APPENDIX Q
SOCIOLOGY IN THE DEGREE COURSES OF THE UNIVERSITIES
 

The memorandum submitted by the University of Bombay, at whose instance the Secretary of the Inter-University Board, India, suggested the subject for discussion, is reproduced below:-

"As will be seen from the report on social service in this Province the field for social service is large and that there are a number of independent bodies, with or without any background of training in social history and social work. Further, it will be seen that there does not exist any co-ordination of even similar activities. This state of affairs is by no means desirable, though one may agree as to the value of individual initiative in social service. Me study of Sociology by a large number of graduates will provide the next generation with a number of people, who if they are minded to do social work besides their usual and Ordinary occupation, would have some knowledge of the social history of their country, the social problems and the methods of tackling them tried in England. America and other, countries. The Department of Sociology will naturally provide the nucleus for all such bodies and individuals to start their work from."

2. The present position with regard to the teaching of Sociology in Universities is as follows :-

Sociology is included as au optional paper under Philosophy for the B.A. Hons. examination in the Annamalai University under History add Philosophy for the M.A. examination in the University of Bombay, where this subject also forms a separate Department under Economics for the M.A. examination in the Calcutta University and under Political Science for the B.A. Hons examination and under Economics for both the B.A. and M.A. examinations in the University of Lucknow. It is also taught as an optional subject as 'Social Economics' under Economics for the B.A. Hons. examination in the Madras University and tinder Economics and History for the B.A. Examination in the Travancore University. The subject 'Social Institutions' forms an optional subject under Economics for the B.A. Hons. examination in the Annamalai University, while in the Andhra University "Social Philosophy" is taught as an optional subject tinder Philosophy for the B.A. Hons. examination. Sociology is a separate optional subject for the B.A. Pass and Hons. examinations in the Mysore University.

3. The Social Service and Public Administration Committee of the Central Advisory Board of Education which met in November 1940, recommended, inter alia that every University in India should have a department for extra-mural work in charge of an officer who has had a thorough training in Social Service. The Board at their meeting held in January 1941 adopted the Committee's report generally but decided that before implementing its recommendations Provincial Governments and voluntary agencies of all-India character should be requested to furnish detailed information regarding (i) existing agencies engaged in social service in their areas (including Universities), (ii) the scope of their activities, (iii) their relation to one another and the means adopted to co-ordinate their activities. As desired by the Board the necessary information was obtained from the authorities concerned and placed before the Board at their meeting held in January 1942. of the three Universities which furnished information, the Madras University was of the opinion that no action was called for at present and the Travancore University stated that it encouraged private, agencies engaged in social service work while the Nagpur University agreed with all the recommendations except that relating to the institution of an extra-mural department in each University on the ground that for financial reason the appointment of a trained officer for extra-mural department was not practicable.

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