SECTION – II

1. What is ‘totemism’? In what way does Lévi-Strauss employ totemism to understand social reality.
2. What is ‘secularization’? Explain the European experience with secularization.
3. Discuss Peter Berger’s contribution to the study of religion.
4. Explain the extrinsic model of religious conversion.
5. Write short notes on the following:
   (i) Communalism
   (ii) New age cults

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July 2017 and January 2018

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks.

SECTION – I

1. Critically discuss the relationship between religion, magic and science.
2. Explain the role of priests and prophets in Nuer religion.
3. Does religious ethic contribute to the rise of capitalism? Discuss with reference to Max Weber’s writings.
4. Discuss the functionalist approach to the understanding of religion.
5. Explain religion as a cultural system.

SECTION – II

1. Explain the concept of secularism. Discuss its relevance in society.
2. Discuss Peter Berger’s contribution to the understanding of religion.
3. What does T N Madan mean by ‘non-renunciation’? Discuss with suitable illustrations.
4. Examine the social context of the emergence of Buddhism.
5. Explain the extrinsic model of religious conversion.

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July 2016 and January 2017

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks.

Section-I

1. Discuss Weber’s central thesis on religion and economy.
2. Outline Berger’s phenomenological approach to religion.
3. Discuss the nexus between politics, religion and education.
4. Differentiate between secularism and secularization.
5. Eluciate Durkheims understanding of totemism.

Section-II

1. Outline Marx’s approach to religion.
2. Discuss with examples of religion as a fact.
3. Describe the Okka among the Coorgs.
4. Write about Geertz’s cultural analysis.
5. Discuss New Age movements and Cults with the help of examples.

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July 2015 and January 2016

Answer any five question in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. All questions carry equal marks.

Section-I

1. Describe and compare the historical and comparative approaches to the study of religion.
2. Outline the Marxian approach to religion.
3. Describe Durkheim’s understanding of totemism.
4. Discuss Weber’s central thesis on religion and economy.
5. Elucidate the concepts of “sin” and “sacrifice” among the Nuer.

Section-II

1. Discuss the phenomenological approach to religion as outlined by Peter Berger.
2. Describe religion as a set of symbols.
3. Compare and contrast Jainism and Buddhism.
4. What is secularization? Illustrate with examples.
5. Discuss the nexus between politics, religion and education.