The Department of Sociology was started in the year 2005 on self-financing basis.

New Inclusion From the Emerging Fields in Curriculum:

Keeping in mind the recent developments in the field of Sociology, the department has incorporated some new topics in the syllabus in the year 2007-2008. Along with courses on classical sociological theory, contemporary feminist theory and a course on advanced sociological theory have been incorporated. To give an emphasis on the applied aspects of sociology, a special course on Civil Society and Civic Action has been incorporated.

Syllabus Upgradation:

The department has upgraded the Post Graduate syllabus in 2007giving importance to NET and SET Examination.

Moreover, for the benefit of the students, the Semester System of Examination has been introduced in the department in 2007.

Research Areas / Fields:

Ø             Marginalized Groups including Muslim and other minority groups, backward classes

Ø             Women Studies and Gender Issues

Ø             Tribal Health

Ø             Group Functioning

Projects:

1. Impact Assessment of Self Help Groups in Paschim Midnapore

Name of the Coordinators: Dr. S. A. H. Moinuddin and Dr. Damayanti Mukhopadhyay.

 Funding Agency: District Rural Development Cell, Paschim Midnapore Zilla  Parishad, West Bengal.

Total fund approved: Rs.1, 98,000.00

  Present Status: Completed.

2. Tribal Health and Traditional Wisdom : A Study on the Health Care Practices of the Lodhas and Santals.

Name of the Coordinator: Dr. Soumyajit Patra.

 Funding Agency: U. G. C

Total Fund Approved: Rs. 80, 000.00  

Present status: On going.

3. Women in Urban Politics  

Name of the Coordinator: Dr. S. A. H. Moinuddin  

Funding agency: UGC  

Total fund Approved: Rs. 16,000  

Present Status: Completed

3. The Groveling Muslims: Problems and Prospects - A Sociological Study in the Two |Districts of West Bengal

Name of the Coordinator: Dr. S. A. H. Moinuddin  

Funding agency: UGC  

Total fund Approved: Rs.   5.05L

Present Status: On going

Ph.D Programme:

• Mr. Arnab  Bandyopadhyay :  A Study on the Psychological and ethno-cultural characteristics as well as mental health status of the tribal community in Car Nicobar Island. (Joint Supervisors :  Professor Swapan Kumar Pramanick, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Vidyasagar University and  Dr. S. Dasgupta, Rtd.Professor of Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta)
• Smt. Tanima Chaudhuri -  Women wokers in the urban informal sector: The  case of workers in Rice Mills and Nursing Homes in Burdwan. (Supervisor :  Dr. S.A.H.Moinuddin.       Teacher-in-charge, Department of Sociology, Vidyasagar University)

Seminars\Workshops and Special Lectures Held:

Seminars:

1. A State level seminar on  Contextualising Caste was held on 18^th  March 2006.

2. A One-day seminar on Child Protection and Child Trafficking was held on 14th. February 2007.

3. Two-day National Seminar on Marginalized Groups: Problems and Prospects in

           Contemporary  India was held on  5 and 6 March 2008

Workshops  :

Orientation  Workshop for   Assessment Credit- Linked S.H.Gs under SGSY Programme in Keshpur Debra on 31^st. May 2007.

2.Orientation Workshop for : Assessment of SHGs in Paschim Midnapore District on 23^rd July 2007.

Special Lectures: 

1. Special Lectures on Sociology of Development by Professor B .N. Borthakur, Debrugarh University, Assam on 13 Novembar 2006.

2. Special Lecture on Sociology and Employment Opportunities in N. G. O. Sector by Smt. Veena  Lakhumanali, Deputy Director (Urban Services)  CINI –ASHA, Kolkatta.

Placement Status: 

Students of our Department have been placed in different schools, colleges and Non –government organizations.

Future Plan:

Considering women as the largest marginalized group in the world, the department proposes to set up a Center for Women’s Studies which aims to promote study, research, documentation and publication, training and consultancy on issues related to women, feminism, gender, sexuality with an objective to support women to understand their inner potentials to create a more gender just society .