DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

National Young Sociologist Competition 2017-18

The Department of Sociology, Christ University, Bengaluru, organises an annual National

Young Sociologist Competition for undergraduate students having Sociology as one of their
subject. It aims to encourage the young generation to carry out small research projects on
socially relevant subjects and issues to enhance their critical and analytical thinking. The
Competition seeks to fulfil this aim by inviting the participants to write original papers on topics
prescribed below to participate in the paper presentation competition which will be held on 08
December 2017.

Theme and Topics

The theme for the National Young Sociologist Competition 2017-18 is Science and Society. The
interrelation between science and society can be understood at both theoretical and empirical
level. At theoretical level the paradigms for the sociology of knowledge help in building the
relation between knowledge and other existential factors. Similarly, at empirical level the
production of science as a social process, creation of scientific knowledge, social construction of
technology and gender issues help in understanding the relation between science and society.
Combining both the theoretical and empirical understanding of the relation between science and
society can help in production of knowledge which furthers the social aspects of scientific
enquiry. This competition aims to bring in both the dimensions to understand the interrelation
between society and science under various sub themes. Contributions beyond the subthemes are
also invited which further add to the overall theme of the competition.
Sub themes

a.) Theoretical contributions to the relation between society and science.

This theme engages itself at the theoretical level trying to make sense of the relation
between science and society.

b.) Social construction of technology.

This theme tries to understand how technology comes into being analysing its evolution
and making.

c.) Understanding gender in relation to science and society.

Understanding the relation between society and science remains incomplete without
decoding how gender relations are re-formed, established and modulated. This theme
tries to understand these relations.

d.) Effects of scientific research on society.

Production of science has multiple effects on the society be it in terms of technology
(gadgets), medicine, scientific knowledge, etc. This theme tries to understand the effects
of scientific research from various fields like chemistry, biology, physics, etc.

e.) Analysing artefacts as a social construction.

What goes behind the making of an artefact is what contributes to its social, economic
and political ramifications. This theme thus tries to understand how artefacts are created
or produced.
Eligibility

The competition is open to all regular undergraduate students studying Sociology as one of their
subjects in any of the institutions in India.

Submission Guidelines

1. As a first step to participate in this competition all participants need to send a 250 word
abstract of their paper by August 15, 2017 to the following e mail:
Email: ysc@soc.christuniversity.in

or
send a hard copy to
National Young Sociologist Competition 2017-18
C/o Dr Sudhansubala Sahu, Department of Sociology
Christ University
Hosur Road, Bangalore–560029
Email: ysc@soc.christuniversity.in
Tel: 91-80-4012 9637

2. An abstract is a short summary in 250 words about the research project that the student has
done/is planning to undertake. It should mention the overall purpose of the study and the
research problem(s), the methodology, major findings/trends/scope of the research.
3. The abstracts should be accompanied by the contact details of participants including name,
college/institution details, postal address, email address, and phone number.
4. Participants need to enclose a bonafide certificate from the Head of their Institution and a
copy of their college/university identity card along with the abstract.
5. The academic papers can be conceptual or empirical. The length of the paper need to be
around 2500-4000 words. The references should be given in the APA format (the style
prescribed by the Publication Manual of American Psychological Association-6th edition).
6. A conceptual paper should develop arguments or theoretical perspectives on issues related to
Science and Society using evidences from prior research. It should present a comprehensive
and focused review of the relevant literature to support the argument.
7. Empirical paper should have a brief and focused literature review to justify the need of the
study. It should mention objectives of research, explain methodology, present the data and
their analysis, arrive at logical conclusion and discuss the theoretical/practical implications of
the research, the limitations as well as the scope of research.
8. There is no limit to the number of entries from a single institution.
9. All entries should be original works of the participant with appropriate references.
Plagiarized entries will be disqualified. Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else's
verbatim or paraphrased text in one's own written work without immediate reference.
Verbatim text must be in quotes or indented if it is longer than four lines.
A citation must follow right after borrowed material (usually the author's name and year – eg
(Stephen, 2000)) and the full details of the reference must be incorporated at the end of your
full paper.
10. Co-authored papers will not be considered.
11. Submitted abstracts will be screened and the authors of shortlisted abstracts will be notified
by August 25, 2017.
12. Authors of shortlisted abstracts have to submit two hard copies and the soft copy of their full-
length paper in word format to the above-mentioned e mail or addresses by November 1,
2017.
13. Participants whose papers have been selected for the final presentation at Christ University,
Bangalore will be notified by November 15, 2017.
14. Travel will be reimbursed (second class sleeper) for outstation paper presenters.
15. Accommodation will be provided for outstation paper presenters.
16. Final papers will be considered for publication.
Evaluation Process and Rewards

1 The entries will be evaluated by an eminent panel of judges and the authors of the ten best
entries will be invited to Christ University to make a presentation and to defend their ideas in
the presence of students of Humanities and Social Sciences.
2 Awards are given to the prize winners. The first prize carries Rs 15,000/-, the second Rs
10,000/-, and the third Rs 7,000/-. The conveyance expenditure of the finalists would be
reimbursed as per Christ University guidelines and the finalists would receive hospitality
from Christ University community.

Important Dates

August 15, 2017 Last date for submission of abstract

August 25, 2017 Notification of shortlisted abstracts

November 1, 2017 Submission of full-length paper

November 15, 2017 Announcement of finalists for paper presentation

December 08, 2017 Final paper presentation at Christ University