| Dean's Message The MA in Development Studies offered by the School of Social Sciences is a novel programme introduced by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in 2006. This programme is designed to train and groom students to become professionally competent development experts and socially responsible individuals. Seven decades of teaching, research and intervention experience at TISS has gone into making this programme. It is theoretically sophisticated, empirically grounded and multi-disciplinary in orientation. The collaboration that TISS has entered into with the Centre for Development Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science has lent academic rigour to the programme and internationalised its scope and focus. The programme is divided into four components. The first component familiarises the students with the basic social sciences such as economics, political science and sociology. The second component provides them grounding in theoretical understanding of ‘development’ through courses such as development theories, development economics, public economics, environment and sustainable development, and institutions, governance and policies. The third component delves into theme-based perspectives like human development, education and development, civil society groups/non-governmental organizations and development. The last component equips them with analytical tools like quantitative and qualitative research methods, philosophical and methodological foundations of development research, and project planning and evaluation. As part of the programme, the students write a dissertation based on field research and undergo a summer internship. Considering its significance in the present times of sweeping changes wrought by development policies and programmes across the world, the programme has begun attracting students from abroad. With such comprehensive learning about development process and practical training in dealing with development issues, the graduates can successfully enter professional careers in civil society organizations involved in development interventions and corporate sector organization engaged in socio-economic initiatives. The graduates can also find career options in academic institutions engaged in teaching and research in development studies. The programme provides basic grounding in development issues to those intending to pursue a career in the central/state government administrative services. International organisations will also find the graduates useful. N. Jayaram Dean, School of Social Sciences | Course Overview The multi-disciplinary M.A. in Development Studies programme draws inputs from and builds on the Institute's 70 years of experience in social work education, research and field action. The programme engages with a multitude of approaches and contemporary theories in the social sciences that deal with development perspectives, policy, and practice. Recently, the Centre for Development Studies has collaborated with The Centre for Development Studies, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a faculty exchange programme has already begun. Additionally, a student exchange programme with Sciences Po University, Paris is also in place, which allows students from the centre to study courses of their choice for a period of one semester. The Development Studies programme is gaining recognition both within the country and internationally, attracting students from the South Asia, North America and Europe. Students who graduate with this degree will find their professional career in academic institutions pursuing inter-disciplinary research and teaching in development studies; in civil and allied administrative services; development facilitating national and international organisations; the corporate sector; and research consultancy firms. The students from the first batch were offered jobs with well known organisations such as IFMR, Centre for Good Governance (Govt. of Andhra Pradesh), CII, ICICI-SIG, ICR, IFPRI, IMRB, Syntel, TERI, FES, ISB, AC Nielsen, IL & FS and WWF. Course Aims The central objective of the M.A. in Development Studies programme is to understand development as an outcome of complex social, economic and political processes at micro- and macro-levels. While some of the courses theoretically explore why and how societies, regions and communities change, others focus on how governments, NGOs, international donors, and other development agents intervene to facilitate change. With the role of the State being redefined in the context of market reforms and global economic integration, this programme examines how development could benefit people who otherwise remain outside the market. Student Activities Read about the Development Studies Forum, Manzar, Newsletter and other activities of the DS students here. |