The Karnataka Sociology Association was (KSA) was founded in 1994 in Shimogga with 23 members. The key role was played by Dr. V N. Bhat, the then Professor and Head of the Department of Sociology at the Kuvempu University. The Association's activities have been professional, career related and expansion and firm grounding of Sociology teaching in the State.
Ever since the KSA came into being, it has rendered a platform by itself to the subject professionals to come together to discuss academically the issues pertaining to human communities in Karnataka and to explore offering solutions for ameliorating the problematic situations. It has been encouraging the sociology departments in universities and colleges in Karnataka to organize annual conference which has been a regular feature.
Initially, from 1994 till 2005 there used to be single issue focused academic discussions during such gatherings which was changed in 2006 at Dharwad Conference by introducing research Committees only through which the paper presentations have been encouraged. Now there are 13 Research Committees in practice whose activities are coordinated by established scholars.
The KSA proposes to bring out biannual bilingual E - journal, besides a E-news letter for circulation among its life members who are more than 1400 in number by Sept 2018. Sociology teaching positions in inter- arts and degree colleges were snatched by anthropology and social work postgraduates which has been opposed tooth and nail by the Association, while there were also efforts made sociology departments in different universities in Karnataka in order to protect and ensure career interests of MA Sociology graduates in the state.
Sociology teaching in several established colleges as well as universities in the state was not encouraged by authorities of such establishments which was opposed, and encouraged to be started. The KSA will always look into such situations where it can influence the institutional heads to the advantage of the Subject as well as career needs of trained postgraduates. In most of the universities and colleges from PUC and BA Sociology is popular optional course for study by young students.
The KSA shall also accept endowments from philanthropists, institutions from civil society or public institutions and facilitates academic programs as desired by the donors. As such the KSA has two endowment lecture programs to be arranged during its annual meet, National Sociology Conference, the total expenditure of such programs be borne by the donors only. The Shygale Shivarudramma Trust, Mysore shall arrange for Prof C Parvathamma memorial Endowment Lecture, and the Tontadarya Mutt Educational Foundation of Gadag shall arrange for Prof. K Ishwaran Memorial Endowment Lecture at the KSA annual conference.
The KSA shall be committed to take any measure for professional development among its young life members who would mainly constitute research scholars and assistant professors in all the university departments and colleges. As such to help facilitate the professional advancement, the growth of the discipline by way of horizontal and vertical growth in teaching of the subject Sociology in all the public and private educational institutions, and looking into the career needs of young post graduates in sociology remain the main objectives of the KSA to achieve which the Association shall strive hard.
The Aims and Objectives shall be:
To achieve the objectives, the following activities shall be undertaken