ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of Sociology)

WARNING

1. PLAGIARISM OR HIRING OF GHOST WRITER(S) FOR SOLVING THE ASSIGNMENT(S) WILL DEBAR THE STUDENT FROM AWARD OF DEGREE/CERTIFICATE, IF FOUND AT ANY STAGE.
2. SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT(S) BORROWED OR STOLEN FROM OTHER(S) AS ONE’S OWN WILL BE PENALIZED AS DEFINED IN “AIOU PLAGIARISM POLICY”.

Course: Social Problems (9602) Semester: Spring, 2025

Level: Postgraduate/ PGD Population & Development/ PGD Criminology

Please read the following instructions for writing your assignments. (AD, BS, B.Ed. MA/MSc, MEd) (ODL Mode).

1. All questions are compulsory and carry equal marks but within a question the marks are distributed according to its requirements.

2. Read the question carefully and then answer it according to the requirements of the questions.

3. Avoid irrelevant discussion/information and reproducing from books, study guide or allied material.

4. Handwritten scanned assignments are not acceptable.

5. Upload your typed (in Word or PDF format) assignments on or before the due date.

6. Your own analysis and synthesis will be appreciated.

7. Late assignments can’t be uploaded at LMS.

8. The students who attempt their assignments in Urdu/Arabic may upload a scanned copy of their handwritten assignments (in PDF format) on University LMS. The size of the file should not exceed 5MB.

Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50

ASSIGNMENT No. 1

(Units 1–4)

Q. 1 Do social problems exist only when they are recognized as such by society, or can they exist independently of social recognition? Discuss using relevant theoretical perspectives. (20)

Q. 2 Durkheim saw education as essential for social cohesion and the transmission of shared values. In contemporary societies, however, education often reflects the interests of competing social groups. How do you assess Durkheim’s view considering this conflict? (20)

Q. 3 In many societies, the privatization of healthcare has become a significant issue. How would you evaluate the effects of privatized healthcare on health disparities? Is the privatization of healthcare an acceptable solution to addressing health problems in contemporary societies? (20)

Q. 4 Critically examine the concept of 'overpopulation' and its implications for urbanization. How do the challenges of urban population growth in megacities highlight the complexities of managing population dynamics in a globalized world? (20)

Q. 5 Provide notes on the following topics: (10+10)

i. The concept of 'health-related quality of life' (HRQoL)

ii. Malthusian theory of population growth

Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50

ASSIGNMENT No. 2

(Units: 5–9)

Q. 1 To what extent do social structures and institutions (such as the media, education, and the criminal justice system) contribute to the labelling of certain groups as criminals? Consider the role of stereotypes and biases in the creation of these labels. (20)

Q. 2 Population growth in Pakistan has led to significant social and economic challenges. How does rapid population increase strain infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities? Critically assess the government’s role in addressing these challenges. (20)

Q. 3 Critically evaluate the role of social class in perpetuating inequality. How do factors such as wealth, income, and access to resources contribute to social stratification? Discuss with reference to both traditional and modern forms of class-based inequality. (20)

Q. 4 Unemployment in Pakistan is often linked to both structural and cyclical factors. Critically assess how the country’s economic structure, educational system, and labor market policies contribute to high unemployment rates, particularly among youth and women. (20)

Q. 5 Write notes on the following topics: (10+10)

i. Role of family planning policies in Pakistan’s demographic transitions

ii. Role of media in both reinforcing and challenging religious and cultural values

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