Introduction Sociology
Chairperson: Dr. Rana Saba
The Department of Sociology, Criminology, and Population Sciences is one of the prestigious Departments of the University of Karachi. The Department of Sociology was established in 1960. Later, to meet the urgent academic demands of society the Department of Criminology and Population Sciences were raised under the umbrella of Department of Sociology. The programme offered by the Department are interesting and have a broad scope, and based on multidisciplinary approach.
Many distinguished scholars have contributed to the fame and luster of the Department. Professor Dr. S.M. Jilani was the founder Chairman of the Department. He was instrumental in placing the Department on a solid foundation during his chairmanship from 1960 to 1966. The department has been lucky to have a chain of renowned sociologists as its Chairpersons/Professors, after Professor Dr. S.M. Jilani. In the role of honour, there are: Professor Dr. Aquila Kiani, Professor Dr. Sabih Uddin Baqai, Professor Habib A. Mufti, Professor Dr. Zafar ul Hassan, Professor Dr. A.H. Kizilbash, Professor. Dr. Basharat Ali, Professor Dr. Sikandar-un-Nisa Kamil, Professor Dr. Abdul Rauf, Dr. Jahangir Khan, and Dr. Sabeha Hafeez.
25 students obtained Ph.D. degrees through the Department, since 1960. Graduate from the Department have adopted wide range of careers in active life. Most have excelled in their profession, and have joined public and private institutions like the Aga Khan University, NGORC, Institute for Educational Development, Population Council, Islambad and other famous Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations.
In the list of our graduates, Professor Dr. Nizamuddin, Prof. Dr. Mehtab Karim, Dr. Iqbal Alam, Prof. Dr. Zamir Ahmed, Mrs. Shamim Kazmi, Mr. Sajid Ali, Mr. Rao Zulfiqar and so many are noteworthy for their notable achievements in academic careers and research. Their services have been duly recognized by foreign experts.
The study in the Department is well organized. The Teaching Faculty includes experienced professors, including those with degrees from foreign universities. Research work is a hallmark of the Department. Research Thesis is at the core of Masters programme. The topics of research are varied and cover almost all conceivable social problems.
Weekly Seminar and workshop are an important characteristics of the department. These are regularly organized the seminars deal with current issues like Population and Development, Honour Killing, Suicide Bombing, Violence and Terrorism, Reproductive Health, Urbanization, Environmental Issues, Poverty, Migration etc.
Department maintains close relationship with public and private organizations. These include W.H.O., UNESCO, UNICEF,Sindh Police, Ministry of Population Welfare, Department of Population Welfare Government of Sindh, Population Council, Islamabad, Directorate of Social Welfare, World Wild Fund, HANDS, PILER, O.P.P, Ahang, Green Star etc.
Sociologists, Criminologists, and Demographers today are playing a pivotal role in development and progress of society, and looking at the future demands of Social Scientists it can be predicated that our graduates will continue playing their major role in the development of society.
The Philosophy behind Master in Population Sciences Programme is to prepare the future Social Scientists/ Experts to take up the challenges of modern world and to help the students to understand the real problem of our society. MPS have advantage over the other graduates as they are not only aware of their specific field but also trained how to tackle the real social problems of our Society. Today the department has a cordial professional environment and highly experienced and devoted faculty members.
Its premise has all necessary arrangement that turn department into a seat of learning where knowledge seekers can quench their thirst. Its Seminar Library Computer Lab and Ethnological Museum help students get ready for the challenges of 21st century.
MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT
The mission of the Department of Sociology is :
* To provide quality teaching, furnishing students with insight and understanding of the dynamics of their society, culture, and environment, and preparing them to participate in a complex and diverse social world
• To provide quality instruction to produce graduates with the critical understanding of social processes and structures
• Enabling them to live and work effectively in our diverse global society
• We strive to provide our students with the ability to apply the tools of critical social analysis to a broad spectrum of professional, public and personal situations.
• We provide a bridge between humanistic and scientific perspectives.
