BSOC-109 IGNOU Solved Assignment 2026-27

Course Scope & Syllabus Overview: IGNOU BSOC-109 Sociology of Kinship

BSOC-109: Sociology of Kinship is a core course under the IGNOU Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Sociology (BASOH) curriculum, designed to explore the social, cultural, and structural dimensions of kinship systems. This course critically examines kinship as a fundamental social institution, tracing its evolution from biological and legal perspectives to its contemporary manifestations across societies. Students analyze theoretical frameworks—such as functionalism, structuralism, and feminist perspectives—while engaging with empirical studies on family, marriage, and household dynamics. The study material provides rigorous insights into how kinship shapes identity, power relations, and social reproduction, preparing students for advanced research and analytical thinking in sociology and social anthropology.

Key Syllabus Units & Topics

• Block-1 Introduction: This block lays the foundational groundwork by defining kinship, distinguishing it from biological relations and legal constructs, and tracing its historical significance across civilizations. Key debates on kinship as a social institution versus a biological fact are explored, setting the stage for subsequent analyses.
• Block-2 Approaches: Students evaluate major theoretical perspectives, including Durkheim’s functionalist approach, Lévi-Strauss’s structural anthropology, and feminist critiques of kinship as a patriarchal structure. Comparative case studies from Africa, Asia, and Indigenous societies illustrate diverse kinship systems.
• Block-3 Family, Household and Marriage: This unit dissects the family as an economic and reproductive unit, examining its transformation under globalization, urbanization, and legal reforms. Topics include marriage customs, divorce, polyandry, and the role of the household in social stratification.
• Block-4 Re-casting Kinship: Contemporary challenges to traditional kinship—such as same-sex unions, single-parent households, and digital kinship—are analyzed. The block also explores kinship in post-colonial contexts, including diaspora communities and the impact of migration on familial bonds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the word count requirement for Section A and Section B in the BSOC-109 Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA) for the 2026-27 session?
A: The IGNOU assignment guidelines for BSOC-109 mandate 500 words for Section A (theoretical questions) and 250 words for Section B (case study or short-answer questions). Strict adherence to these limits is essential to avoid deductions.

Q: How are marks distributed in the BSOC-109 examination, and what is the passing criterion for the TMA?
A: The TMA carries 30% weightage in the final grade, with a minimum passing score of 40% required. The remaining 70% is allocated to the term-end examination, which includes both theoretical and practical components as per the CBCS pattern for the 2026-27 session.