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.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Reimagining Visuality


Department of Sociology 
Faculty of Social Sciences 
South Asian University

Reimagining Visuality: 


Exploring Possibilities in Photography,
Theory and Practice
 
Call for Abstracts




The social history of photography in South Asia for the most part has been associated with the need to capture and document images in order to serve the colonial agenda. Further, its shift from then to the present context through the vagaries of post-coloniality is marked by two main developments among many. The first has to do with the evolution of photographic technologies in the 21st century while the second relates to the accessibility of photographic devices in the form of digital cameras and ubiquitous camera-phones making this once elite practice a very democratic one in terms of access. These developments accompanied by increased interactions through alternative means such as the social media and the internet more generally have led to the proliferation of images around us and a radical transformation in the practice of photography.

By the 1980s, the new sub-disciplines of visual sociology and anthropology had emerged in Europe and North America with a concerted focus on imagery as a central occupation in their analytical approach. These developments nevertheless had no discernable impact on the practice of sociology and social anthropology in South Asia on one hand, and on mainstream sociology and anthropology more generally and globally. This meant that only a handful of scholars working in the mainstream of these disciplines have historically used photographs in their work as part of a conscious methodological framework for research or analytical approach for interpretation. With very few exceptions, even when photographs are used, the purpose has often been to illustrate or act as evidence. Thus, photographs are used not as part of a distinct theoretically informed methodological apparatus but to substantiate claims made by the written word. Moreover, this feeble attempt to incorporate pictures combined with the lacuna in the theory and interpretation of photography has made its use vacuous to a large extent. This inconsistent use, often lacking in rigor has further resulted in photography’s inability to claim a serious space for itself within the realm of methodological practices of these disciplines.

So if a picture is worth a thousand words then why does the written word still predominate the practice of sociology and social anthropology in particular and social sciences more generally?

The Department of Sociology at South Asian University calls for a conscious and rigorous engagement with this question by looking at photography as a method with a focus on the practice of sociology and anthropology in South Asia. The primary intent of the proposed workshop is to seriously explore the potentiality of photographs and photography as a methodological tool that could be used in conjunction with other methods in the practice of sociology and social anthropology as well as in other realms of social sciences which might inform the practice of these two disciplines in contemporary times. To do this, we believe it is necessary to bring together scholars from various disciplinary contexts to discuss and engage with the possibilities and challenges involved in the attempt to create a methodology around theory, interpretation and practice of photography within social sciences.

It is expected that selected papers from among those presented will contribute to a special volume on photography in the practice of sociology/anthropology in South Asia.

We invite abstracts not exceeding 500 words from interested scholars on any theme within the areas of interest outlined above.

Workshop date and venue:

Saturday 28th February 2015 @ South Asian University, Akbar Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021.

Co-conveners:

Sasanka Perera, Kumud Bhansali and Krishna Pandey, Department of Sociology, South Asian University, New Delhi

Deadlines and contact details:

Abstracts should be received by the conveners by 15th September 2014. Decisions will be communicated to potential paper presenters by 15th October 2014. Complete papers are expected to reach SAU by 1st January 2015. All communications regarding the conference as well as abstracts should be directed to: kumud.bhansali@gmail.com

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