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.

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
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