SRM University – AP

In a rapidly changing world, where technology and data drive many of our decisions, the humanities are not just relevant—they’re essential. Consider the convergence of sociology, anthropology, and technology in understanding and solving societal issues, such as a small town grappling with a crime surge. Rather than merely crunching crime rates and demographics, integrating psychology and sociology could lead to more effective root-cause solutions through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

Take anthropology: it’s no longer confined to traditional studies of cultures. Today’s anthropologists employ drones and virtual reality to explore human behaviour and historical cultures, melding the old with the tech-savvy new. Similarly, sociologists harness technology, from mathematical models for studying social networks to sophisticated tools for analysing social media data, offering deeper insights into complex social systems. However, the digital revolution brings challenges too. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed severe digital divides in education, with students in remote areas of India struggling to access reliable internet and devices. Meanwhile, automation threatens jobs across sectors, from manufacturing to services, underscoring the need for social scientists to mitigate technology’s adverse effects and leverage its benefits.

At SRM University-AP’s Easwari School of Liberal Arts, the Sociology-Anthropology programme epitomises this interdisciplinary ethos. Combining rigorous scholarship with practical, real-world applications, the program prepares students to think critically, analyse deeply, and write compellingly. It’s a blend of classical and contemporary, with a strong emphasis on research and global perspectives, setting students on paths to further study and pioneering solutions in our complex world.

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