About AUD

M.A. Development Studies
(School of Development Studies)

The School of Development Studies, Ambedkar University, Delhi announces admissions for 2011-2012 to the MA programme in Development Studies.    

Course Details

Duration: 2 years (4 semesters and a summer internship)

Total Credits: 64

Medium of Instruction: English

Number of Seats: 35

( In addition 5 Seats are reserved for the Foreign Students)

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with 45% marks (or equivalent grade) from a recognized university (relaxation of 5% for students belonging to SC/ST/PH categories.

Reservation of seats: Based on the Government of Delhi rules

This two year MA programme in Development Studies will attempt to equip students with the ability to address the challenges of development and public policy as they affect developing societies. It includes fourteen taught courses - eleven core courses of 4 credits each and three elective courses of 2 credits each. The programme also includes research course work, research practicum, workshops, seminars, and field based activities.

This inter-disciplinary programme is based on the foundations provided by the disciplines of Sociology, Political Science and Economics and is taught and guided by faculty from a whole range of disciplines and specializations in the social sciences. This programme will introduce students to the rich theoretical foundations of the debates on development and will be based on experiences from across developing countries, especially India. It is structured around a learning of develop- ment theory, an understanding of growth and development, and broad debates on the structures of political and economic arrangements epitomized by states, markets and society. It will attempt to take students through theoretical foundations underpinning the social sciences, develop an understanding of the debates and strategies around different sectors of economy, society and polity and sensitise students to issues of discrimination and marginalization in developing societ- ies. An introduction to Indian development will provide students grounding in the realpolitik of policy formulation. The practical issues of policy making will be debated with reference to institu- tions and public policy processes which will be complemented by a core course on the important issue of environment, resources, and development. Discrimination and marginalization emerging out of gender, class, caste, and religion and the way they affect the majority in developing societies will be underlined in each of the courses. In addition, a wide range of electives will cater to individual interest and specialized learning.

A strong grounding in research methodology with special focus on participatory research and appraisal methods would enable students to research concrete problems faced by developing countries. Dedicated workshops on theoretical aspects as well as policy analysis by experts in the field will enhance classroom and practical learning. The programme will focus on building analyti- cal skills, and oral and written communication ability. The curriculum combines innovative class- room learning with seminars, group work, projects, and a compulsory internship and dissertation. More than 30 percent of the learning is structured outside the formal classroom process.

It is expected that graduates from this programme will be equipped to work in development organizations, government agencies, corporations and financial institutions, non-government organizations, consultancy firms, civil society initiatives, media, and academia. In order to continu- ously provide the best in the discipline, the course committee will institutionalize mechanisms for collecting feedback on the curriculum from experts in this field as well as from potential employers.