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.
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