Image: Courtesy of Dev N. Pathak, Sociology, SAU.
About The Department - Vision and Beyond



Over the last half century or so, a vast body of knowledge(s) on the region has evolved within South Asia that mostly remain within the countries of their origin due to a number of reasons. In this specific context, there is a crucial need to share some of this knowledge in contemporary times when, despite assertions of localisations and mini-narratives, the universal does retain its emphasis through a constant dialectics of the two. The debate between the local and universal or mini-narratives and meta-narratives continue to rage, and is more clearly visible in the context of South Asian context. Even so, we are acutely aware of the non-existence of regular and serious forums for South Asian scholarship in social sciences to showcase our own research and thinking. We are also quite conscious of the fact that the process of establishing sociology in the region has created its own peculiarities which has established close inter-relationships between sociology and social anthropology, history, cultural studies, archeology and other related disciplines. We consider the porousness of South Asian sociology one of its most enduring strengths. On the other hand, we are not unaware of the unfortunate regressions sociology has experienced in different South Asian contexts over the last 30 years or so marked by numerous institutional failures.



It is within the context(s) outlined above that the Department of Sociology at South Asian university, initiated in 2011 witihn the Faculty of Social Sciences contributes to teaching, training and knowledge production. It is not intended to be a mere forum for the production of cutting-edge intellectual knowledge and exchange of that knowledge traversing across national borders in South Asia and beyond. Our expectation is that this knowledge would dislocate the persistence of an imposed framework emanating from the colonisation process and postcolonial politics of knowledge. Despite the passage of over fifty years since the process of official decolonization began in the region, much of the analyses of our problems, situations, histories and dynamics emanate from Euro American academia; this is certainly the case when it comes to conceptual formulations and theoretical approaches that are being employed in exploring the region’s social and cultural complexities often without much self-reflection.



The Department of Sociology strongly believes in the need to reformulate this situation by effectively centering South Asia without naively shunning thought from these established centers of knowledge be they in Europe or North America. We believe in an active and robust engagement with these issues within South Asia. In this context, through the work of its faculty and the research of graduate students, the Department would bring forward the newer forms of knowledge that comprehends and represents the South Asian context with a more authoritative and nuanced voice. We strongly believe in the need to actively intervene in the process of knowledge formation through a constant sharing of knowledge that the region produces as well as through interaction with the world beyond the region.



The courses taught in the Department as well as the research carried out by its faculty members reflect this overall vision and our collective commitment towards innovation, move beyond untenable stereotypes, and explore a new world of knowledge within the discipline of Sociology.


Class of 2011, Department of Sociology, South Asian University; Image: Courtesy of Dev N. Pathak, Sociology, SAU.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Field Research Training Program

Department of Sociology
Faculty of Social Sciences
South Asian University

Winter Semester 2012

Tentative Program

Research site:
 Sarnath Temple, Banaras, India
Duration:
March 31, 2012 to April 7, 2012

Image Courtesy of Department of Anthropology, Durham University (http://www.dur.ac.uk/anthropology/research/earg/)
The planned research field trip is part of the Research Methodology course, being offered in the winter 2012 semester. The objective of the research trip is to provide students with hands-on experience of research techniques and procedures−−data collection, analysis, and reporting. During the field work students apply research techniques they learn in their course to the real field. The Department of Sociology believes that the field trip helps students become better producers and consumers of sociological knowledge. The field trip is mandatory and will be supervised by two faculty members. The tentative plan for the trip is as follows:

Pre-departure preparation (the details will be announced in research methodology class):
Discussion with the concerned authorities at the Sarnath Temple.
Each student reads at least one (ethnographic) article on a religious site.
Students identify potential interviewees (officials, visitors, devotees etc.) and prepare an interview checklist.
Students identify types of documents they will collect and analyze.

Students will be divided into different groups to carry out the proposed activities (interviewing, observation, social mapping, and document collection). They will be initially trained in interview and observation techniques in research methodology class, which will later be practiced in the field under supervision.

A two-hour preparation workshop will be held on March 28 2012. Students and faculty members will discus and share final research plans, expectations, and objectives of the field research.
 
Field activities. Students will be primarily involved in:
Interviewing
Observation
Social mapping/document collection

Field Program

April 1: Students reach Banaras and inspect the site at Sarnath.
April 2 to 5: Intensive field work

Daily activities (April 2 to 5):

8:30 AM to 1:00 PM Field research
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Lunch break
2:00 PM to 3 PM: Finalization of field report
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Review workshop*
*In review workshops, students share their daily experience and plan for the next day’s activities. Two or three students will coordinate the workshops. The review workshops will be held at different places, which will be announced in the field.

April 6 and 7:
City tour;
Final preparation of field notes (typed and/or hand written), which must be handed over to the supervisors.
Departure on the 7th.

Post-field work activities:
Students submit their individual field notes and reflections by April 13th.
Students will practice data analysis in Research Methodology class.
Three groups of students submit group research papers (about 2000 words) by April 30.
Students are encouraged to write individual experience and post their write-ups at the departmental students' blog.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Theatre Workshop

Department of Sociology
Faculty of Social Sciences
South Asian University

Invites all for a production oriented

Theatre Workshop

The Department of Sociology is organizing a month-long theatre workshop. The workshop will be production oriented, and at the end of it participating students will produce a play. The workshop is open for students and teachers from across Departments and Faculties at SAU. To formalize it, the interested students and teachers need to formally register for the workshop, and abide by the basic rules of attendance. At the end of the same, they will develop their script, direct and act in the play. All the participants will, in addition to acting in a play, also receive a certificate from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Objectives:
1.    To facilitate extracurricular activity to channelize
students’ creative energy;
2.    To implement theatre as a tool of learning in social science;
3.    To facilitate a sense of belongingness to the university among students from across disciplines.

Who can Join/Participate?
The workshop is open for all students and faculty members of South Asian University. However, a willing participant has to register for it formally and be regular in the workshop.

Resource Persons:
·       Tariq Hamid, Actor/Director, WINGS, Delhi (http://www.ourwingss.blogspot.in/search/label/About%20Us)
Tariq Hamid has been in limelight of Indian Theater since the epochal performance of Chand Roz Aur… A Theatrical Tribute to Faiz Ahmad Faiz; the play has gone to places within as well as beyond India winning awards to his credit. Besides, Tariq Hamid has extensive experiencein conducting workshops with youth and producing/directing plays.

·       Hadi Sarmadi (Actor/Director, Bahrup, Delhi)
Famously known as the grave hero of Jawaharlal Nehru University, he has worked for over a decade with the group Bahuru, won awards for his landmark performances, and has been renowned for his workshops with youth all over India.

Venue & time of workshop:Akbar Bhawan/4.30- 6.30 PM

Frequency per week: 
Three days

Days of the week:Monday, Friday, Saturday

Workshop structure:
Acting Warm up + Script development
Acting warm up+ script development
Public Lecture: Theatre and Personality Development
Acting warm up + script development
Actor is the singer/musician
Actor is the writer/creator/producer
Acting, scripting, and stage management  
Acting, scripting, and direction
Acting, scripting, direction and light
Public Lecture: Theatre and Education  
Direction       
Director, Actor, and Production
Play Rehearsals
Play Rehearsals
Play Rehearsals+ Acting tips
Conflict resolution through theater
Play Rehearsals

Duration of workshop:
One Month (29th February- 7th April 2012, with an interim gap of 12th March to 19th March for mid-semester exams)

Performances after workshop:
Street theatre: 8th April (at SAU)
Stage Performance: 9th April, India Habitat Center
Registration till 28th:
Students from South Asian University can register by filling up a form. Kindly collect the form from Mr. Sam George (PS, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences) and submit to Mr. George before 28th February. Once registration closes, any new entry may be difficult due to logistical issues.

Eligibility:You need to be enrolled with South Asian University; you need to have an interest in any aspect of theatre (acting, writing, music, stage designing, light work, etc). Even novices can apply.

Rules:
All registered have to be regular with the workshop. Those who  are absent for three times would forfeit their registration. Irregular participants would not be cast in the performance at the end of the workshop; Irregular participants would not be issued certificates of participation either.

Coordinator:
Professor. Dev N Pathak, Department of Sociology

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Announcement and Invitation

Department of Sociology
@
Faculty of Social Sciences, South Asian University

Presents

The (post)Modern: Through Sociological Lens
A PHOTO EXHIBITION-WORKSHOP TO VISUALIZE
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES

Date and Time: 6TH MARCH, 1PM-4 PM
Venue: FSI HALL, AKBAR BHAWAN, South Asian University, Chankyapuri, New Delhi

Image: Courtesy of Dev Pathak, Sociology, SAU
I READ THOSE BURIED IN THE TEXTS
I SEE THEM IN COLORS, OUT THERE;
I CAUGHT A FEW OF THEM IN MY LENS
AH! I THOUGHT AS MUCH; ONLY TO SENSE,
THEY ARE NOWHERE….
Instructions for Submission:
Five original Photographs, printed in A3 size, with a description in 50 words or less.

Last Date:
1 March 2012

Contact to Register & Exhibit your Photo: dev@soc.sau.ac.in / 9910944431

All participants will be felicitated with a letter of appreciation

Invitation

Department of Sociology
@
Faculty of Social Sciences, South Asian University  

Invites all to the   
                                                                                                                 
 Panel discussion

‘Theory or/and Practice: The Sociological Dilemma’
Image: Courtesy of Theertha International, Colombo.
Speakers:
Prof. Avijit Pathak, JNU
Dr. Amites Mukhopadhyay, AUD
Venue:
FSI Hall, Ground Floor, Akbar Bhawan, South Asian University, Chanakyapuri - 110021
 
Date and Time: 29th February 2012; 2:00 PM

Please have your mobile phones switched off during the proceedings

Come, Join Our Masters Program

Image: Courtesy of Dev N. Pathak, Sociology, SAU.
Knowledge/Power/Attitude
SOCIOLOGY @ SAU
Interested in a non-conventional but nuanced advanced education in sociology?

COME, JOIN OUR MASTERS PROGRAM
The Department of Sociology at South Asian University commenced its academic program in August 2011 by offering a Master of Arts Degree Program in Sociology. At present, it hosts students and teachers from a number of South Asian countries. In addition to offering cutting edge knowledge in sociology, the Department’s main strength is the diversity its students and teachers offer in terms of culture, background as well as a multiplicity of academic approaches. For more information on the Department’s objectives, programs and course related information, please visit our webpage at:  http://www.southasianuniversity.org/Faculties/FSS/Soc/about.html

The M.A. program in sociology runs through two years. The four semesters of the course offer a combination of compulsory and optional courses along with a dissertation-writing component worth 12 credits spread over two semesters. At the end of the second semester, students will select a theme of research and will work with a faculty member on the chosen topic towards writing a dissertation.

The teaching-learning process currently in place introduces students to the theory of sociology and social anthropology as well as contemporary social theory in general along with conceptual and methodological tools to understand society and culture and analyze social phenomena.

The Entrance Examination for the next intake will be held on 27th of May 2012 in selected cities in South Asia. Please visit SAU website for further information.