Social Sciences

National Seminar on Science & Technology, Society and Development: A Discourse.

On 29th & 30th March 2012

To be organized by the Department of Sociology,

Osmania University, Hyderabad- 500 007 (A.P).

Under UGC-SAP (DSA-I) Programme

Science and Technology have not only become major institutions of modern times, but

also posed big challenges to the present world. The advances in these fields carry along with them

latest consequences, which are difficult, if not impossible, to control. Scientific and technological

achievements have become the measuring indicators to assess the economic strengths of nations

today. In fact, the control of information-especially scientific and technical information is a source

of prestige and power in all post-industrial societies. Especially in the beginning of this 21st century,

nations that are doing well in the fields such as computers, super computers, information technology,

electronics, biotechnology, telecommunications, etc., are normally regarded as the "most modern"

and "technologically and scientifically most advanced nations". Today, Not only our physical

existence depends on science and technology but even our world view has radically changed over

the past century by scientific thought. Our vision of the future life also rallies round science and

technology. Technology has established itself as a powerful agent of social change. The more the

society is advanced, the more it encourages technology, and, as a result, the more it gets changed due

to technology. And the more rapid the technological change, the more rapid is the social change that

it generates

Technology has contributed to the growth of industries and to the process of industrialization.

The Process of industrialization has affected the nature, character and the growth of economy. It has

contributed to the growth of cities or to the process of urbanization. As a result of industrialization

people have started moving towards the industrial areas in search of employment. The Growth of

cities or urbanization has resulted in urban concentration and rural depopulation. The unregulated

growth of cities has caused problems such as ?overcrowding, congestion, insanitation, inadequate

water and electricity supply; lack of privacy and intimacy, etc. The cities have also become the

centres of various socio-economic problems such as crime, juvenile delinquency, glambling,

prostitution, etc. Industrialisation, urbanization, have had profound effects on the beliefs, ideals,

tendencies and thoughts of the people. This has led to vast transformation in the values of life.

Technology has profoundly altered our modes of life and also thought. Technology has not spared

the social institutions of its effects. The institutions of family, religion, morality, marriage, state,

property, etc have been altered. Modern Technology, in taking away industry from the household,

has radically changed the family organization. Many functions of the family have taken away by

other agencies. Due to the invention of birth control techniques the size of the family is

reduced. Marriage has lost its sanctity. It is treated more as a civil contract than a scared bond.

Marriages are becoming more and more unstable. Instances of divorce, desertion and separation are

increasing. Technology has elevated the status of women no doubt, but it has also contributed to the

stresses and strains in the relations between men and women at home. Religion is losing its hold over

the members. People are becoming more secular, rational and scientific, but less religion in their

outlook. Though religion has not been directly affected by the modern technology, inventions and

discoveries in science have shaken the foundations of religion. They have changed attitudes towards

religious rituals and creeds.

The Function of the state or the field of state activity has been widened. The modern governments

which rule through the bureaucracy have further impersonalized the human relations.

It is true that once a new technology is accepted, its hidden consequences may be unavoidable.

Science and technology have developed far faster than have social mechanisms to control them.

Today, they have brought about socio-political upheavals. They have the potentiality of causing

wholesale destruction of human life. These undesirable consequences of science and technology were

never anticipated previously.

Now the question before us is- can people control science and technology-? the answer to this

question is an emphatic "yes". It is 'yes', only if there are certain ethical values which are more

important and precious. When people make reckless use of technology, science gets blame. As we

see it today, political control of scientific and technological research is increasing. The autonomy of

science diminishes as the domination of the Government grows. Popular skepticism is also increasing

about science and technology especially after the two world wars. Hence, there is an urgent social

challenge to find some means of ensuring that science and technology continue to develop in the

direction of serving humanity rather than destroying it.

In this context, it is felt that there is a need for serious academic oriented and

research based discussion on the Impact of science & Technology on society and social relations.

Keeping this in view it is decided to organize a national seminar on "Science & Technology, Society

and Development: A Discourse". The expert academicians and researchers related to the above

topic are invited for this seminar to present their views on the above mentioned issue and to suggest

an appropriate strategy for the balanced development and also to resolve the problems associated

with the above issue.

Sub-themes of the Seminar are as follows:

1. Science & technology and Development ? Theoretical and empirical studies.

2. Social Impact of science & Technology and changing social institutions and social

relations in contemporary society. (Specific studies related to Rural, Urban and Tribal

Communities).

3. Biotechnology and Food Security.

4. Information Technology, Knowledge Society and emerging trends in the modern society.

5. Agricultural Technology, Rural Development and Rural Social Transformation.

6. Science & Technology and Development: Major challenges.

Call for Papers:

Papers for presentation in the technical sessions of the seminar are invited from Academicians,

Researchers, planning Experts, Government officials, persons from corporates, industries and NGOs.

Abstracts of the papers, approximately of 300 words, should be sent to the seminar Director through

Email or by post (one Hard copy and one Soft copy (C D).

Email Id: [email protected]

Important Dates:

Last Date for the receipt of Abstracts: 17th March, 2012.

Last Date for the receipt of Full-Length: Submitt during the seminar

Papers.

Travel Support:

Depending on the availability of Funds, travel charges will be provided to those whose papers are

accepted for Presentation. However, the organizing committee will appreciate if individuals can manage

funds for their travel from their respective institutions /organizations.

Accommodation & Local Hospitality:

Accommodation and local hospitality will be provided to the delegates in the Osmania

University Guest House.

For further details contact:

Prof. C. Ganesh

Seminar Director & Head,

Dept. of Sociology,

Osmania University

Hyderabad- 500 007 (A.P).

Mobile No. 09866016134

Email: [email protected].

Prof. Pushpa Mary Rani

Co-Director & Chairperson

BOS, Dept. of Sociology

Osmania University

Hyderabad

Mobile: 09573006460

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Social Sciences