School of Social Sciences (SSS)

The Department of Studies in Social Management (DSSM) was established in Central University of Gujarat to nurture a multidisciplinary approach which integrates disciplines of Social Work, Management and Public Policy embedded in the Social Sciences, for dealing with complex development issues.

The Programme commenced in the year 2010-11. Social Management as a discipline envisages a rigorous teaching and research programme that seeks to impart, understand and develop theoretical and practical knowledge and skills with respect to policy issues so as to act as a catalyst for change. The core idea is to have professionals and researchers who will contribute in innovative and critical ways to the development sector. Given the diverse actors in the policy domain, the Centre provides a platform for dialogue between academia, government, civil society and NGOs at various levels. The areas of research interests of DSSM are: Governance, Management of Reforms, Social Exclusion, Law and Marginality, Migration, Financial inclusion, Women Empowerment, Corporate Social Responsibility, Police Studies, Criminal Justice Reforms and Institutional Studies.

Objectives :

• To develop teaching/training aimed at front-line managers with a concretised social perspective, especially at the grass root levels with a view to provide professional Social Management personnel the developmental sector that straddles the state, market and the civil society.
• To evolve experimental action programmes and strategies related to development which are innovative and demonstrative of new areas of practice/strategies/service delivery, which can also serve as centres for training and research.
• To undertake research that will contribute to theory building and practice in a multidisciplinary intervention framework.
• To contribute to policy discussions at various levels, that defines the context for a proper intervention based on the outcomes of field and academic initiatives.
• To critically introduce the issues of marginal and excluded peoples in the context of the state and market within the framework of rights based empowered perspective

Department of Studies in Society and Development is anchored to the disciplines of sociology, anthropology and social work in articulating perspectives on development. The Centre aims to generate and disseminate knowledge on theoretical and applied aspects of society and development and the interfaces between them. Its courses introduce and engage with different theoretical formulations and debates concerning local as well as global social development. It tries to analyse different processes, actors, structures and power relations as constructed and contested by the state and different institutions as well. Teaching and research activities in the Centre have been oriented towards contemporary questions pertaining to theoretical and applied dimensions of society. The Centre engages in teaching courses like Theories of Society, Perspectives on Social Development, Research Methodology, Understanding Indian Society - Rural and Urban, Social Stratification, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Human Rights, Marginalisation and Social Exclusion, Political Economy, Globalisation, State and Social Justice, Health and Development, Migration and Diaspora, Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship, at both M.A and M.Phil. levels. The pedagogy is based on interactive teaching and reflexive exercise.

The Department of Studies in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (DSSTIP), which initiated its MPhil/PhD programme in Science, Society and Development in 2009, is one of the earliest centres to be established in the Central University of Gujarat. In the academic year 2013–14, the nomenclature of the MPhil/PhD programme was changed to MPhil-PhD programme in Studies in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy in order to attract students from both science and social science disciplines. Currently the centre offers PhD programme in Studies in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. The Centre focuses on the social and cultural dynamics of science and technology from an interdisciplinary and comparative framework. The vision of the Centre is to emerge as a premier locus of knowledge production and dissemination in the area of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Studies. Towards this objective, the Centre specializes in a wide range of themes and concerns at the interface of science and society, dwelling upon theoretical insights offered by the emergent academic field of Science, Technology and Society (STS) Studies. The Centre endeavours to study the philosophical, historical, sociological, cultural and developmental dimensions of Science and Technology in India and equips students to critically analyze science, technology and innovation policies.

As situated in the School of Social Sciences, CSSTIP’s uniqueness is in its academic endeavour to bridge social sciences with natural sciences, exploring the social relations of modern science and technology. The faculty members of the centre belong to diverse disciplinary backgrounds and have a wide spectrum of expertise such as history and philosophy of S&T, sociology of science, social relations of technology, innovation studies, public engagement with S&T, cultural studies of S&T, and academia-government–industry relations. The Centre has pan-India profile and attracts students from diverse social and academic backgrounds such as natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, and management studies, and pursues research in a variety of topics and fields of enquiry.

The Department offers an excellent academic environment to provide students with international exposure and possibilities to interact with academicians, policy makers, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs, innovators and technocrats. The Centre also takes pride in the fact that the first MPhil and PhD degrees of the University were awarded to its students. So far twenty-four doctoral degrees and fifty-five MPhil degrees have been awarded from the Centre. Our students have also been presenting papers in national and international conferences and workshops such as GLOBELICS, ASIALICS, INDIALICS and CFIA & EADI Workshop in the Netherlands. Two of our students were selected for the prestigious STEPs Centre Summer School, sponsored by the UKERI, ESRC and IDRC, held annually in the United Kingdom. Six students have received national and international post-doctoral fellowships. Many of the Centre’s alumni are working as faculty in colleges and governmental departments and many are holding research positions in organisations such as National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS, New Delhi) and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT, New Delhi), as well as in prominent civil society organisations.

The CSEP under the School of Social Sciences is offering M.Phil./Ph.D. programmes in Economics since 2010-11 and MA in Economics since 2015-16. The main objectives of the Centre are to deliver quality education and to promote socially relevant research in the field of economics and policy-making. In addition to building a theoretical knowledge base in various areas of economics, the Centre strives to promote analytical thinking and empirical research skills to address the emerging socio-economic issues at local, national and global levels. By means of providing quality research in the different dimensions of economics, the objectives of the Centre are to contribute to policy research, facilitate inclusive and sustainable growth.

The syllabus of the Centre is innovatively designed to enhance students’ learning in theoretical, analytical and empirical knowledge to better understand and analyze behaviours of economic agents like individuals, households, firms and economies and their connection to the general well-being of the country. The Centre comprehensively focuses on the areas of regional economic growth and human development, economics of education, informal sector, employment and wages, public finance and policies, health, international business, and industry studies. The faculty members are committed to academic excellence, and they encourage the students to contribute to the welfare of the nation and to promote economic and social justice by means of their valuable and authentic research.

The Department of Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies was established in 2011. It is an interdisciplinary centre focusing on research and studies in Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies. The Centre offered M.Phil.-Ph.D. in Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies from 2011 to 2019. Now the Centre offers Ph.D. in Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies.

Major thrust areas of research include different aspects of Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies such as: Satyagraha, Sarvodaya, Swaraj, Ahimsa/Peace, Conflict Resolution, Movements, Democracy, Gandhian/Thought, Gandhian Philosophy, Environment movements, peace movements, Decentralisation, Gram Swaraj, Movements, Alternative economic models, and non-violent struggles.

The 5 years, Integrated / Dual Degree (B.A (Hon) Social Management) – (M.A Social Management) is being offered at Centre for Studies in Social Management, since 2010. From the Academic Year 2021-22, the 5 years integrated programme, shall be of Learning Outcome Based Curriculum Framework (LOCF).The fundamental premise underlying the learning outcomes-based approach to curriculum planning is that higher education qualifications such as Integrated/Dual Degree (BA (Hon) Social Management) - (MA Social Management) is awarded on the basis of demonstrated achievement of outcomes (expressed in terms of knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values) and academic standards expected of the integrated programmes. This curriculum Frame work, is an outcome-based framework. Learning outcomes specify what students completing a particular programme of study are expected to know and be able to do at the end of their programme of study. The learning outcomes indicate the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that are required to enable the students to effectively participate in knowledge production and in the knowledge economy, improve national competitiveness in a globalized world and for equipping young people with skills relevant for global and national labour markets and enhancing the opportunities for social mobility by simultaneously engaging with the local.

The LOCF of Social Management course shall consist of Core Courses, Ability Enhancement Courses, Skill Enhancement Courses, Discipline Specific Courses and Field Work and related courses. Integrated / Dual Degree (B.A (Hon) Social Management) – (M.A Social Management) has ten semesters with taught courses which are inter-disciplinary in scope and a field work component which includes summer internship, projects and study tours aimed at providing a practical orientation and problem–solving skills. On completion of the course, the students would find gainful employment at various managerial positions in social organizations & development sector.

The M.A in Social Work (2 years) programme had begun in the year 2017. It aims to train students to constructively engage with the policy makers and public so as to evolve innovative strategies through field action projects and practice-based research. The broader objective of this course emanates from the much-felt need of having a social work perspective to the various public policies that are generally framed and implemented by governments for citizens' welfare.

The uniqueness of this programme is its integration of social work skills and practices embedded in social sciences with the objective of rational understanding of policy formulation, monitoring and analysis in the larger governance framework. The social work perspective to public policy and governance could deliver better services to its beneficiaries, provided the methods of social work is integrated well with the policies and the larger governance framework. The course would cover the principles, skills, values and knowledge base of social work along with cutting edge knowledge for public policy and governance, embedded in social sciences.

The uniqueness of this programme is its integration of social work skills and practices embedded in social sciences with the objective of rational understanding of policy formulation, monitoring and analysis in the larger governance framework. The social work perspective to public policy and governance could deliver better services to its beneficiaries, provided the methods of social work is integrated well with the policies and the larger governance framework. The course would cover the principles, skills, values and knowledge base of social work along with cutting edge knowledge for public policy and governance, embedded in social sciences.

The students graduating in the MA in Social Work would become change agents who connect the policy makers, implementation agencies and the end users of the policies. The course is prepared to produce critical human resource for the government, policy framers, grassroots NGOs engaged in the social development sectors.

The broader objective of this course emanates from the much-felt need of having a 'social work perspective' with strong skill sets of methods in social work, to the various public policies that are generally framed and implemented by governments for citizens' welfare. The uniqueness of this programme is its integration of social work skills and practices through embedding in social sciences with the objective of rational understanding of policy formulation, monitoring and analysis in the larger governance framework. The social work perspective to public policy and governance could deliver better services to its beneficiaries, provided the methods of social work is integrated well with the policies and the larger governance framework.

This course thus becomes innovative in the sense that it targets to deepen the horizon of the theories and practices of social work through amalgamating the discourses of public policy and governance through embedding in social sciences, with the skills sets and methods of social work for effective social service delivery outcomes for communities. The course hence is prepared to produce young minds with a holistic vision of public policy and governance, thereby being a change agent, specifically with the social work intervention skill sets.

The two years M.A in Social Work programme would be of four semesters with 20 credits, including concurrent field work, block field work and research dissertation, with a total of 80 credits across four semesters. In addition to the 80 credits (20 credits of 4 semesters), there would be a compulsory social work camp (6-10 days) and a social work tour (8-10 days) with 02 credits each.

Ph.D. programme in Social Management was initiated in the year 2017. Ph.D. programme is designed to provide insights in the fields of management, social sciences and governance in order to address issues and concerns in the social and development sectors with a governance framework. Public sector and private sector organizations from NGOs to social enterprises are critically assessed. While drawing on the breadth of research expertise and practical experience in the School of Social Sciences, this course includes a practical exercise with a development agency, Non–government organizations as part of its assessment. Using an interdisciplinary frame, this program's focal concerns are to look into theories in management, evolving markets, new public management, society in India, migration, law, criminal justice social work, corporate social responsibility, micro finance, civil society initiatives, state, para-state institutions and multi-layers of governance. It has one year of course work which would lead students into suitable areas for further research.

MA Sociology is a two-year course. Admission to the programme is open to a graduate in any discipline. The programme. The programme syllabus includes courses such as, among others, Theories of Society, Perspectives on Social Development, Research Methodology, Understanding Indian Society – Rural and Urban, Social Stratification, Gender and Sexuality, Human Rights, Tribal Studies, Marginalisation and Social Exclusion, Political Economy, Globalization, State and Social Justice, Health and Development, Migration and Diaspora, Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship. The pedagogy is based on interactive teaching and reflexive exercise. Field work is an integral component of the courses to grasp the complexity of social reality. Students are encouraged to partake in discussion and dialogue to deepen their academic horizon.

The Ph.D. in Sociology offers an orientation on quantitative and qualitative research methods and advanced sociological theories during its course work. The course work inculcates an orientation to conceptualize the research problem with the existing theoretical framework inherent in existing sociological theories. It also facilitates the scholars for the construction of the research design, application of research methods and data collection tools and analysis o qualitative and quantitative data for the student's research. The centre encourages interdisciplinary research with the application of quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods. The centre has an interdisciplinary research team having faculty members from sociology, social work, media studies and extension education to facilitate inter-disciplinary research to unfold the social reality in the contemporary situation.

The M.A. in economics is a full-time two-year, four- semester programme of 72 credits broken into 48 credits of core compulsory courses, 16 credits of core elective courses and 8 credits of field work and report writing. The core compulsory courses offer students a foundational understanding of key concepts, ideas and theories in economics as well essential mathematical, statistical, and econometric tools required in undertaking economic analysis. The elective courses allow the students to choose the key areas in economics where they want to enhance their knowledge and deepen their specialization. Fieldwork and report writing is a compulsory feature of the programme in each semester as it provides students the chance to apply their theoretical knowledge and quantitative tools in analyzing economic problems. Overall, the programme has incorporated courses like Statistical methods for economics; Econometrics I, Econometrics II, Economics of Social Sector, FDI and Development in India, Economics of Insurance, Economics of Infrastructure, Data Analysis and Computer Applications in Economics, Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, etc that have direct bearing on employability, skill development and entrepreneurship.

The Ph.D. in economics is a minimum of three years including course work and a maximum of six years duration programme. The course work, which is a prerequisite for the programme, covers initial two-semester having 20 credits broken into 10 credits of core compulsory courses, 6 credits of core elective courses and 2 credits of field work and report writing and another 2 credit of term paper writing. The core compulsory courses prepare students by providing courses on research methodology (4 credits) and advanced economic theories. The elective courses allow the students to choose specialization area in the field of economics in which they want to pursue their research. The course-work helps students become skilled, critical and analytical to explore various contemporary economic challenges faced by the nation, regions, sectors, firms and households and reach solutions for those problems.

Since 2017, the Centre offers M.A. in Political Science. M.A. in Political Science is a two-year full time programme offering 16 courses (both compulsory and optional) of four credits each, evenly taught over four semesters. In addition, there will be self-study projects supervised by teachers of the Centre. The programme is of 72 credits. The compulsory or core courses of the programme will focus on political theory/philosophy, political thought, Indian politics (institutions and processes), comparative politics and government, Modern Indian thinkers (with an emphasis on M. K. Gandhi), international relations, and research methodology. The optional courses will revolve around the themes of governance, decentralisation, development, public policy, democracy, inequality and exclusion, social justice, human rights, social movements, tradition-modernity debate, post-modernism, globalisation, political economy, post-colonial state, international politics, foreign policy, terrorism, violence, critical theory, and peace and conflict studies. The objective of the programme is to familiarise the students with the concepts, theories, approaches and paradigms of the discipline of Political Science. The programme aims at equipping the students with theoretical knowledge of politics as well as political processes. Students will also explore the society-politics interface. Another objective of the programme is to impart to the students a theoretical understanding of philosophy of science and social science, and practical methods for research in political science. All the sixteen courses will be based on classroom teaching. The evaluation comprises mid-term examination, assignments (book review / term paper / seminar presentation) and end-term examination.

Ph.D. in Gandhian Thought and Peace Studies promotes interdisciplinary research. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi remains a critical reference point to discern plurality of ideas like Satyagraha, Ahimsa and the doctrine of means and ends. The contemporary relevance of the ideas of Gandhi provides a foundation to the discipline of peace studies. Students in the research programme explore a variety of topics which include peacebuilding through reconciliation, social movements to ensure justice, religion and conflict, violence and its manifestation in different forms. Ph.D. programme aims at equipping the students with theoretical and empirical knowledge of Gandhian philosophy and peace studies. Students are taught original writings of Gandhi's writings along with courses on modern Indian thinkers in comparative method along with philosophy of science and social sciences. All courses are based on classroom teaching. The evaluation of Coursework comprises mid-term examination, assignments (book review / term paper / seminar presentation) and end-term examination. After successful completion of compulsory course work of Two Semesters, students write Thesis.