Centre for the Study of Social Systems
School of Social Sciences
Jawaharlal Nehru University

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The Centre for the Study of Social Systems was established in 1971 for undertaking teaching and research in a comparative perspective in the two basic areas of sociology:(1) social structures and (2) social processes. The Centre was needed to encourage interdisciplinary approach to the study of social systems taking into consideration social, economic, political, religious and other such sub-systems.  The mandate was to evolve comparative perspectives for studying social system and its sub-systems  at both macro and micro levels.  

In pursuance of its mandate, the faculty, students and research staff of the Centre have, over the years, made valuable contributions in the following thrust areas:

  1. Sociology of Modernization and Development

  2. Sociology of Professions and Professionalisation

  3. Sociology of Social Stratification

  4. Sociology of Social Movements and Social Mobilization

  5. Studies of Marginalized Groups, Minorities and Dalits

  6. Sociology of Tribes and Ethnicity

  7. Sociology of Education

  8. Sociology of Knowledge

  9. Sociology of Gender and Gender Relations

  10. Sociology of the Indian Diaspora

  11. Sociology of Religion, and 

  12. Culture Studies

The research work and publications undertaken by the Centre reflect Centre's continued engagement in these areas with the emerging societal issues at local, national and global levels.  The Centre has made efforts in evolving innovative courses and research programmes to address some of these issues but these efforts need to be strengthened further by augmenting academic resources of the Centre.  The study and research in other areas as listed below need further consolidation:

  • Sociological Theory

  • Quantitative Methods in Social Research

  • Social Demography

  • Social Psychology

  • Historical Anthropology

  • Social Ecology

  • Sociology of Globalization 

  • Media Studies, and

  • Modern Indian Social Thought 

Collaboration with other universities and institutions
1. Albert Ludwig University, Freiburg, Germany
2. University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
3. University of Bergen, Norway
4. Johannes Keppler University, Linz, Austria