M.A. Sociology
The MA and MA Five Year Integrated Programmes provide a comprehensive curriculum with deep disciplinary training in sociology with introduction to an array of interdisciplinary approaches to the study of a wide-range of socio-cultural issues at the regional, national and global levels. They are designed to familiarize students with the major sociological perspectives and debates relating to conceptual, theoretical and methodological issues. The programmes endeavour to equip students to develop critical perspectives and orient them to evaluate and conduct social research. They also enable students to understand the complexities of transitions in social life through the application of advanced sociological theories and methods building upon the traditions of the discipline. The research clusters in agrarian change, sociology of economic life, gender and development, disaster studies, sociology of water, migration and cultural studies provide opportunity for students to take softcore courses in these areas.
Focus Areas
.
of the program
Social Change and Mobility
Research in this area focuses on the dimensions of social change and patterns of mobility through theoretical and research-based approach in the context of rapid economic and social changes over recent years. It examines the impact of development planning on various social categories and their varied responses. The emphasis is largely on inequalities, demographic shifts, social movements and migration and their linkages with caste, class and gender dimensions. Understanding social mobility and change are contextualised in the study of rural, urban, tribal communities, dalits and religious minorities.
Agrarian Transformation
Broadly the research in this area focuses on the social consequences of agrarian transformation during colonial, post-colonial and neoliberal periods. It suggests to document the development experiences of different rural-agrarian communities and their responses in the context ongoing significant changes in rural economy. Combining national with regional experiences and economic with non-economic aspects the objective is to provide an inclusive account of a wide range of issues afflicting rural economy and society. We intend to identify the new dynamics in agrarian political economy and present a comprehensive account of diverse aspects of capitalist transition both at theoretical and empirical levels.
Sociology of Water
"As water mirrors society across space and time, Sociology of Water examines how water resources affect caste, class, and gender relations, rural-urban and industry-agriculture contestations, interregional and transnational development cooperation, disputes, conflicts and wars as well. Sociological discourse endeavours to articulate how water forms the social premise in shaping and reshaping society, how neoliberalism and nation-states craft water institutions, how competing demand for water for drinking, domestic use, irrigation and development spawn issues, inequalities and transition in contemporary society. Concurrently, Sociologists occupy key positions in designing, implementing and evaluating water policy, plans and programmes for sustainable water resources development. The thrust area of this department includes gender and irrigation, participatory water resource management, water governance, hydraulic bureaucracy and the interface of water with social change. "
Sociology of Disaster
It is one of the emerging vibrant areas in social science research that deals with the development of knowledge on societal response to hazards and disasters. It sheds light on the risks people encounter and the reasons for their susceptibility to hazards. Our research in this area reflects on how disasters can be perceived within the larger designs of society and how investigating them in this manner may offer productive way of constructing policies that can benefit to reduce disasters and mitigate hazards. This area explains why disasters should not be separated from routine living and exhibits how the risks involved in disaster must be connected with the vulnerability created by many people through their everyday existence.
Who can prefer this Course
Eligibility
Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% of marks. The entrance examination for M.A. will consist of 100 Multiple Choice Questions in the area of Undergraduate Sociology.
