The Department of Sociology/Anthropology & Rural Development at PN Campus was established in 1989 as a wing department of the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. It started Bachelor’s Level programme in Sociology and Anthropology from the beginning of its establishment. In 2002, the department separated and evolved as an independent department with the introduction of Master’s programme in Sociology/Anthropology. In 2004, the department was further extended as a responsible institution to introduce Rural development in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) programme.

The department is a home to the students and scholars of the various disciplines of social sciences such as sociology, anthropology and rural development. Now, the department runs the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in both Sociology/Anthropology and Rural Development, which are the 4-year programmes. The Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology and Anthropology is a 2-year programme.

The department is one of the popular departments among 28 departments in the campus. At present, more than 500 students opt for Sociology, Anthropology and Rural Development courses at the Bachelor’s and Master’s Level programmes. The department is the first department to introduce the Master’s Degree in Sociology/Anthropology outside the Kathmandu valley. The idea of introducing these programmes outside the Kathmandu valley was conceived in response to the growing societal need for professional sociologists and anthropologists capable of dealing with socio-cultural issues as they are engaged in a variety of institutional, local development and policy making contexts. It not only emphasizes theoretical knowledge, but also applies skills on research and policy analysis. Themes of the research areas of the department include social and cultural history of Nepali society, ethnographic studies of the various caste/ethnic groups and other contemporary socio-cultural issues of Nepali society.

Seminar, Workshop & Training
From the very beginning, the department has conducted various workshops, seminars and trainings that were participated by national and international professionals and senior professors from the Central Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Kirtipur. The following are some of the programmes conducted by the department:

• An orientation program organized in Jan. 2003. It was facilitated by the senior professors from Kirtipur, Kathmandu
• The annual workshop on "Proposal writing, field work, and thesis writing" for the MA II year students. The department has already organized five events as such since 2061 BS.
• The Curriculum Revision Workshop was conducted on 23 Chaitra 2062 BS.
• The national workshop on "Curriculum on Sociology of Mountain Tourism in Nepal” was organized on 2 July 2005.
• The Proposal and Thesis Evaluation Workshop was conducted on 18 Jestha 2063 BS.
• “The Past, Present and Future of Sociology/Anthropology in Nepal” was held on 1-2 December 2007.
• The National Workshop on Sociology of Women in Nepalese Society was held on 20 Ashad 2065.
• The New Course Orientation Workshop was conducted on 27-28 Jestha 2066.

Publications
The department has started to publish Himalayan Journal of Sociology & Anthropology since 2004. The journal aims to provide a forum for the publication of research articles, research papers, notes and book reviews by the faculty members of the department. It has also published a proceeding of a national level workshop as an occasional publication. Here is a list of the publications of the department;

• Himalayan Journal of Sociology & Anthropology
• Proceeding of National Workshop on Past, Present and Future of Sociology/Anthropology in Nepal, 2008.

Research Scholarships and Awards
The department has always encouraged its students to improve their research skills while engaging in research and project works. In response to this, the department provides scholarships and awards to its students. For instance, more than 10 students of the department have already been received various grants and awards. The department also provides the Best Thesis Award to the graduates at Master’s Level every year. To date, 5 students of this department have been awarded with this trophy.

Contact
Netra Narayan Paudel
Head
Department of Sociology and Rural Development
Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences
Prithvi Narayan Campus (Tribhuvan University)
Bhimkali Patan, Bagar
Pokhara, Nepal
Phone: +977- 9846394748
Email: netra.paudel@prnc.tu.edu.np