The Department of Sociology has taken cognizance of the long-felt demand for the scholastic pursuit in the discipline of Sociology at the University level in the region of Assam, and for promoting an in-depth understanding and research of the various issues of North-East India contextualized in the region and global milieu and necessitated by contemporary developments. It has traversed its journey by starting off as an M.A. Programme in Sociology in the academic session 2009-10 under the auspices of the Department of Political Science, and continued upto 2010-11. During this brief period the programme was designed in a self-financing mode. Geared with a vision since its inception to progress to a Department of Sociology, the University is proud to have materialized it in 2011 and marks a milestone when the M.A. Programme in Sociology attained the status of a Postgraduate Programme in the Department of Sociology, which simultaneously comes into being. The Department also offers PhD program, and have successfully awarded 11 PhD degrees until now. The thesis’ have explored a wide range of social issues conducted by scholars from both national and international backgrounds. Following the guidelines and roadmap of the NEP , the Department has introduced the Four Year Integrated Program and Five Years Integrated Masters Program  .Currently the road map for the invigorating involvement and participation of students, members of the academia, other professionals and the wider society in the striving for excellence is successfully implemented.

Dr. Uddipan Dutta (M.A - Delhi, Ph.D.- Gau)

Scientific Officer

UG

        Syllabus- Major Course 

• imagetemp/B_A_ Sociology Honours CBCS revised in May 19(1).doc

            General Course

•  imagetemp/B_A_ Regular Course CBCS revised in May 19.doc

MA

• Seat Intake: 45
• Duration: 2 years
• MA Syllabus

Ph.D

• Ph.D Syllabus

Academics

The M.A. programme is designed to provide to the students an intensive orientation on sociological perspectives and a wide disciplinary gamut to choose from for their specialised interests. Its focus is to train students to develop critical understanding and to nurture in them the basic competency for conducting rigorous research so that they can enable themselves to be the next generation of social scientists and to be able to chart their courses in academics, government and the non-profit sector or private industry, such as NGOs, media, industry, health, education, public service, etc. to mention a few. A thorough understanding in Sociology enables one to grasp the divergent and the seemingly complex multifarious social issues from a holistic perspective and, thus, to extend their knowledge to other disciplines, particularly of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Therefore, continuous innovation and curriculum designing oriented to multidisciplinary perspective is another hallmark of this programme. Students who have gained a master's degree in other areas of Humanities and Social Sciences have pursued M.A. in Sociology in this Department, and several others have also been absorbed in social research projects and teaching positions. An optional paper in the Fourth Semester on Dissertation on any topic of choice strives to further develop the research acumen of the students and derive experience so that they may explore and find gainful engagement in social research in the future. Several alumni immediately upon completion of their course have been selected through screening processes to conduct doctoral research in other institutes of national importance outside this region.

Students and Alumni

The Department is proud that every year several of its students have been qualifying the UGC-NET and also been securing UGC-NET-JRF.

Several of the alumni of the Department, immediately upon completion of their course have continued their academic pursuits as doctoral research scholars in the Department. Some others of them have been selected, through reportedly rigorous screening processes, to pursue doctoral research in the other institutes of national importance outside North East India. Certain others have secured positions in teaching and non teaching job sectors as well as in field research activities.

The Department empasises on developing the spirit and culture of team work amongst the students and of learning through it and this has been emerging as the hallmark tradition of this Department.

Students’ participation in co-curricular activities

Following the principles of NEP 2020, the department encourages its students to participate in the process of inclusive learning by engaging in different co-curricular activities. In the varsity week 2025 the students have participated with a collective approach and full enthusiasm. This collective approach has bagged several prizes in the different events of the varsity week, both at individual and group events. In addition to this, in the recently concluded Girjananda Chowdhury University annual festival ‘Euphuism’ the drama team of the department, have begged second best drama team Award. As the process of inclusive development of the students, the department envisage the policy of continuous encouragement for the co-curricular activities of the students.

Department of Sociology
Gauhati University, Guwahati 781014, Assam
Email : sociology@gauhati.ac.in
Phone No: 9864018526/ 9706109961
Web   : gauhati.ac.in/arts/sociology

 Research Scholars

Peer Teaching Peer Learning Policy

To make learning interesting and participatory, the Department has adopted thepolicy of‘Peer Teaching Peer Learning’. In this innovative practice of learning, thesenior students of the department will guide their junior counterparts in preparing for NET/JRF, SLET and other competitive examinations as well as clearing their doubts related with anyacademic matter.

The practice of ‘Peer Learning and Peer Teaching’ is introduced to enhance student engagement, foster collaboration, promote active learning, and improve knowledge retention and critical thinking, ultimately leading to better learning outcomes and social skills development.

On the 6th of November 2024, the Department of Sociology at Gauhati University officially inaugurated a discussion forum designated as SOCIOKATHA - Dialoguing Sociology. Envisioned and concocted by Professor Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Head of the Department of Sociology, the initiative is intended to serve and realize the department's vision to intertwine the societal realities with the pursuits of academics. The core objective of the forum is to make sociological pursuit – both in teaching and research more engaging, interactive and collaborative enterprise. Through the cultivation of an environment that emphasizes dialogue, mutual cooperation, and intellectual synergy, the forum aspires to significantly enrich the academic experience while simultaneously fortifying the contributions of students, faculty, and researchers to the expansive field of sociology, thereby fostering a robust academic community dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society.

The series has covered diverse topics, reflecting the evolving nature of sociological inquiry, Eachepisodes features distinguished speakers, fostering a platform for critical engagement and intellectual exchange.

Reports of Socio Katha- Dialoguing Sociology

1) Episode 1- Date :06/11/2024

Theme: URBAN LANDSCAPE IN GUWAHATI: GROWING CONTESTATIONS

Date: 6^thNovember ,2024.

Moderator: Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta.

Initiators: 1) Ritwik Rupam Sarma & 2) Bonti Neog

The Department of Sociology, Gauhati University launched a new forum named SOCIO KATHA - Dialoguing Sociology on 6th November 2024. The core objective of the forum is to make sociological pursuit – both in teaching and research more interactive and collaborative. The forum was inaugurated by Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Head, Department of Sociology, Gauhati University. In his inaugural remarks Prof Dutta said: 'Sociological research has undergone unprecedented transformations in the recent past. While sociology is the master discipline in interdisciplinary research in social sciences, the growing interests of interdisciplinarity in other social sciences have opened up new avenues for collaborative sociological research. The growing penetration of Artificial Intelligence in every domain of social life has posed new challenges to the researchers of social sciences in general and sociological research in particular.'

Participating as the invited Guest in the event Prof. Jayanta Krishna Sarmah, Head, Department of Political Science and the Dean, Faculty of Arts of the University narrated his own exposure to the areas like medical psychology while doing his research in the United States as a post-doctoral fellow. He pointed that the researchers of political science in Gauhati University have also undertaken a number of sociological issues and thereby have opened up avenues of collaborative research with the Department of Sociology.

There were two interesting presentations made by Ritwik Rupam Sarma and Bonti Neog,both being research scholars of the Department. Mr. Sarma’s presentation focused on the transformations of the urban fringes under the growing expansion of the cities. With theoretical insights he has been exploring the changing physiological landscape and the land and livelihood patterns of the tribal communities in Sonapur Revenue circle, particularly of the tribal communities due to the massive expansion of Guwahati city. Taking part as a discussant Dr. Shabeena Yasmin Saikia, Associate Professor in the Department brought in numerous examples of the transformations of the overall physiological, demographic, cultural and livelihood landscape of the Guwahati city in last two decades and so. Dr. Saikia pointed out that the landmarks of the city two decades ago has completely vanished with the massive constructions in every nook and corner of the city having tremendous impact on the natives in the city, particularly the tribal communities.

Miss Bonti Neog spoke on the menstruation practices of the Nepali community which is hugely influenced by the culture of the community. With theoretical insights and empirical evidences, she pointed out that the practices and rituals around menstruation driven by the culture of the community reinforce patriarchy in the society. Taking part as a discussant Miss Gargee Das, research scholar of the Department of the Women’s Studies of the University brought in the different layers of cultural practices around menstruation of respective communities. She also pointed out the perceived notions of hygiene around the cultural practices around menstruation. The event was attended by the faculty members, research scholars and the Post Graduate and Under Graduate Students of the Department of Sociology, Gauhati University and was moderated by Uddipana Kashyap, Guest Faculty in the Department.

2) Episode 2- Date :13/11/2024

Date: 13^th November ,2024.

Theme : URBAN LANDSCAPE IN GUWAHATI :GROWING CONTESTATIONS Moderator : Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta .

Initiators : 1) Dr. Shabeena Yasmin Saikia & 2) Bondita Saikia

The Department of Sociology, Gauhati University launched a new forum named SOCIO KATHA - Dialoguing Sociology on 6th November 2024. The core objective of the forum is to make sociological pursuit – both in teaching and research more interactive and collaborative. The second session of the ‘Socio Katha’ on 13th November ,2024, was graced by a beautiful song presented by Chandrawali Borthakur, BA 1st Semester, Gauhati University.

Professor Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Head, Department of Sociology, in his initial remarks stated that 'Socio Katha' steers dialoguing as a critical framework for analysing societal dynamics. He also emphasized the necessity of transcending the regimented education system to foster critical thinking. Prof. Dutta, then highlighted the significance of urbanization in sociological inquiry, referring to many sociological interventions. He particularly brought in the perspectives of Henry Lefebvre on production of space and David Harvey's seminal concept of right to the city as well the rebellious city and its intersection with Urban Ecology. There were two interesting presentations made by Dr. Shabeena Yasmin Saikia, Associate Professor, Dept. of Sociology and Bondita Saikia, research scholar of the Department.Dr. Shabeena Yasmin Saikia, in her presentation, took the audience into the world of the Karbi’s of Guwahati, exploring the complex and often challenging journey of urbanization faced by this tribal community. She delved into the crossroads of identity, resilience, and transformation as the Karbi’s navigate their move to the urban landscape, balancing the retention of their cultural roots with the demands of city life. Her presentation aimed to uncover the unique contours of urbanization in the Global South, revealing the nuances and layered complexities that make this experience so distinctive.

The second presentation by Bondita Saikia,titled: 'Understanding Gendered Spaces and Agency In Arikati Slum Of Guwahati City', is an attempt to explore the discourse of gender-space configuration and an attempt to create a more inclusive approach of understanding of sociological literature on gender and space which would serve as a niche for comprehending theoretical foundations of sociological research, more specifically gender - sensitive research.

Furthermore,Sanghamitra Choudhury, Research scholar, of the Dept. of Pol.Science, gave her insights into the concept of neo liberal patriarchy . The event graciously ended , with a heart-warming performance by students Sabyasachi Das &PratyushHaloi of the MA 1st ,Semester ,Dept. of Sociology ,GU .

This session delved into the intersections of urbanization, power relations, and cultural norms, seeking to understand the nuances of urban ecology and its implications for the society.The event was attended by the faculty members, research scholars , the Post Graduate and Under Graduate Students of the Department of Sociology, Gauhati University and was moderated by Uddipana Kashyap, Guest Faculty in the Department. It ended with the concluding remarks by Swarnali Basumatary, Assistant Professor of the Department.

3) Episode 3- Date :19/11/2024

Special Lecture on : Reading Sociological Texts
Department of Sociology, Gauhati University.
Date: 19^thNovember ,2024.
Speaker : Prof. Rabin Deka , Dept. of Sociology ,Tezpur University.
Moderator : Dr. Shabeena Yasmin Saikia, Associate Prof. Dept. of Sociology , Gauhati University.

The Department of Sociology, Gauhati University organized a special lecture on the topic “Reading Sociological Texts” on 19th November , 2024. The event aimed to provide expert insights and knowledge from the speaker , promoting a holistic understanding of the topic . Furthermore it sought to inspire and motivate students encouraging active participation in discussions and fostering critical thinking.

Dr Shabeena Yasmin Saikia , opened the session with an insightful silhouette of the Department of Sociology , Gauhati University , tracing the outlines of its academic programs and institutional history.Dr Saikia , introduced the speaker of the event , Prof. Rabin Deka to the audience , illuminating his remarkable academic journey, research contributions, and expertise spanning multiple facets of Sociology.

Prof. Rabin Deka’s , academic contributions reflect his deep engagement with key social and historical issues in Assam. His doctoral research focussed on the Peasant movement in Assam tracing the Uprisings of Phulaguri and Patharughat during the colonial period. One of his innumerable works is on the land relations of Satra institutions of Assam.

Prof. Deka has critically examined the caste and class dynamics of the region ,which continue to be a complex and pivotal issue in regard to Assam. His scholarship also extends to the intersection of religion and society, exploring themes such as the Bhakti Movement of Sankardeva and the advent of modernity in Assam. A significant aspect of his research lies in addressing themes through the lens of social Inclusion and exclusion including women’s reproductive health and women’s work participation .

Prof. Rabin Deka’s expertise on North East India, its society, culture and polity and his vast experience with students and research scholars offers us with an opportunity and a platform today to deepen our sociological insights and expand our horizons.

Prof. Rabin Deka, began his lecture with a heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Head ,Department of Sociology, Gauhati University, faculty members ,students and research scholars present in the event and expressed his appreciation for Gauhati University.

Transitioning into the event's theme, Prof. Deka chose to focus his lecture on approaches to understanding Karl Marx. He provided an overview of the evolution of classical sociological approaches, setting the stage for an engaging discussion.Prof. Deka , presented a nuanced critique of Marx’s ideology , understanding its core principles and evaluating the simplified or strategic and intentional distortions of Karl Marx’s ideology. He stressed that it was important to contextualize Marx within his historical framework.

Prof. Deka noted that Marx's intellectual legacy has been misrepresented, often portraying him as a rigid and one-dimensional thinker, thereby distorting the complexity of his ideas. And that it becomes important to understand his work as a critical, evolving framework for analysing and transforming society, grounded in material conditions but open to diverse interpretations and applications.

In his thought-provoking speech, Prof. Deka drew attention to several significant aspects, notably:

a) Dialectical Approach
Marx's dialectical approach is a way of understanding the ever-changing and interconnected nature of society and history.

b) Reduction to Economic Determinism
Critics have often oversimplified Marx's ideas, focusing only on economics while overlooking his deeper insights into culture, politics, and the role of ideas in shaping society.

Misrepresentation of Marx's Goals

Marx is often seen as promoting a rigid, utopian vision of society. In reality, he avoided laying out detailed plans for communism, believing that the future should be shaped through struggle and collective efforts by the people.

c) Marx’s idea of humanity
Marx saw humanity as a unified whole . Marx argued that in the capitalist society , humans become alienated from their labour, product , fellow humans and finally they become alienated from themselves . Marx believes that it is in the capacity of human nature to overcome alienation through social and collective cooperation, leading to a classless society. Marx criticised capitalism of reducing people into mere commodities and human relations into market transactions , restricting their full potential.

Furthermore , Prof. Deka emphasizes that a philosophical orientation is crucial for understanding Marx’s ideology , as it provides perspectives, informs theory-building, and fosters critical thinking, conceptual clarity, and interdisciplinary connections.
Further , drawing upon the topic of discussion , Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta, provided a nuanced conclusion, exploring the conceptual foundations of liberalism .He emphasized that liberalism relies on two key principles :

1) Human wisdom &
2) Human consent.

Building on John Locke's influential ideas, Prof. Dutta , highlighted the philosopher's triad of essential rights, which form the foundation of liberal thought:
John Locke's Triad of Essential Rights:

1. Right to Property
2. Right to Life
3. Right to Liberty

Prof. Dutta , further sheds light into Adam Smith’s views on wealth and inequality. Adam Smith recognized that economic growth and wealth creation can lead to inequality. He identified several factors contributing to inequality, such as:

i) Natural differences
ii) Division of labour
iii)Accumulation of wealth.

Thereby leading to domination and subjugation.

Prof. Dutta in his speech emphasizes the need to understand the human agency , he endorses that Marx cannot be reduced to one dimensional perspective or dogmatic.Prof .Dutta concluded his speech by extending warm regards and gratitude to the speaker of the event ,highlighting upon the immense benefit of the lecture by expanding the horizon of understanding Marx.The event was attended by the faculty members, research scholars , the Post Graduate and Under Graduate Students of the Department of Sociology, Gauhati University and was moderated by Uddipana Kashyap, Guest Faculty in the Department.

4) Episode 4

Date – 20^th November, 2024
Theme – Understanding Sociology: Perspectives from Literature and Urban Anthropology
Moderator- Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta
Initiators- 1) Prof. Nandana Dutta, Department of English Literature, G.U., 2) Prof. Mini Bhattacharyya Thakur, Department of Anthropology, G.U.

The Department of sociology successfully organized a series of dialogues “Socio Katha” which brought together academics and students for an engaging intellectual discussion. The core objective of the forum aimed to foster meaningful dialogue in the field of sociology offering a platform for effectively guiding the discussion in a thoughtful exchange of ideas.

The session of the ‘Socio Katha’ on 20th November, 2024, was commenced with a captivating chorus (Rod PuwaborKarone by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika) performed by 1std and 3rd semester students of Under graduate program, Gauhati University.

As part of the program, Teaching Associate, Anushka Dutta provided a brief yet insightful overview of the esteemed guests, highlighting their remarkable academic endeavours. Further, Dr. Akhil Ranjan Dutta delivered an inspiring welcome speech, emphasizing the importance of intellectual dialogue and critical thinking.

Professor Nandana Dutta delivered an insightful lecture on what exactly literature means, referencing Jean Paul Satre’s What is Literature? to highlight its role in addressing societal truths. She stressed the connection between Sociology and Literature showing how societal norms and human behavior shapes literary works and thus fostering an appetite for reading.She also discussed sociological research methodology, highlighting its role in understanding social process and stressing on daily practices and narratives of social discourse by referencing Michel De Certeau’s The Practice of Everyday Life and TemsulaAo’s Naga Way of Life.She continued with the vital contributions of shared role of Sociology in the field of Literature and highlighted the literary works that create a common bridge between the two disciplines.

She concluded with a brief discussion on Sociology of Literature and also emergence of new narratives of Power and History in the respective field.

The program was continued with a poem recitation by Mr. Ritwik Rupam Sarma, titled “Coffee” which throws sociological understanding of coffee.

The second session was carried on by Professor Mini Bhattacharyya Thakur, who began with an insightful discussion on how the platform of Socio Katha provides a space for different disciplines to interact with each other and move beyond the subjective knowledge limited within the corridors of respective field. She also talked about an anthropological research method, participant observation referencing William Foote Whyte’s study of urban life. She highlighted emerging research areas in urban anthropology such as population ageing, population increase, family structure, urban planning, study of neighbourhoods, public space and green space, transportation etc. She concluded her lecture with the importance of ‘applied value’ in research and its contribution to the society with ethical standards.The program ended with an open floor for questions and answers, fostering an engaging exchange of ideas.

This session delved into the intersections of various disciplines, focusing on topics such as urban anthropology, sociology and literature and research methodology. Participants exchanged ideas and engaged in meaningful dialogues and thus resulting in an interactive session highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary approaches.

The event was attended by the faculty members, research scholars, the Post Graduate and Under Graduate Students of the Department of Sociology, Gauhati University and was moderated by Uddipana Kashyap, Guest Faculty in the Department. It ended with the concluding remarks by Dr. Kaberi Das, Assistant Professor of the Department.

5) Episode 5- Date :18/03/2025 

Date: 18^th March,2025

Theme – The Impact of Colonial Sociology in Assam

Moderator- Swarnali Basumatary, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Gauhati University.

Initiator- Dr. Madhumita Sengupta, Associate Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Gandhinagar
As a part of the lecture series ‘Socio-Katha, the Department of Sociology, Gauhati University, organized a special lecture on the topic “The Impact of Colonial Sociology in Assam” on 18^th March, 2025. The event was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the colonial processes of caste enumeration and its influence in shaping the social structure, while also creating a deeper engagement with historical and sociological perspectives. 

Swarnali Basumatary opened the session by acknowledging Dr. Madhumita Sengupta, for her extensive contributions to the fields of modern and colonial history, social history, and the intersections of religion, language, and politics. She highlighted the significance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding the multifaceted impact of colonialism. Dr. Sengupta’s lecture provided an insightful exploration of the colonial caste enumeration practices in Assam, drawing from her research on identity formation and social change. Her acclaimed book, Becoming Assamese: Colonialism and New Subjectivities in Northeast India (Routledge, 2016), served as a foundational reference during the discussion.She highlighted how colonial administrative systems categorized and classified communities based on rigid caste identities, significantly impacting social structures. From detailed analysis of old archives, she demonstrated how such classifications influenced social mobility and political representation. Dr. Sengupta also emphasized how these historical categorizations continue to resonate in contemporary Assam.

Dr. Sengupta presented a critical analysis on how colonial documentation shaped and reshaped indigenous identities, while simultaneously emphasizing deep-rooted caste hierarchies. The lecture further addressed the role of census operations in shaping colonial knowledge systems. Her perspective on the complex implications of colonial influence in regional social structures prompted scholarly discourse to address that it still continues to be evident. During the interactive session, participants engaged in discussions on critically examining historical narratives, challenging ingrained colonial viewpoints, and exploring the role of academic research in promoting equitable social policies. Dr. Sengupta also emphasized the importance of contextualizing historical events within broader socio-political frameworks. The event concluded with remarks from Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Head of the Department, Department of Sociology, who commended Dr. Sengupta for her engaging presentation. He discusses the transition from the pre-colonial to the contemporary period, highlighting key changes in governance, society, and economy. In the pre-colonial era, communities were organized around traditional leadership structures, including kingdoms, chiefdoms, and clan-based systems. With the onset of colonial rule, external powers imposed new administrative systems, centralized power, restructured economies to serve imperial interests, and altered social structures, often leading to cultural erosion and resistance. He emphasizes the need to understand these transitions to appreciate the complexities of modern society and governance. The programme was facilitated by Ritwik Rupam Sharma. He concluded his speech by extending warm regards and gratitude to the speaker of the event, highlighting upon the immense benefit of the lecture.

The special lecture witnessed the enthusiastic participation of faculty members, research scholars, FYIMP and postgraduate students of the department. It served as an enriching experience that broadened the participants' understanding of Assam’s colonial past and its continuing influence on society today.