The Department of Sociology is one of the oldest Departments in the University, started in 1980. Originally the department was functioning as part of Madurai Kamaraj University Post Graduate Extension Centre with two/three faculty members for about a decade. It become a full fledged department when it was incorporated into Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in 1990.
To produce post graduates and researchers, who develop broad knowledge about the contemporary world with unique analytical skills and the ability to think critically and constructively, and to solve problems through team work.
The faculty members have undertaken several major projects funded by UGC, ICSSR, UNICEF, BNRS (DAE) Board of Nuclear Research Science (Department of Atomic Energy) for an amount exceeding Rs 15 lakhs, during the last five years. In association with the Institute of Traditional Medicine, the faculty members carry out research on social aspects of traditional medicine
In 2015, the Department has signed MoUs with European Universities such as the Aarhus University, Denmark and the University of Warsaw, Poland. The Department has done collaborative research with Sociologists associated with the Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Budapest, Hungary and Swansea University, U.K., Institute of Traditional Medicine, France have been undertaken. Students are trained and involved in field work in collaboration with two leading NGO’s in Tirunelveli namely Navajeevan Trust and Vaan Muhil, in such areas as eradication of child labour, women development and empowerment, and human rights. The areas are socially quite relevant to this region.
Besides regular academic programmes involving teaching and research activities, the department in collaboration with leading voluntary organisations has been actively involved in conducting socially relevant outreach programmes for the development of socially and economically disadvantageous sections of the local communities.
As part of population education programme, the department, in collaboration with Population Development Education (UGC Scheme) and Navajeevan Trust, conducted medical camps and organised a series of health awareness programmes for different target groups such as Transgender, Youth, Self-Help Groups involving NGOs, health professionals and students.More specifically, our activities centre around issues related to health, poverty, rural, livehood, dowry and exploitation of women and children.
The department has made a special achievement of getting sanctioned UGC’s scheme of Centre for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy involving a total grant of Rs 2 crores. Our faculty members have received awards and honours such as Shastri Indo-Canadian Fellowship, Common Wealth Fellowship, and European Union Fellowship. The contributions of our faculty members have been recognized and they have been presented with awards by Indian Red Cross Society, Indian International Friendship Society, and Rotary Club for their meritorious contributions in their respective fields. Besides, our faculty members have made significant contribution to the university administration as Member Syndicate, Dean of Arts, Controller of Examinations, Research Co-ordinator, Director of Youth Welfare, and Director of Buddhist Studies, Additional Controller of Examinations, IQAC Co-ordinator and Director of Women’s Studies Centre Coordinator, Erasmus Mundus Fellowship, Director, Centre for Diaspora Studies, etc.
