B.A. Sociology

B.A. Sociology

Syllabus
In terms of the curriculum the syllabus is divided into 16 modules and each module is
headed by a particular teacher who also has a tutor or teaching assistant. The students
are given some basic and essential readings or texts. From the very beginning, the habit
of textual reading is inculcated so that the students are able to imbibe the language of
social science and start exploring new readings on their own. Such a method also helps in
the development of critical ways of thinking. This habit of textual reading is abetted by
regular tutorials where discussions take place and clarifications are made. Feedback taken
time to time from students on (a) the relevance of the contents taught (b) the method of
teaching and (c) the readings given have been very encouraging. Students are also given
assignments such as writing term papers and book reviews and are encouraged to make
presentations on contemporary themes of their choice.
The Department from its inception has been organising a three-day village trip for each
batch. It is a village exposure programme where the students stay and interact with the
villagers to know more about village social, political and economic life. After the trip the
students are expected to submit a substantial report on their experiences. This
programme has helped students enormously in developing fieldwork strategies and skills
and also with the course on dissertations.
Under the new syllabus students are required to do a 50-mark full-fledged dissertation as
an independent module. Our past experience is that since we allow students to take up
dissertation topics of their choice, they enjoy doing it. Moreover, with proper guidance
they develop the skill of independent project work - a skill that has great employment
potential for students. Further, each student makes a 15-minute presentation on her
dissertation which is followed by a short discussion. Some of the best dissertation themes
include gender, sexualities, body, feminist movements, child sexual abuse, identities and
identity politics, youth politics, euthanasia, parent-child relationships, children and reality
shows, adda, durga puja, T-shirts, trust, courtesy, friendship, music, dance, FM radio.
Additionally the Department has also been organising seminars, talks and interactive
sessions and screening movies and documentaries pertaining to topics taught in the class.
Some of the eminent speakers have been Prof. Andre Beteille, Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Dr.
Deepak Mehta, Dr. Manisha Dasgupta, Ms Valerie Mason John. Some of the movies and
documentaries screened include Hidden Half, The Circle, Ram Ke Naam, Father Son and
Holy War, Roshomon.
As new comers to the autonomous mode, with a lot of apprehension and trepidation we
have made this humble beginning.

Translated in terms of modules, the above ideas have been developed in the
following way:
Module 1: Introducing Sociology
Module 2: Introducing India
Module 3: Classical Sociological Thinkers I
Module 4: Social Interaction and Social Relationships
Module 5: Classical Sociological Thinkers II
Module 6: Body, Culture and Cultural Contestations
Module 7: Social Institutions I
Module 8: Social Theory I
Module 9: Social Institutions II
Module 10: Social Theory II
Module 11: Research Method I
Module 12: Social Stratification
Module 13: Research Method II
Module 14: Social Challenges and Movements
Module 15: Change, Development, Globalisation
Module 16: Dissertation.