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M.A. IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

Introduction

The M.A. in Development Studies programme throws light on the rapid changes in the configuration of the State, markets, social institutions and civil society over the past decades in India and the world over and their cumulative consequences on people, more so to the vulnerable, disadvantaged and the marginalised. The course will equip students in developing critical perspectives in examining development and its consequences for the community and the individual; the natural and social environment; and socio-cultural institutions. The course will also introduce the students to models of development; create an understanding of participatory, self-sustaining and people-centred public policies; and develop their expertise in methodologies and skills for development research, participatory approaches, and programme planning and management.

Spread over two years (or four semesters), the students will be offered a wide range of courses, concentration options, and a research project experience. The faculty for this programme are drawn from a broad spectrum of disciplinary backgrounds (such as economics, sociology, political science, psychology, geography, and women's, cultural and media studies) and policy research expertise.

Course Outline

Distribution of Credit Hours

Semester-wise Listing of Courses

Notes:

* DS: Compulsory Course

** Out of 4 concentrations, opt for one concentration with two courses from each concentration in Semesters III and IV. The 4 concentrations, DCA, DCB, DCC, and DCD, are:

•   Concentration A: Work, Welfare and Development Planning
•   Concentration B: Gender and Development
•   Concentration C: Human Ecology and Development
•   Concentration D: Diversity, Exclusion and Development of the Marginalised

Eligibility

1. A Bachelor's Degree of a minimum of 3 years duration or its equivalent (under the 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 or 10+2+2+1 year bridge course pattern of study or any other pattern fulfilling the mandatory requirements of 15 years formal education) from a recognised university, in any discipline with a minimum average of 50% of marks (40% for Scheduled Castes [SCs] and Scheduled Tribes [STs]
   OR
2. Candidates who will complete all the requirements of their final year Bachelor's Degree examinations by Saturday, June 23, 2007, will also be eligible to apply provided they have obtained minimum aggregate of 50% of marks (40% for SCs/STs in their first and second year college/university examinations taken together, if the degree course is of three years; and the first, second and third year college/university examinations, if the degree course is of four years, for all the subjects examined. In such cases, admission to the Master's Degree Programmes of the Institute shall be provisional. If a provisionally admitted student fails in the final year examination, the offer of provisional admission will be automatically cancelled.
   
   Selection Procedure

Those satisfying the eligibility requirements will be assessed for selection (Total Marks = 200) through the following:

1. Academic Background (30 Marks): Marks are awarded to each applicant on the basis of overall percentage of marks secured in the Bachelor's Degree high academic achievement is not the only criterion on which the candidate will be selected.

2. Essay/Written Test (60 Marks): The Essay/Written Test (ET) aims at assessment of knowledge about contemporary issues in the field and sensitivity to social issues, expressed through written analysis in English. The time allotted is 45 minutes. In Social Work, the students will be assessed on the basis of caselets (40 marks) and an English language test (20 marks).
3. Group Discussion (40 Marks): The Group Discussion (GD) aims at assessment of knowledge about contemporary issues in the field and sensitivity to social issues expressed orally in English in a group situation. The time allotted is 25 minutes.
4. Personal Interview (70 Marks): To become eligible for the Personal Interview (PI), a general candidate should secure a minimum combined score of 45 marks (35 marks for SCs and STs) in the ET and GD put together .

Reservations

The TISS is an equal opportunity institution and there is no discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age or physical disability. As per the Government of India directives, there is a reservation for the following groups:

• 15% for SC candidates and 7.5% for STs.
  
• 3% for the persons with disability, of which 1% each for (a) Low Vision/ Blindness (b) Hearing Impairment, and (c) Locomotor Disability/ Cerebral Palsy in all the programmes.
  
• 15% supernumerary seats for foreign nationals.
  
• GoI directives will be followed for Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates, as applicable.

Career Opportunities

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 organisations; the corporate sector; and in research consultancy firms.

Contact Details

Postal Address: Post Box 8313, Deonar, Mumbai 400 088.

Please address all your letters to the Deputy Registrar, Academic Section, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

Telephone: 91-22-2556 3289-96, Extn. 258, 259 and 261.

The telephone board functions from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Fax: 91-22-2556 2912

E-mail: pgadmissions@tiss.edu; acadsec@tiss.edu