INTRODUCTION

It was a dream and vision of thousands of Kannada stalwarts scholars such as Kuvempu, DVG, Da. Ra. Bendre and so on to see an exclusive Kannada University for the exploration of language, literature, and culture of Kannada. A committee was formed under the chairmanship of former Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka University, Prof. S S Wodeyar on 31^st December 1985 to study in this regard as an acknowledgment of the proposal of million Kannadigas during the World Kannada Conference held at Mysore in 1985. Recognizing the need for an in-depth study of Kannada language, literature, science, art, culture, history and social sciences in Kannada, the Kannada University was ceremoniously born on 1^st November 1991 (Kannada University Act published in Karnataka State Gazette [Karnataka Act 23 of 1991 date 21.5.1991].

Background: On 19^th June 2017, the meeting of Faculty Deans and Chairpersons of departments of studies was held under the chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, on 23^rd June 2017, the meeting of chairpersons and teaching faculties of departments was held under the chairmanship of Dean of Social Sciences. In this meeting that was convened during the Silver Jubilee celebration of Kannada University, it was decided to introduce Master’s Degree and Ph.D. Programs in 1) History and Archaeology, 2) Sociology, 3) Rural Development, 4) Kannada and Folklore, 5) Journalism and Mass Communication; and Post Graduate diploma courses in 1) Drama art, 2) Tribal Studies, 3) Translation Studies, 4) Manuscripology, 5) Epigraphy and other courses.

A Board of Studies (BoS) was formed in this background (No.KUH:REG:BOS: Dated July 06, 2017) with the aim of introducing M.A., Ph.D. in Sociology. The BoS convened its first meeting on 07^th July 2017 in which the board prepared the blueprint of the course and the course curriculum for M.A., Ph.D., Sociology. In the second meeting, dated 18th July 2017 course curriculum was prepared according to CBCS regulations, formulated the course regulation and submitted the same for administrative approval. The rules and regulations for this course were discussed by the Executive Committee of Kannada University in its 189^th meeting (Decision 189.09) held on 6^th September, 2017 and 200^th Executive Committee meeting (200.20) held on 6^th June, 2019 and 204^th Executive Committee meeting (204.02) held on 9^th October, 2020 before approving the same under Kannada University Act 1991, clause 32 (4).

There is a necessity for an independent department for the independent execution of M.A., and Ph.D. in Sociology. In this background, the Kannada University has notified the formation of the Statutory Advisory Committee (KUH:REG:AC/DOS :dated 07.11.2019 and 09.01.2020). The first meeting of the Committee was held on 13^th November 2019 and prepared the draft of the statute for the Department of Studies and Research in Sociology and the draft has been finalized in its 2^nd meeting and presented at the BOS on 10^th  January 2020. On the same day BOS meeting (5), committee approved the statute and recommended for its administrative approval. The Kannada University Executive Committee approved it in its meeting 202 on 13.01.2020.

Coordinators: Dr. Yerriswamy E., Assistant Professor, Department of Women Studies, Kannada University (13.6.2018-26.12.2019) and Dr. K M Metry, Professor, Department of Tribal Studies, Kannada University (07.01.2020-18.8.2023) served as Coordinators of the department.

HOD  Dr. K M Metry, Professor, Department of Tribal Studies, Kannada University (19.8.2023-) is serving as Head of the Department of Studies and Research in Sociology.