WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

Students and Teachers of the Department of Sociology – 2023.

• Introduction

The Department of Sociology, Women’s Christian College, is one of the youngest department which has been able to carve a niche for itself in a short span of time since its inception as a General Subject in the year 2005. Honours course in Sociology was introduced for the academic session 2012-13. Ms Aditi Basu joined the Department of Sociology on 26^th September 2005. She taught for nine months and resigned on 10^th May 2006. On 1^st July 2006 Mrs. Anwesha Pathak Chatterjee joined the Department of Sociology. At present, the Department of Sociology has 4 teachers.

The Department of Sociology, Women’s Christian College is under the University of Calcutta, hence follows the syllabus as framed by the University of Calcutta. The Department of Sociology shares a very healthy, as well as friendly relationship with the students. The students mostly come from middleclass urban families. 

The subject matter of Sociology is human society. Obviously human society cannot be studied in totality by remaining within the confines of classroom teaching. Hence, the faculty members follow different methods of teaching. Apart from classroom teaching discussion and debates, efforts are made to use scientific technology in the teaching process. Application of computers, especially power point presentations are made by the faculty members. The visual impact of power point presentation is immense and has a positive impact on our students. Tutorials classes are also taken up by the faculty members. In tutorial classes interaction with students at an individual level, help the faculty members to understand students and their problems, thereby they can improvise their classroom teaching. It also helps to develop a personal / healthy bond with the students of the department. Students present papers on topics taught, or any topic of social relevance where they get an opportunity to express their views. It helps the students to think critically and their critical / analytical skills can be developed.

• Special Features of the Department:

• Organizing Seminars, Special Lectures and Screening of Documentaries pertaining to topics of social relevance.
• Departmental Meetings are held at least once every month where the faculty members discuss about different aspects such as distribution of syllabus, conducting mid-term examinations, organization of seminars/departmental lectures.

• Parent-Teacher Meetings are regularly held where teachers interact with the parents of students and discuss their academic progress. Attendance related issues, issues of punctuality etc. are also discussed. The department makes an effort to find out any grievances the parents or students have and try to solve such grievances through mutual discussion. 
• Regular Feedback from students on academic matters such as the teaching process followed, completion of syllabi etc. are taken at the end of the academic session. 
• The Central Library of the college has more than 300 books of Sociology and innumerable social science journals.

However, the department is just not a forum for imparting formal academic knowledge in Sociology. The faculty members encourage students to also consider the department as an active forum where they can vent their creative energies, in the form of writing, drama, dance etc. On our part, influenced by the encouragement we receive from our Principal, Dr. Ajanta Paul, the faculty members of the department continue to find avenues where students can express their talents and potentialities both within and beyond the department.We, the Department of Sociology, hope that the three / four years students spend with us would be an enriching experience for all of us.