Introducing Indian Society |
Perspectives on the study of Indian society |
- Indology (GS. Ghurye).
- Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
- Marxist sociology (A R Desai).
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Impact of colonial rule on Indian society |
- The social background of Indian nationalism.
- Modernization of Indian tradition.
- Protests and movements during the colonial period.
- Social reforms.
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Social Structure |
Rural and Agrarian Social Structure |
- The idea of Indian village and village studies.
- Agrarian social structure – an evolution of land tenure system, land reforms
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Caste System |
- Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
- Features of the caste system.
- Untouchability – forms and perspectives.
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Tribal communities in India |
- Definitional problems.
- Geographical spread.
- Colonial policies and tribes.
- Issues of integration and autonomy.
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Social Classes in India |
- Agrarian class structure.
- Industrial class structure.
- Middle classes in India
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Systems of Kinship in India |
- Lineage and descent in India.
- Types of kinship systems.
- Family and marriage in India.
- Household dimensions of the family.
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Religion and Society |
- Religious communities in India.
- Problems of religious minorities.
- Patriarchy, entitlements, and sexual division of labor
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Social Changes in India |
Visions of Social Change in India |
- The idea of development planning and mixed economy.
- Constitution, law, and social change.
- Education and social change.
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Rural and Agrarian transformation in India |
- Programs of rural development, Community Development Programme, cooperatives, poverty alleviation schemes.
- Green revolution and social change.
- Changing modes of production in Indian agriculture.
- Problems of rural labor, bondage, migration.
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Industrialization and Urbanisation in India |
- Evolution of modern industry in India.
- Growth of urban settlements in India.
- Working-class: structure, growth, class mobilization.
- The informal sector, child labor.
- Slums and deprivation in urban areas.
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Politics and Society |
- Nation, democracy, and citizenship.
- Political parties, pressure groups, social and political elite.
- Regionalism and decentralization of power.
- Secularization
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Social Movements in Modern India |
- Peasants and farmer’s movements.
- Women’s movement.
- Backward classes & Dalit movement.
- Environmental movements.
- Ethnicity and Identity movements.
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Population Dynamics |
- Population size, growth, composition, and distribution.
- Components of population growth: birth, death, migration.
- Population policy and family planning.
- Emerging issues: aging, sex ratios, child and infant mortality, reproductive health.
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Challenges of Social Transformation |
- Crisis of development: displacement, environmental problems, and sustainability.
- Poverty, deprivation, and inequalities.
- Violence against women.
- Caste conflicts.
- Ethnic conflicts, communalism, religious revivalism.
- Illiteracy and disparities in education.
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