It is presumed that the student has some familiarity with Indian society by virtue of the fact that she is a member of it and that she has observed and experienced some facets of it. However, this familiarity is likely to be superficial, selective and rather fragmentary. The course is aimed at rectifying these limitations by presenting a comprehensive, integrated and empirically-based profile of Indian society. This paper aims to analyze certain features specific to Indian society like caste system as well the status of women in the Indian society through ages.
Approaches to the study of Indian society: Indological, Structural, Culturological and Historical. Features of Indian Society; Cultural Plurality and Ethnic Diversity in India; Unity in Diversity
Demographic Dynamics and Trends in India. The Rural Society: Meaning and Features; Problems of Indian Villages. The Urban Society: Meaning and Feature; Problems of Urban Society. The Rural - Urban Contrast and Convergence.
Social Stratification: Concept and forms; Social Stratification in India: Caste System: Meaning, Characteristics and Functions; Theories of origin of Caste; Caste and Politics; Changes in the Caste System.
Class System in India: Meaning and features: Middle Class and Indian Culture; Future of Caste and Class in India.
Women and Society: Status of Women in various ages (Vedic, Post Vedic, Medieval, Modern and Independent India); Problems of Modern Women; Development and Welfare of Women.