The Centre for the Study of Religion and Society is a recognised Centre of Department of Sociology, Jadavpur University.
The principal aim of the Centre is to initiate a nuanced study of the realities of the modern world in which religion is an important feature, just as it has been in previous generations albeit today in a rather different shape. It will also promote a study of various aspects of religion in relation to society with the central purpose of encouraging scholars to explore deeper the more tolerant and universalizing features of religion both in the present and in the past as well as religion’s more challenging features. In resisting the spiral of societal hatred between groups of various religious orientations and exploring the multiple realities of ethnic, social and religious diversity, the centre wishes to promote respect and cooperation through increased knowledge of what religions are and do, their principles and values as well as the living practices of their adherents. The Centre is committed to do whatever is required to its best ability in order to undertake programs based on the above mentioned guidelines.
The principal aim of the Centre is to initiate a nuanced study of the realities of the modern world in which religion is an important feature, just as it has been in previous generations albeit today in a rather different shape. It will also promote a study of various aspects of religion in relation to society with the central purpose of encouraging scholars to explore deeper the more tolerant and universalizing features of religion both in the present and in the past as well as religion’s more challenging features. In resisting the spiral of societal hatred between groups of various religious orientations and exploring the multiple realities of ethnic, social and religious diversity, the centre wishes to promote respect and cooperation through increased knowledge of what religions are and do, their principles and values as well as the living practices of their adherents. The Centre is committed to do whatever is required to its best ability in order to undertake programs based on the above mentioned guidelines.
Co-ordinator Of Centre :
Dr. Ruby Sain
Coordinator,
Centre for the Study of Religion and Society,
Department of Sociology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-32. INDIA.
Contact No: 9433173073(m); Ext. 2457 2164(O)
Email Address: rsainjdvu@gmail.com
Coordinator,
Centre for the Study of Religion and Society,
Department of Sociology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-32. INDIA.
Contact No: 9433173073(m); Ext. 2457 2164(O)
Email Address: rsainjdvu@gmail.com
| About Us |
| The Centre for the Study of Religion and Society is a recognised Centre of Department of Sociology, Jadavpur University for the study of religion in relation to culture, society and philosophies from all periods and parts of the world. Nonetheless, the centre is particularly dedicated to study Indias cultural heritage and promoting a better understanding of it through a comprehensive programme of education, publication, and research. The CSRS is committed to maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity, originality, and excellence. Its main field is the sociology of religion but it encourages all kinds of interdisciplinary research. |
| CSRS past |
| The CSRS was founded in 21ST December , 2011 as the Indias first academy of its kind for the specific study of the relation between religion and society. Since its inception the Centre has attracted world-class scholars and students, launched pioneering educational projects, and developed socio- religious studies in cooperation with international students and scholars. |
| CSRS present |
| The Centre for the Study of Religion and Society is at the forefront of a new national and international interest in Religious Studies, continually expanding its ability to serve the scholarly community, its students and the public. Today the CSRS provides comprehensive academic programmes that include lectures, seminars, and conferences. |
| CSRS future |
| In order to provide the best resources and facilities for gifted scholars, the CSRS is committed to developing lectureships and scholarships, preservation programs, innovative research, and significant cooperations with leading public and private institutions. Some of the plans for the future include: |
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| What we do |
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| What we want to do |
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| Organisation |
| Members of Academic Committee : |
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| External Experts |
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| Members of Administrative Committee |
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| Fellows |
| Senior Associate Fellows |
| Academic Advisory Council |
| Fund Management Committee |
| Book keeper |
| Newsletter Team: |
| Dr. Ruby Sain, Editor, Centre for the Study of Religion and Society, [033-24146666, Extn. 2164, +919433173073 (M)], |
| Joint Editors: Prof. Sumita Sen and Ms. Titasha Sinha. |
| Members: |
| Dr. Sumita Saha, |
| Ms. Mallarika Sarkar |
| Ms. Nabanita Das, |
| Ms. Suvra Bhattacharyya |
News |
| Dr.Sumita Saha and Dr. Ruby Sain have published one book entitled " Depression Among the Elderly", Serials Publications , New Delhi, 2012. |
Lectures |
| Lectures are a key part of the CSRS programme. One of our goals is to make lectures delivered at the Centre for the Study of Religion and Society accessible to all. To that end we make them available as a book form. |
| Previous lectures |
| Topic: "The Relevance of Swami Vivekananda Today" Date: 11th January, 2012. |
| The Centre for the Study of Religion and Society in collaboration with NSS, JU organized an International Seminar on 11th January, 2012 on the topic: "The Relevance of Swami Vivekananda Today" to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Dr. Ruby Sain, the co-ordinator of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Society delivered the introductory address introduced the speakers to the audience. Prof. Bijon Sarkar, Department of Production Engineering and Co-ordinator, Swami Vivekananda Centre for Technical Manpower Development, Jadavpur University was the first speaker of the International Seminar who highlighted on the various facets of the personality and thoughts of Swami |
| Vivekananda. The author wonderfully pointed out on the aspects that make Swami Vivekananda extremely relevant in todays world. Dr. Ferdinando Sardella, researcher, Uppsala University, Department of Theology, Uppsala, Sweden was the next speaker who through his lucid power point presentation and speech related from a different perspective his perceptions of how ahead Swami Vivekananda was of his time. The seminar clearly depicted through the insights of the speakers the significance of Swami Vivekananda and the need for cultivating and motivating young minds towards discussions about religion from an academic perspective. The presentations were followed by a lively question and answer session that brought out many important issues. The seminar ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Ruby Sain. |
| Lecture on the topic: "Ethics and Community in the Caitanya Vaisnava Tradition" Date: 27th January, 2012. |
| Speaker: Prof. Joseph T. O Connell, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Canada |
| Prof. Connell delivered a talk on the ethics and community on the Caitanya Vaisnava tradition. The Caitanya Vaisnava community, the area extensively studied by the speaker, brought alive a wide array of the different aspects of their lives and practices. Not only did it inspire the audience but also the talk encouraged a new interest for the study of that community. |
| An International Seminar on the Topic: "Religion, Society and Post-modernity" Date: 9th February, 2012 |
| The day-long international Seminar began with registration and reception of the guests, dignitaries, speakers and students from across the globe. Prof. P. N. Ghosh, Vice Chancellor, Jadavpur University, Kolkata chaired the Inaugural Session where he identified the need of finding the position of religion in the modern world. It started with a welcome address delivered by Dr. Ruby Sain. Guest of Honour: Shri Ujjal Biswas, Honble Minister-in-Charge, Food Processing and Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal wished the Centre good luck and identified the universal nature of religion and pointed out at the interconnectedness of religion, man and society. Religion also has been identified by him as one of the most important forces that contributes towards overall human development. The Session ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Sumita Sen, Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University. After a short coffee-break Academic Session I started, which was chaired by the late Prof. Joseph OConnell, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Canada. In this session Prof. Achintya Biswas, Head, Department of Bengali, JU, Kolkata delivered a lecture on the topic: Folklore and Folk Deities with Special Reference to Eastern India. The speaker analyzed the folklore and folk deities as forms of religion and brought into light the extensive role of ritual, totem, and taboo. Prof. Manik Bhattacharyya, Principal, Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College, Kolkata was the next speaker of the Session who spoke on the topic: "Religion and Law".He talked about how law is intrinsically linked with society and religion. The instrumental role played by law and religion are somewhat similar, law acts to control the external behaviour of man while the internal regulations are conducted by religion. Both act to discipline human individuals. The following lecture by Dr Fabrizio M. Ferrari, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies and Hinduism, University of Chester, UK talked about "Supernatural affliction, injustice and uneven development: The Revolutionary Element in Bengali Folk Healing".He highlighted on the role of rituals, illness, health and the role of healers. Illness is perceived by the believers as an ancestral punishment and to overcome illness they make offerings and make promises to deities. Academic Session II resumed after a Lunch Break. Prof. Tuhin Das, Department of Economics, JU, Kolkata chaired the Academic Session whereby a lecture on the topic: Texts of Hindu Law and the Construction of Womens lives was delivered by Prof. Mandakranta Bose, Professor Emerita, University of British Columbia, Canada. She brought alive the various facets of womens lives as constructed and depicted through various Hindu scriptures and texts. Swami Narasimhananda, Advaita Ashrama (A branch of the Ramakrishna Mission), Kolkata, West Bengal, India was the next speaker of the Session who talked about the Sociology of Religious Identities. Drawing from various theorists he analyzed how religious identities in this post-modern world gets endlessly constructed and re-constructed. Academic Session III was preceded by a short coffee-break. The Chairperson for this Session was Prof. Indrani Sanyal, Department of Philosophy, JU, Kolkata. The first lecture of this Session was delivered by Dr. Mans Broo, Abo Akademi University, Finland on the Topic: Tendencies in Contemporary Views on Religion and the Need for a Broader Perspective, whereby he urged the need for taking up a wider perspective in order to assert Sociology of Religion its rightful place. The next lecture was on the topic: Tracing Vaisnava Strains in Tagore. Prof. Joseph OConnell, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto, Canada pointed out the various connections and connotations as are depicted in the various works of Tagore. Each Session of the Seminar was followed by an interactive question-answer session. The Seminar ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Ruby Sain. The seminar was a grand success. |
| A Lecture on the Topic: "Managing their Time and Risk: Education in Prison", Date: 27th February, 2012 Speaker: Prof. Howard Davidson |
| Howard S. Davidson is a senior scholar, University of Manitoba,Canada. He has taught in North American prisons, published oneducation in prisons, and is also the founding editor of the Journal ofPrisoners on Prisons. The presentation used research of schooling in penal settings in North America to deconstruct its function as a form of population and riskmanagement, a means of control rationalized as rehabilitation.The lecture initiated interest among the audience and gave light to the various aspects of the life of the prisoners and the role of education in the prisoners life. The talk was followed by a question-answer session and a concluding speech delivered by the co-ordinator, Dr. Ruby Sain. |
| Forthcoming lectures |
| *A seminar on Czech Society and Christian Religion (historical view and the present situation). Speaker: Dr. Eva Kasparova, Ph.D. Department of Managerial Psychology and Sociology University of Economics in Prague CZECH REPUBLIC |
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| ANNOUNCEMENT |
| A 3-day International Conference on “RELIGION AND GLOBALIZATION: A CHANGING PERSPECTIVE” . FROM 29 NOVEMBER, 2012 TO 1-12-2012 at Jadavpur University. |
| On behalf of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Society , Department of Sociology, Jadavpur University, we cordially invite to participate in the International Conference on "RELIGION AND GLOBALIZATION: A CHANGING PERSPECTIVE" to be organized in Jadavpur University, Kolkata from 29 November to 1 December 2012. |
| Last Date for submission of Abstracts 30th October, 2012. |
| Theme of Conference RELIGION AND GLOBALIZATION: A CHANGING PERSPECTIVE |
| The conference takes its point of departure from Swami Vivekanandas 150years of jubileum. Vivekanandas speech in 1893 at the World Parliament of Religion in Chicago became a landmark in the relations between Indic religions and the West. Vivekananda succeeded in creating a platform for interaction between India and the West that opened up the way for others to follow. His venture was based on a particular philosophical, intellectual and social perspective that had the ambition to speak for a global audiance. The conference invites papers and critical reflections about this and similar processes of religious globalization within a colonial, postcolonial and postmodern context. Within this theme, papers may address the issue of the modern construction of religion, Swami Vivekananda , Rabindranath Tagore and others ideas about universal religion, and the concept of religion itself in an Indian and global context. The conference may open discussions about the role of religion in a secular society, and how religion and religious discourses create and stimulate communal and political violence or resist it, within and across national borders. Finally, the conference invites discussions about the way religions transform and find new channels to grow and interact with secular societies, both in India and beyond. |
| Friends of CSRS |
| Prof. Ake Sander, University of Gotenburg, Sweden. |
| Dr. Samit Pahari, Information Scientist, Jadavpur University |
| Associate Professor | |||
| Photo | Name / Qualification | Telephone No. / Email ID | Specialization |
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RUBY DAS SAIN |
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