Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Social sciences

Women's and Gender Studies Exam Preparation

You will likely face two parts on your exam:

1. Matching/definitions (all those terms and people listed).
2. Essay questions (the bolded items + fairy tale analysis).

This study sheet breaks down the material into matching-style definitions and practice essay answers for the key topics from the Introduction, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2.

Part I: Matching – Key Terms & Figures

(Definitions are brief for quick matching.)

Introduction & Lectures

• Women’s & Gender Studies (WGS) – An interdisciplinary field examining how gender shapes society, power, identity, and inequality.
• Feminist/Feminism – A movement and ideology seeking gender equality, challenging patriarchy, and valuing women’s rights/experiences.

Constitutional Law: Core Concepts

Definition and Importance of Constitutional Law

• The Constitution is the supreme law of the country.
• It defines the State's form, ideology, government structure, and citizens' rights and duties.
• Regulates the exercise of State power and the legal relationship between individuals and the State.

Fundamental Principles of Constitutional Law

1. Rule of Law: Government actions must comply with the law; the judiciary ensures laws are followed.
2. Secularism: No official religion; the State treats all religions equally and separates religion from governance.
3. Respect for Human Rights: Fundamental rights and freedoms must be protected.
4. Democratic State: Citizens elect representatives; multiple political choices exist.
5. National State:

Terrorism: Understanding its Dynamics

Terrorism is the use of violence, intimidation, or coercion to achieve political, ideological, or social goals, often targeting civilians or non-combatants.

Types of Terrorism

1. Domestic Terrorism: Terrorism perpetrated within a country by its own citizens.
2. International Terrorism: Terrorism that involves multiple countries or has global implications.
3. State-Sponsored Terrorism: Terrorism supported or funded by a state or government.

Causes of Terrorism

1. Political Grievances: Political oppression, corruption, or lack of representation.
2. Ideological Extremism: Extremist ideologies, such as religious or nationalist extremism.
3. Social and Economic Factors: Poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.

Effects of Terrorism

1. Loss

Regarding the difference between a language and a dialect can be confusing. A language is a mental phenomenon, the language lives in the mind because it is a cognitive ability. However, a dialect is a certain type of linguistic variety. It is the way of speaking of a community which is a bit different from the standard one. One problem is dialectal continuum:

The distinction is very broad. If we ask how many languages there are, we will not have an exact answer because there are over 4000 and 6000 languages. It is difficult to say which is a language or which is not. The word 'language' is a concept more political than scientific, the decision in the end is political. For example, the Swedes, Danish, and Norwegians speak highly similar linguistic... Continue reading "Language vs Dialect: Power Dynamics and Societal Influence" »

Introduction to the Indian Constitution's Basic Structure

The Indian Constitution, adopted shortly after independence, is the supreme law of India. It establishes the framework for a democratic republic, defining the rights and responsibilities of citizens and outlining the structure of the government.

Key Components of the Indian Constitutional Framework

The framework of the Constitution includes several essential elements:

• Fundamental Rights

  These rights are inherent to every citizen and cannot be arbitrarily taken away. They include crucial liberties such as freedom of speech, equality before the law, and the right to life.

• Fundamental Duties

  These duties are considered binding upon every citizen and include responsibilities such as paying taxes,

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Fundamentals

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer system designed to analyze and display geographically referenced information. It utilizes data that is intrinsically linked to a unique location.

Most of the information we have about our world contains a location reference. For instance, where are USGS streamgages located? Where was a rock sample collected? Exactly where are all of a city's fire hydrants?

Consider an example: if a rare plant is observed in three different places, GIS analysis might reveal that these plants are all on north-facing slopes, above an elevation of 1,000 feet, and receive more than ten inches of rain per year. GIS maps can then display all locations in the area that... Continue reading "Essential Concepts: GIS, Smart Cities, and E-Governance" »

Introduction to Global Governance

What is governance? The concept of governance has evolved, reflecting new processes and methods by which society is organized. According to Rhodes (2012), "Governance implies a change in the meaning of government, referring to new governing processes, changing order and rules, or new methods by which society is organized." Similarly, Mark Bevir (2012) states, "Governance encompasses all governing processes, whether carried out by a government, market, or network, at different levels and through tools such as laws, norms, power, or language. Governance differs from government by focusing less on the state and more on social practices."

The Evolution of Global Threats: Pandemic Responses

Global threats, such as... Continue reading "Global Governance Evolution: Pandemics, Wars, and Economic Shifts" »

भारत छोडो आंदोलन (1942): पार्श्वभूमी आणि परिणाम

सन १९४२ साली सुरू झालेले 'भारत छोडो' आंदोलन हा भारतीय राष्ट्रीय चळवळीचा परमोच्च बिंदू ठरला. या आंदोलनाची पार्श्वभूमी दुसऱ्या महायुद्धाची भीषणता, जपानी आक्रमणाची वाढती भीती आणि भारतातील राजकीय पेचप्रसंग सोडवण्यात क्रिप्स शिष्टाईस आलेले अपयश... Continue reading "भारतीय इतिहासातील महत्त्वाचे टप्पे: ब्रिटिश राजवट आणि स्वातंत्र्यसंग्राम" »

Social Norms: Expected Behaviors in Society

Norms are the expected behaviors in a society that tell us how to act in different situations. They are not written down, but we learn them through family, school, and the media. For example, in the UK, it is a norm to:

• Queue and wait your turn
• Say "please" and "thank you"

These behaviors are seen as polite and respectful. Norms help keep society organized and help people understand what is acceptable. They can also change depending on the culture; for example, in some countries, it’s normal to eat with your hands, which may be unusual in the UK.

High Culture: Status, Arts, and Social Class

High culture refers to cultural products and activities that are seen as being of high status and linked to the... Continue reading "Key Sociological Concepts: Norms, Culture, Values, Control" »

United Nations (UN)

The UN facilitates international cooperation in law, security, development, human rights, and peace.

UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: Focuses on education, science, and culture.

FAO

Food and Agriculture Organization: Leads efforts to combat hunger and improve nutrition.

ILO

International Labour Organization: Addresses labor issues and work relations.

UNICEF

United Nations International Children's Fund: Provides aid to children globally.

WHO

World Health Organization: Coordinates international public health initiatives.

IAEA

International Atomic Energy Agency: Promotes peaceful use of nuclear energy.

NATO

North Atlantic Treaty Organization: A military alliance for collective defense.

OPEC

Organization