Courses – TISS Guwahati

 

 Below are the list of M.Phil & PhD courses offered at TISS Guwahati

 

M.Phil.–Ph.D. in Social Sciences

Integrated M.Phil.–Ph.D. in Social Sciences

The M.Phil.–Ph.D. Programme in Social Sciences will be a five years (2 years M.Phil. + 3 Years Ph.D.) programme starting from academic year 2014-15. The first year of Programme will consist of two semesters of course work followed by one year for completing a M.Phil. dissertation. The coursework for the programme is on theories and practices in social sciences and research methods. The dissertation topic selected by students will specifically be on any aspect of social change and development. After successful completion of the two years M.Phil. Programme, the students with minimum CGPA of 6 will automatically move to the Ph.D. Programme which will be of 3 years duration and will require successful completion of Ph.D. Thesis. The usual process of proposal and synopsis presentation at TISS will be followed. The students will have option to exit the Programme after two years of successful completion of M.Phil. Programme. The broad research areas that the students of the Programme can work on are:

  • Social identity, development and change
  • Migration and livelihoods
  • Social movements and conflicts
  • Ecology and development
  • Local governance
  • Gender

 

Programme Structure

The duration of the M.Phil. Programme in Social Sciences shall be two years, spread over four semesters and roughly coinciding with the academic calendar of the Institute.

The M.Phil. programme shall carry a total of  –  48 credits – and will have six components: 

  • Basic Courses (BC): 8 credits (four courses with 2 credits each)
  • Auxiliary Course (AC): Non credited but compulsory, to enhance academic writing skills
  • Thematic Courses (TC): 6 credits. Three courses to be chosen by a student from an inter/trans disciplinary areas of Social Sciences, Social Work, Health, Management, Development, Habitat and Climate Sciences. 
  • Optional Course (OC): 2 credits. One course to be chosen by a student from any of the courses that will be offered in the Second Semester and pertaining to the different areas of study chosen by the scholars in consultation with their guides.
  • Survey of Literature (SL): 8 credits. As a prelude to embarking on the study proper, the student is familiarized with the literature available on the problem chosen for study, identify gaps and formulate alternative hypothesis.
  • Dissertation (DI): 24 credits. Provides an opportunity for the student to practice the craft of research by using the knowledge acquired during the course work. Embodying the outcome of the practice or process of research, the dissertation constitutes the product of research.

 

The Integrated M.Phil.–Ph.D. Programme will have two key milestones:

M.Phil. Programme

1.Semester I Courses: There will be four basic courses (8 credits) provide the foundation for theoretical understanding of development, research methods and one non-credit course in research writings. 

2.Semester II Courses: Students will have to choose three thematic courses (6 credits) that deal with trans-disciplinary research from a basket of courses will be offered by faculty working on different Masters programmes (Social Work with specialisation in Counselling, Public Health, Community Organisation and Development Practice and Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship; Peace and Conflict Studies; Ecology, Environment and Sustainable Development; and Labour Studies and Social Protection). Students will also have to undertake and optional course (2 credits) that would be an independent study project, in consultation with their guides.

3.Semester III & IV- Survey of Literature and Dissertation: Prior to embarking on their dissertation, students will be expected to submit a survey of literature and research plan (8 credits) to a committee and their peers. The coursework in the first year of the Programme intended to prepare students for research, and the research undertaken by students in the second year culminate into a dissertation thesis (24 credits) submitted by the students at the end of the Programme. The usual process of M.Phil. dissertation evaluation rule will be applicable.

 

Proposed Courses for Integrated M.Phil.–Ph.D. Programme in Social Sciences

Semester

Course

Credits

I

BC 1: Philosophical Foundation of Social Sciences

2

BC 2: Social Theory and Research

2

BC 3: Quantitative Research: Theory and Practice

2

BC 4: Qualitative Research: Theory and Practice

2

AC 1: Workshop on Academic Writing Skills

  

II

Core thematic areas of research will be identified. Each scholar will have to chose three TCs under the themes offered

2+2+2

Optional Course (OC)

2

II and III

SL: Survey of literature on a Problem Area

8

Complete paper will be presented for comments and revised final paper will be submitted for publication as a working paper.

The research proposal for the M.Phil. dissertation will also be developed and presented by the beginning of semester III

III and IV

DI: Dissertation

24

 

Total

48

 

Ph.D. (years 3-5)

Degree will be awarded after successful completion of thesis

 

Ph.D. Thesis: will require successful completion and defence of Ph.D. Thesis after obtaining M.Phil. Degree with prescribed CGPA

 

Direct Ph.D. in Social Sciences 

In addition to the Integrated M.Phil.–Ph.D. programme, a direct Ph.D. Programme is also offered by the School. In addition to meeting the requirements of the Ph.D. thesis (as specified above), Direct Ph.D. students will also need to be complete the mandatory coursework for Direct Ph.D. students (offered in two modules of two weeks each during the first semester) at the Mumbai Campus as outlined in Part 1 of the M.Phil.–Ph.D. Handbook. In case the students are not able to attend this coursework at the Mumbai Campus, they can also attend the four modular workshops (spread across the first year) held at the TISS Guwahati Campus.