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ZHCES organises a seminar by Ajay Choudhary

ZHCES organises a seminar by Ajay Choudhary

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ZHCES organises a seminar by Ajay Choudhary
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Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies
School of Social Sciences

 

ZHCES Seminar Series

 

Classroom, Pedagogy and Caste Encounter

 

Ajay Choudhary
Chair Professor, Dr. Ambedkar Chair,
Symbiosis Centre for Ambedkar Studies,
Symbiosis International Deemed University, Pune

 

Abstract: The classroom serves as a catalyst for the cultivation of democratic values through the exchange of ideas rather than functioning as an ethnographic site. However, within the classroom, different participants interpret their surroundings through their own unique experiences. Pedagogical methods and approaches facilitate the generation of scientific ideas through communication, encouraging active participation in classroom discussions. It has been observed that individuals are more inclined to embrace ideas that do not challenge their existing beliefs. The manifestation of issues such as caste and gender in ethnographic sites creates biased and privileged spaces that hinder the understanding of caste-based social challenges. Understanding these challenges is crucial, as this bias is reflected in the form of detachment or aversion during communication. Consequently, individuals affected by caste discrimination either become passive observers or are perceived as having compromised positions within the social structure. I aim to examine teaching and learning environments, social location, and the classroom setting through an experiential approach.
Bio:  Ajay Choudhary is Chair Professor, Dr. Ambedkar Chair, Symbiosis Centre for Ambedkar Studies, Symbiosis International Deemed University, Pune. Previously, he worked as an Associate Professor at Hislop College, an affiliate of Nagpur University. His primary research interests are Sociology of Identity and Caste, Max Weber and Alfred Schutz on Meaning. He is currently working on the project Exploring Social and Educational Attainment of Disadvantaged Groups in Maharashtra and Evaluating Policies for Them’ and studying student performance and scholarship issues of government and Private schools in Pune City.
DATE: 22 August  2024 (Thursday)
TIME: 03:00 pm
VENUE: # 207, SSS-II
 (All are Welcome)
 

A warm welcome to the modified and updated website of the Centre for East Asian Studies. The East Asian region has been at the forefront of several path-breaking changes since 1970s beginning with the redefining the development architecture with its State-led development model besides emerging as a major region in the global politics and a key hub of the sophisticated technologies. The Centre is one of the thirteen Centres of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi that provides a holistic understanding of the region.

Initially, established as a Centre for Chinese and Japanese Studies, it subsequently grew to include Korean Studies as well. At present there are eight faculty members in the Centre. Several distinguished faculty who have now retired include the late Prof. Gargi Dutt, Prof. P.A.N. Murthy, Prof. G.P. Deshpande, Dr. Nranarayan Das, Prof. R.R. Krishnan and Prof. K.V. Kesavan. Besides, Dr. Madhu Bhalla served at the Centre in Chinese Studies Programme during 1994-2006. In addition, Ms. Kamlesh Jain and Dr. M. M. Kunju served the Centre as the Documentation Officers in Chinese and Japanese Studies respectively.

The academic curriculum covers both modern and contemporary facets of East Asia as each scholar specializes in an area of his/her interest in the region. The integrated course involves two semesters of classes at the M. Phil programme and a dissertation for the M. Phil and a thesis for Ph. D programme respectively. The central objective is to impart an interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of history, foreign policy, government and politics, society and culture and political economy of the respective areas. Students can explore new and emerging themes such as East Asian regionalism, the evolving East Asian Community, the rise of China, resurgence of Japan and the prospects for reunification of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, the Centre lays great emphasis on the building of language skills. The background of scholars includes mostly from the social science disciplines; History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, International Relations and language.

Several students of the centre have been recipients of prestigious research fellowships awarded by Japan Foundation, Mombusho (Ministry of Education, Government of Japan), Saburo Okita Memorial Fellowship, Nippon Foundation, Korea Foundation, Nehru Memorial Fellowship, and Fellowship from the Chinese and Taiwanese Governments. Besides, students from Japan receive fellowship from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.