@ Tupac Shakur for Sociology

Toru · #1 Sunday, October 25, 2015

The past papers contain questions on Marx's theory by the name of Marx's Theory of Labour. Since you have studied the course before, you must know he had no theory by that name. The ones he does have to his account are those of surplus value, class conflict (stemming from the critique of capitalism and to do with social change).

Which of these does the 'Theory of Labour' refer to?

...Since i am new to the subject.

Tupac Shakur · #2 Sunday, October 25, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toru

The past papers contain questions on Marx's theory by the name of Marx's Theory of Labour. Since you have studied the course before, you must know he had no theory by that name. The ones he does have to his account are those of surplus value, class conflict (stemming from the critique of capitalism and to do with social change).

Which of these does the 'Theory of Labour' refer to?

...Since i am new to the subject.

You are right. The examiner was referring to Marx's Labor Theory of Value.

Marx’s Labor Theory of Value: The value of any good is ultimately derived from the labor used to create it. Workers are exploited because they are paid far less than the value they produce with their labor. This theory is just one part of overarching Marxist ideas about class conflict and exploitation of proletariat through capitalism.

This is not a rare occurrence. You'll find several mistakes in CSS past papers. Time and again FPSC examiners have framed questions incorrectly. In fact, some people on this forum we able to track down the book (of an Indian author) from which a few MCQs were taken for Everyday Science 2015 paper. In trying to change the words of a few question, and in trying to shorten the options (apparently to fit questions on one page), the examiner altered a few questions to such an extent that they became borderline nonsensical. Also, if you look at the Précis that was given for 2015, you'll find that there are many commas missing when compared to the original source. Also there were Everyday Science MCQs in Pakistan Affairs paper in 2015.

Toru · #3 Sunday, October 25, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac Shakur

You are right. The examiner was referring to Marx's Labor Theory of Value.

Marx’s Labor Theory of Value: The value of any good is ultimately derived from the labor used to create it. Workers are exploited because they are paid far less than the value they produce with their labor. This theory is just one part of overarching Marxist ideas about class conflict and exploitation of proletariat through capitalism.

This is not a rare occurrence. You'll find several mistakes in CSS past papers. Time and again FPSC examiners have framed questions incorrectly. In fact, some people on this forum we able to track down the book (of an Indian author) from which a few MCQs were taken for Everyday Science 2015 paper. In trying to change the words of a few question, and in trying to shorten the options (apparently to fit questions on one page), the examiner altered a few questions to such an extent that they became borderline nonsensical. Also, if you look at the Précis that was given for 2015, you'll find that there are many commas missing when compared to the original source. Also there were Everyday Science MCQs in Pakistan Affairs paper in 2015.

Yes. I have noticed such mistakes and was amazed at their negligence. They ought to read over the annual reports they issue before handing out question papers. Ek question tak tow sahi se diya nahi jata and nakhray tow aise jaise...well never mind.

Which book are you consulting for Socio?

Tupac Shakur · #4 Sunday, October 25, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toru

Yes. I have noticed such mistakes and was amazed at their negligence. They ought to read over the annual reports they issue before handing out question papers. Ek question tak tow sahi se diya nahi jata and nakhray tow aise jaise...well never mind.

Which book are you consulting for Socio?

I know exactly what you're talking about. I've read some of those reports and they always make me nervous. If that's the frame of mind of our examiners, one can only pause and pray.

Last year I read 'Intro to Sociology' by John J Macionis. It's a bit lengthy but really interesting and easy to digest. I also read 'Suicide' by Emile Durkheim to get some insights. Lastly, I read 'Social Problems of Pakistan' by Dr. Muhammad Khalid. For this attempt I haven't decided which subject I'll opt from the last group. I'll probably go with sociology or psychology, maybe geography.

Toru · #5 Sunday, October 25, 2015

What other subjects are you taking for the next attempt?

And where did you prepare the Theories? Would you have any idea about Ibn Khaldun's evolutionary theory in particular as is given in the past papers? Or is that simply referring to his theory of social solidarity (Al Asabbiya) ?

Demonstrative · #6 Sunday, October 25, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac Shakur

Last year I read 'Intro to Sociology' by John J Macionis. It's a bit lengthy but really interesting and easy to digest. I also read 'Suicide' by Emile Durkheim to get some insights. Lastly, I read 'Social Problems of Pakistan' by Dr. Muhammad Khalid. For this attempt I haven't decided which subject I'll opt from the last group. I'll probably go with sociology or psychology, maybe geography.

As interesting as Macionis is, don't you think it has issues when it comes to answering lengthy questions that one comes across in CSS exams?

Aamish Bhatti · #7 Monday, October 26, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tupac Shakur

Last year I read 'Intro to Sociology' by John J Macionis. It's a bit lengthy but really interesting and easy to digest. I also read 'Suicide' by Emile Durkheim to get some insights. Lastly, I read 'Social Problems of Pakistan' by Dr. Muhammad Khalid. For this attempt I haven't decided which subject I'll opt from the last group. I'll probably go with sociology or psychology, maybe geography.

Sir this question may seem a bit off topic. I want to know your strategy of preparation. You have mentioned 3 books.

1) Did you read them thoroughly?

2) Or did you read only the topics mentioned in syllabus and repeated in past papers?

3) In how much time did you prepare this subject?

4) How much did you rely on past papers during your preparation?

Please share your strategy of preparation for this subject.

Tupac Shakur · #8 Monday, October 26, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aamish Bhatti

Sir this question may seem a bit off topic. I want to know your strategy of preparation. You have mentioned 3 books.

1) Did you read them thoroughly?

2) Or did you read only the topics mentioned in syllabus and repeated in past papers?

3) In how much time did you prepare this subject?

4) How much did you rely on past papers during your preparation?

Please share your strategy of preparation for this subject.

Yes, I read the relevant material thoroughly. In fact I re-read Macionis' chapter reviews more than once. I left out topics that were specifically related to the US. It took me about a month to cover the whole syllabus to my satisfaction. Past papers are very important. I used past papers to judge the importance of various topics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demonstrative

As interesting as Macionis is, don't you think it has issues when it comes to answering lengthy questions that one comes across in CSS exams?

No book, by itself, can prepare you to fully answer CSS questions. To be able to do that you'll have to cultivate a habit of reading all kinds of books, magazines and journals. Through extensive reading you'll be able to critically analyze the topic at hand.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toru

What other subjects are you taking for the next attempt?

And where did you prepare the Theories? Would you have any idea about Ibn Khaldun's evolutionary theory in particular as is given in the past papers? Or is that simply referring to his theory of social solidarity (Al Asabbiya) ?

I did not focus on theories in general and Ibn Khaldun in particular. I'm opting IR, Criminology, Environmental Science, Town Planning and Urban Management.

The Following User Says Thank You to Toru For This Useful Post:
Tupac Shakur (Sunday, October 25, 2015)

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Tupac Shakur For This Useful Post:
Aamish Bhatti (Sunday, October 25, 2015), Breaking Bad (Sunday, October 25, 2015), Toru (Sunday, October 25, 2015)

The Following User Says Thank You to Tupac Shakur For This Useful Post:
Demonstrative (Friday, November 06, 2015)