Sociology

28 MAJOR COURSES

* 4th year undergraduate courses

1. Introduction to Sociology

This course provides an overview of the discipline by outlining the core concepts and theoretical traditions which are imperative to understanding the social forces and processes shaping society. It elaborates on the systematic and logical modes of inquiry. The course will adopt exemplary learning by focusing on global issues, yet with the primary focus being on Indian society.

2. Indian Society and Culture

This course is aimed at presenting an integrated understanding of the Indian society and its diverse cultures. It explores the pluralistic composition of Indian society focusing on tribal, rural and urban societies; enabling students to comprehend the diverse nature of Indian society and its culture. By understanding the social structures and cultural patterns embedded within it, the course will also facilitate an intercultural and multicultural understanding of the society. Students will also engage in reflecting on issues of national integration and identity. Students will critically examine the processes of social change and continuity in contemporary India.

3. Social Structure, Stratification and Institutions

This course will engage students in the treatment of social stratification from the perspectives of theory, structure, and process and their variations in societal and cultural contexts. The course focuses on structural units and the study of social stratification, social formation and social interaction and processes involving social stratification. The major forms of social stratification and their relation to economic and political institutions will be examined. The course will concentrate mainly on the structure of social inequality; hierarchies and status structures; class formation; social mobility; processes of ‘social selection’ and status attainment; social stratification and sub-cultural variations etc. Social stratification in relation to social integration, conflict and change, with special reference to industry and politics will be probed.

4. Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory

This course will take an extensive look at different theoretical frameworks in sociology. It will focus on the contributions of leading sociologists representing different schools of thought. It will expose students to the central tenets and arguments ranging from the "classics" by "founding fathers" to contemporary sociologists, with a focus on their strengths and weaknesses. This will enable students comprehend the social world by exploring distinct trajectories with intersections, critiquing the same and developing a perspective/orientation of their own.

5. Sociology of Family

This course examines the nature and functions of the family from a cross-cultural perspective. It focuses on the family as an institution influenced by cultural factors which is examined through various sociological perspectives. It explores relationship preferences, stages of coupling, marriage and parenting in contemporary context. Through this course diversity in family forms will be understood and challenges to the institution of family will be examined. The aim is to understand how families adapt to current social, economic and political environment.

6. Indian Sociology

The course introduces students to the development and progress of sociology as a discipline in India. It highlights the major concepts and contributions in Indian sociology and their significance in understanding the diversity and complexity that is unique to the Indian socio-cultural milieu.

7. Urban Sociology

This course will engage students in understanding the contours of urban sociology. The course focuses on the dimensions and the perspectives in the study of urban society. The course will enable students to study the distinctive characterization of urban society. The theories pertaining to the urban will be critically examined. The various empirical studies of urban transformations will be reflected upon. The changing dimensions of space, power, caste, gender and class in urban society will be examined. Urban developmental issues will be probed.

8. Research Methods

Sociology is the systematic study of society. This implies that any study within the field cannot be conducted in an arbitrary fashion. This course has been designed to expose students to organized inquiry of social phenomena. Hence it outlines the different components of the research process along with critical decisions that a researcher may be confronted with. Through hands on experience, it will elucidate an understanding of the nature of research problem, sources of data collection, research design, the different methods of obtaining, analyzing, interpreting and presenting the same.

9. Social Issues in Contemporary World

This course focuses on critically assessing many complex and varied problems and issues plaguing contemporary society. This course enables exploration of local and global scenario of social problems. It will focus on, analysing sociologically, problems such as poverty, inequality, domestic violence, human trafficking, crime and environmental degradation. The causes, consequences and remedial measures will be discussed for in depth understanding of the social issues and problems. Programs and policies for alleviating the negative consequences of social problems will be discussed. In addition to research based articles the issues will be understood through sources such as case analysis, documentaries, films and journalistic articles.

10. Gender, Culture and Society

This course critically examines the socio-cultural construction of gender and explores the gendered institutions such as family, education, work and media. It provides insights into the women’s movement, women’s studies and critically examines perspectives to understand gender inequality. Through intersectional and cross cultural studies a broader understanding of how gender is played out in different cultures and how gender inequality and discrimination leads to marginalization, invisibility and exclusion of women will be understood. Transgendered identities and queer theories will be examined to facilitate a broader understanding of gender conundrum.

11. Rural Sociology

This course will engage students in understanding the contours of rural sociology. The course focuses on the dimensions and the perspectives in the study of rural society. The course will enable students to study the distinctive characterization of rural society. The theories pertaining to the rural will be critically examined. The various empirical studies of rural transformations will be reflected upon. The changing dimensions of power, caste, gender and class in rural society will be examined. Rural governance and developmental issues will be probed.

12. Sociology of Work and Organizations

This course enables students to understand the development of the modern day concept of work and its changing contours. It highlights the interconnections between the industrialisation process on the different phases of the development of society and social experience. It will provide an exploration of how the concept of work continues to be shaped by our contemporary ideas of development and progress in society.

13. Social Exclusion in India

This course aims to understand the social location and issues relating to socially excluded, marginalized and vulnerable communities in India. It focuses on the historically deprived sections of Indian society like Tribals, Dalits, women and minorities. It also examines the issues pertaining to communities like LGBT, urban poor and socially and educationally backward classes who are at the margins because of structural reasons and societal attitudes. Structural and phenomenological reasons for their social exclusion will be probed. Critical analysis of theories of identity and social exclusion will be undertaken. Finally, we reflect on the ways and means through which social justice may be achieved.

14. Sociology of Religion

This course will provide an in-depth understanding of the sociological functions and role of religion in society. It will introduce important concepts and contributions in the study of sociology of religion and give a holistic overview of the key developments in the field.

15. Globalization and Social Change

This course aims to examine the characteristics of and the issues relating to globalization. The focus is on the nature and dynamics of globalization and consequences of globalization. It reflects on the increasing dense networks of global interrelations which have transformed human life. Critical analysis of theories of development, underdevelopment, modernization and globalization will be undertaken. Finally we reflect on the Indian experience of globalization and problems and prospects confronted due to it.

16. Sociology of Education

This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the mutually impinging relationship between society and education. It elucidates a comprehension of education against a theoretical backdrop. It also highlights focal areas shaping education in the form of curriculum and pedagogical practices. It will also explore the governmental and private influences in education. It will bring the central issues that plague education to the forefront especially in the Indian context.

17. Sociology of Art

This course is an interdisciplinary course focusing on sociological discourses on artistic creations. It entails analysis of the relationships between social structures, patterns of artistic production and consumption. Number of themes related to the fine as well as popular arts will be examined through sociological perspectives. Through this course we will explore the nature of the art world by understanding and examining the interplay between art and society. Reflections on the reception and reputation of the artists will also be engaged through empirical research. Our goal in this seminar course will be to examine and understand the main traditions, concepts, themes and theories associated with the field of sociology of art. We also embark upon exploring the field’s most pressing current questions and concerns.

18. Science, Technology and Society

The course introduces students to the relationship between science, technology and society from a sociological perspective. It highlights the changing dimensions of social experience vis-a-vis development and progress of science and the sociological issues regarding the role of science and technology in modern contemporary society from varied perspectives.

19. Migration and Diaspora

This course explores the development of the concept of diaspora from its very specific origins to the range of theoretical and empirical perspectives it encompasses today. It provides an understanding of the various migration theories, and brings forth the multifaceted nature of the contemporary global Indian diaspora.

20. Sociology of Tourism

Tourism is an expanding industry incorporating a variety of strategies and employment opportunities. The course is an attempt to look at tourism through the sociological lens. Sociological perspectives will be applied to the understanding of this industry. The movement from mass and leisure tourism to new emerging forms of tourism are some of the major highlights. Moreover, it will also look at factors that motivate the tourists and how the latter perceive and ‘construct’ their experiences. The organization of tourist practices and differential socio-cultural-environmental impact of tourism (both domestic as well as international) will be explored. The interface between tourism and media will be looked at.

21. Sociology of Disasters

The course seeks to introduce the sociological theories pertinent to the area of disaster studies and disaster management. While it begins with a historical perspective, it makes connections with the important social, political and technological issues. The course also lays emphasis on the attainment of critical skills to evaluate disaster management and its implementation in India and across the world.

22. Field Studies

Field exposure is essential for sensitizing students to social realities and provides them with first-hand knowledge of the society. In this course, students are provided with a range of opportunities to do empirical field studies in various community settings in rural and urban areas. Through modules on rural practicum and urban practicum, students are provided with experiential learning and will enable them to also apply sociological methods on field studies.

23. Sociological Perspectives

This course focuses on the theoretical traditions and contemporary discourses in sociology. This course will help students build the foundation for a deeper understanding of theory in social sciences. It will enable students to reflect on the intellectual crisis engulfing the current world and understand the relevance of sociological perspectives in understanding the world around them. It focuses on the substantive theoretical issues which shaped the thinking of the social world.

24. Advanced Research Methods

This course aims to provide an understanding of the nature of the social phenomena and ways to study them. It will introduce students to evidence-based study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The course will introduce students to various statistical research techniques as well as enhance their ability to generate, read, and interpret research findings. Students will also become aware of the ethical issues involved in social science research.

25. Sociology of Everyday Life

This course explores the sociology of everyday life both theoretically and in various empirical contexts. The course will orient students to the key schools of thought in the field including but not limited to Symbolic Interactionism and Dramaturgy (Goffman, Blumer, and Hochschild), Phenomenology (Schutz) and Ethnomethodology (Garfinkel), as well as Standpoint theory (Smith and Collins). This theoretical understanding will enable students to utilize their sociological imaginations in connecting everyday activities and situations as well as seemingly ordinary behaviours and things with larger structural social forces and institutions. The course surveys a range of empirical studies including but not limited to studies of conversation, gender performance, etiquette, everyday violence, social media and new technologies.

26. Social Demography

This course will start with an overview of demographic concepts and processes (e.g. life-course, migration )and go on to discuss how they interrelate with broader social institutions. This will be accomplished by engaging in critical population theories, perspectives and debates from both developed and the developing worlds. Specific themes include Demographic Theories & Perspectives (e.g. Malthus, Marx, Demographic Transition Theory and anthropo-cultural perspectives of population change); Politics of Reproduction: reproductive freedom, the Census and the Muslim question, global politics of population control and contraceptive choice; Migration: theories, global patterns and consequences of international migration; Family Demography: changing nature of unions, family economics, marriage, divorce and cohabitation; Modernity, development and demography: Population growth and economic development debates, cross-cultural population policies with a focus on China

27. Disease, Health, and Society

This course draws on established frameworks of medical sociology, public health and anthropology to unpack the complex relationship between disease, health and social inequalities. The course will encourage students’ critical engagement in understanding the embodiment of inequality and the larger historical, social and economic forces that shape people’s health experiences globally. In particular, the course will begin with a discussion on the links between science and colonialism and subsequently move on to more contemporary debates on the unequal distribution of disease, suffering and infections (e.g. HIV/AIDS and Ebola), social determinants of health and illness and intimate transactions (e.g. organ trafficking, surrogacy and stem cells). In the process, the course will touch upon questions of bioethics in global health practices and offer a critique of humanitarian aid and neoliberalism in the context of global health. The course will conclude with an examination of medicalized resistance to power and health as a human right.

28. Development Sociology

The course deals with understanding how society works in order to better tackle developmental issues such as poverty, inequality, health, income, and overall well-being of people. The course engages with development experience of Indian society from a sociological perspective and develops a sociological critique of the same. The course will have a community-focused approach.

25 MINOR COURSES

 * 4th year undergraduate courses

1. Introduction to Sociology

This course provides an overview of the discipline by outlining the core concepts and theoretical traditions which are imperative to understanding the social forces and processes shaping society. It elaborates on the systematic and logical modes of inquiry. The course will adopt exemplary learning by focusing on global issues, yet with the primary focus being on Indian society.

2. Indian Society and Culture

This course is aimed at presenting an integrated understanding of the Indian society and its diverse cultures. It explores the pluralistic composition of Indian society focusing on tribal, rural and urban societies; enabling students to comprehend the diverse nature of Indian society and its culture. By understanding the social structures and cultural patterns embedded within it, the course will also facilitate an intercultural and multicultural understanding of the society. Students will also engage in reflecting on issues of national integration and identity. Students will critically examine the processes of social change and continuity in contemporary India.

3. Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory

This course will take an extensive look at different theoretical frameworks in sociology. It will focus on the contributions of leading sociologists representing different schools of thought. It will expose students to the central tenets and arguments ranging from the "classics" by "founding fathers" to contemporary sociologists, with a focus on their strengths and weaknesses. This will enable students comprehend the social world by exploring distinct trajectories with intersections, critiquing the same and developing a perspective/orientation of their own.

4. Indian Sociology

The course introduces students to the development and progress of sociology as a discipline in India. It highlights the major concepts and contributions in Indian sociology and their significance in understanding the diversity and complexity that is unique to the Indian socio-cultural milieu.

5. Urban Sociology

This course will engage students in understanding the contours of urban sociology. The course focuses on the dimensions and the perspectives in the study of urban society. The course will enable students to study the distinctive characterization of urban society. The theories pertaining to the urban will be critically examined. The various empirical studies of urban transformations will be reflected upon. The changing dimensions of space, power, caste, gender and class in urban society will be examined. Urban developmental issues will be probed.

6. Sociology of Religion

This course will provide an in-depth understanding of the sociological functions and role of religion in society. It will introduce important concepts and contributions in the study of sociology of religion and give a holistic overview of the key developments in the field.

7. Social Issues in Contemporary World

This course focuses on critically assessing many complex and varied problems and issues plaguing contemporary society. This course enables exploration of local and global scenario of social problems. It will focus on, analysing sociologically, problems such as poverty, inequality, domestic violence, human trafficking, crime and environmental degradation. The causes, consequences and remedial measures will be discussed for in depth understanding of the social issues and problems. Programs and policies for alleviating the negative consequences of social problems will be discussed. In addition to research based articles the issues will be understood through sources such as case analysis, documentaries, films and journalistic articles.

8. Gender, Culture and Society

This course critically examines the socio-cultural construction of gender and explores the gendered institutions such as family, education, work and media. It provides insights into the women’s movement, women’s studies and critically examines perspectives to understand gender inequality. Through intersectional and cross cultural studies a broader understanding of how gender is played out in different cultures and how gender inequality and discrimination leads to marginalization, invisibility and exclusion of women will be understood. Transgendered identities and queer theories will be examined to facilitate a broader understanding of gender conundrum.

9. Rural Sociology

This course will engage students in understanding the contours of rural sociology. The course focuses on the dimensions and the perspectives in the study of rural society. The course will enable students to study the distinctive characterization of rural society. The theories pertaining to the rural will be critically examined. The various empirical studies of rural transformations will be reflected upon. The changing dimensions of power, caste, gender and class in rural society will be examined. Rural governance and developmental issues will be probed.

10. Sociology of Work and Organizations

This course enables students to understand the development of the modern day concept of work and its changing contours. It highlights the interconnections between the industrialisation process on the different phases of the development of society and social experience. It will provide an exploration of how the concept of work continues to be shaped by our contemporary ideas of development and progress in society.

11. Social Exclusion in India

This course aims to understand the social location and issues relating to socially excluded, marginalized and vulnerable communities in India. It focuses on the historically deprived sections of Indian society like Tribals, Dalits, women and minorities. It also examines the issues pertaining to communities like LGBT, urban poor and socially and educationally backward classes who are at the margins because of structural reasons and societal attitudes. Structural and phenomenological reasons for their social exclusion will be probed. Critical analysis of theories of identity and social exclusion will be undertaken. Finally, we reflect on the ways and means through which social justice may be achieved.

12. Sociology of Disasters

The course seeks to introduce the sociological theories pertinent to the area of disaster studies and disaster management. While it begins with a historical perspective, it makes connections with the important social, political and technological issues. The course also lays emphasis on the attainment of critical skills to evaluate disaster management and its implementation in India and across the world.

13. Globalization and Social Change

This course aims to examine the characteristics of and the issues relating to globalization. The focus is on the nature and dynamics of globalization and consequences of globalization. It reflects on the increasing dense networks of global interrelations which have transformed human life. Critical analysis of theories of development, underdevelopment, modernization and globalization will be undertaken. Finally we reflect on the Indian experience of globalization and problems and prospects confronted due to it.

14. Sociology of Education

This course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the mutually impinging relationship between society and education. It elucidates a comprehension of education against a theoretical backdrop. It also highlights focal areas shaping education in the form of curriculum and pedagogical practices. It will also explore the governmental and private influences in education. It will bring the central issues that plague education to the forefront especially in the Indian context.

15. Sociology of Art

This course is an interdisciplinary course focusing on sociological discourses on artistic creations. It entails analysis of the relationships between social structures, patterns of artistic production and consumption. Number of themes related to the fine as well as popular arts will be examined through sociological perspectives. Through this course we will explore the nature of the art world by understanding and examining the interplay between art and society. Reflections on the reception and reputation of the artists will also be engaged through empirical research. Our goal in this seminar course will be to examine and understand the main traditions, concepts, themes and theories associated with the field of sociology of art. We also embark upon exploring the field’s most pressing current questions and concerns.

16. Science, Technology and Society

The course introduces students to the relationship between science, technology and society from a sociological perspective. It highlights the changing dimensions of social experience vis-a-vis development and progress of science and the sociological issues regarding the role of science and technology in modern contemporary society from varied perspectives.

17. Migration and Diaspora

This course explores the development of the concept of diaspora from its very specific origins to the range of theoretical and empirical perspectives it encompasses today. It provides an understanding of the various migration theories, and brings forth the multifaceted nature of the contemporary global Indian diaspora.

18. Sociology of Tourism

Tourism is an expanding industry incorporating a variety of strategies and employment opportunities. The course is an attempt to look at tourism through the sociological lens. Sociological perspectives will be applied to the understanding of this industry. The movement from mass and leisure tourism to new emerging forms of tourism are some of the major highlights. Moreover, it will also look at factors that motivate the tourists and how the latter perceive and ‘construct’ their experiences. The organization of tourist practices and differential socio-cultural-environmental impact of tourism (both domestic as well as international) will be explored. The interface between tourism and media will be looked at.

19. Field Studies

Field exposure is essential for sensitizing students to social realities and provides them with first-hand knowledge of the society. In this course, students are provided with a range of opportunities to do empirical field studies in various community settings in rural and urban areas. Through modules on rural practicum and urban practicum, students are provided with experiential learning and will enable them to also apply sociological methods on field studies.

20. Sociological Perspectives

This course focuses on the theoretical traditions and contemporary discourses in sociology. This course will help students build the foundation for a deeper understanding of theory in social sciences. It will enable students to reflect on the intellectual crisis engulfing the current world and understand the relevance of sociological perspectives in understanding the world around them. It focuses on the substantive theoretical issues which shaped the thinking of the social world.

21. Advanced Research Methods

This course aims to provide an understanding of the nature of the social phenomena and ways to study them. It will introduce students to evidence-based study using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The course will introduce students to various statistical research techniques as well as enhance their ability to generate, read, and interpret research findings. Students will also become aware of the ethical issues involved in social science research.

22. Sociology of Everyday Life

This course explores the sociology of everyday life both theoretically and in various empirical contexts. The course will orient students to the key schools of thought in the field including but not limited to Symbolic Interactionism and Dramaturgy (Goffman, Blumer, and Hochschild), Phenomenology (Schutz) and Ethnomethodology (Garfinkel), as well as Standpoint theory (Smith and Collins). This theoretical understanding will enable students to utilize their sociological imaginations in connecting everyday activities and situations as well as seemingly ordinary behaviours and things with larger structural social forces and institutions. The course surveys a range of empirical studies including but not limited to studies of conversation, gender performance, etiquette, everyday violence, social media and new technologies.

23. Social Demography

This course will start with an overview of demographic concepts and processes (e.g. life-course, migration )and go on to discuss how they interrelate with broader social institutions. This will be accomplished by engaging in critical population theories, perspectives and debates from both developed and the developing worlds. Specific themes include Demographic Theories & Perspectives (e.g. Malthus, Marx, Demographic Transition Theory and anthropo-cultural perspectives of population change); Politics of Reproduction: reproductive freedom, the Census and the Muslim question, global politics of population control and contraceptive choice; Migration: theories, global patterns and consequences of international migration; Family Demography: changing nature of unions, family economics, marriage, divorce and cohabitation; Modernity, development and demography: Population growth and economic development debates, cross-cultural population policies with a focus on China

24. Disease, Health, and Society

This course draws on established frameworks of medical sociology, public health and anthropology to unpack the complex relationship between disease, health and social inequalities. The course will encourage students’ critical engagement in understanding the embodiment of inequality and the larger historical, social and economic forces that shape people’s health experiences globally. In particular, the course will begin with a discussion on the links between science and colonialism and subsequently move on to more contemporary debates on the unequal distribution of disease, suffering and infections (e.g. HIV/AIDS and Ebola), social determinants of health and illness and intimate transactions (e.g. organ trafficking, surrogacy and stem cells). In the process, the course will touch upon questions of bioethics in global health practices and offer a critique of humanitarian aid and neoliberalism in the context of global health. The course will conclude with an examination of medicalized resistance to power and health as a human right.

25. Development Sociology

The course deals with understanding how society works in order to better tackle developmental issues such as poverty, inequality, health, income, and overall well-being of people. The course engages with development experience of Indian society from a sociological perspective and develops a sociological critique of the same. The course will have a community-focused approach.