

MA-SOCIOLOGY in General at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak


Rohtak, Haryana
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About the Specialization
What is General at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak Rohtak?
This MA Sociology program at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of social structures, processes, and changes, equipping students with theoretical knowledge and research methodologies. It delves into Indian societal dynamics, critical sociological traditions, and contemporary global issues. The program prepares students to analyze complex social phenomena within an India-specific context, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills for various professional roles.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for humanities graduates, particularly those with a background in Sociology, History, Political Science, or Psychology, seeking advanced theoretical and empirical understanding of society. It attracts fresh graduates aiming for careers in research, social work, public policy, or academia. Working professionals in NGOs, government sectors, or corporate social responsibility roles looking to deepen their analytical skills and contribute effectively to social development will also find this program highly beneficial.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse career opportunities in India, including social researchers, policy analysts, community development officers, human resource specialists, and academic roles. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 lakhs per annum, with experienced professionals earning upwards of INR 8-15 lakhs. The program fosters a strong foundation for higher studies, civil services, and impactful contributions to social sector organizations and government initiatives across the country.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Sociological Theories & Research Basics- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with classical and contemporary sociological theories, understanding their core tenets and applications. Simultaneously, build a strong foundation in research methodology and basic social statistics. Form study groups to discuss complex theories and solve statistical problems.
Tools & Resources
Key sociological texts (Durkheim, Marx, Weber), SPSS or R for statistical analysis, MDU library resources, Online courses on research methods
Career Connection
A strong theoretical and methodological base is crucial for any sociological career, especially in research, policy analysis, and academia.
Engage with Indian Social Realities- (Semester 1-2)
Actively read about and discuss current social issues in India, linking them to theoretical frameworks taught in class. Participate in field visits or local community engagement activities to understand real-world dynamics.
Tools & Resources
Economic and Political Weekly (EPW), Indian Journal of Sociology, Local NGOs and community organizations, University seminars and discussions
Career Connection
Develops contextual understanding vital for social work, policy formulation, and development sector roles in the Indian context.
Develop Academic Writing & Presentation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on improving academic writing for essays and research papers, alongside public speaking and presentation skills. Practice structuring arguments, citing sources correctly, and delivering clear presentations. Seek feedback from professors and peers.
Tools & Resources
Grammarly and academic writing guides, University''''s communication skills workshops, Peer review sessions
Career Connection
Essential for research, higher education, and all professional roles requiring effective communication and documentation.
Intermediate Stage
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Meaningful Dissertation/Project- (Semester 3-4)
Select a research topic aligned with your interests and career goals, focusing on an India-specific social issue. Dedicate significant effort to original data collection and rigorous analysis. Work closely with your supervisor to plan and execute high-quality research.
Tools & Resources
Mendeley/Zotero for referencing, Statistical software (SPSS, R), MDU research ethics guidelines, Field access resources
Career Connection
Essential for demonstrating research aptitude, critical for roles in research organizations, think tanks, and PhD admissions.
Explore Elective Specializations & Industry Relevance- (Semester 3-4)
Deepen knowledge in chosen elective areas (e.g., Sociology of Gender, Urban Sociology, Industrial Sociology) and connect them to real-world applications and specific industries. Go beyond classroom lectures by reading advanced texts and attending relevant webinars.
Tools & Resources
Specialized academic journals, Industry reports and case studies, Expert talks and professional associations
Career Connection
Helps in identifying niche career paths and making informed choices for future specialization or job applications in specific fields.
Network and Prepare for Placements/Higher Studies- (Semester 4)
Actively build a professional network, participate in mock interviews, and prepare for competitive exams or PhD applications. Attend workshops on resume building and interview techniques. Connect with alumni, faculty, and professionals on platforms like LinkedIn.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn for professional networking, MDU Career Counselling Cell, UGC NET/JRF study materials, Previous year question papers for competitive exams
Career Connection
Directly facilitates securing placements, internships, or admissions into advanced academic programs and competitive government services.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. (Hons.) in Sociology or Bachelor degree with at least 45% marks in aggregate or any other examination recognized by M.D. University, Rohtak as equivalent thereto. A candidate must have studied Sociology as one of the subjects for at least 2 years in Graduation.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 84 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA-101 | Classical Sociological Tradition-I | Core | 4 | Emergence of Sociology, Enlightenment and Industrial Revolutions, Positivism and Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer''''s Evolutionary Theory, Emile Durkheim''''s Social Facts, Division of Labour and Suicide |
| MA-102 | Methods in Sociological Research-I | Core | 4 | Nature of Social Research, Scientific Method in Sociology, Epistemology and Research, Research Design and Types of Research, Formulation of Hypotheses, Ethics in Social Research |
| MA-103 | Indian Society: Structure and Change | Core | 4 | Unity and Diversity in India, Cultural Pluralism and Integration, Village, Family, Kinship, Caste System and its Dynamics, Religious and Tribal Minorities, Processes of Social Change in India |
| MA-104 | Society and Culture | Core | 4 | Concepts of Society and Culture, Social Interaction and Social Structure, Norms, Values, Roles, Status, Socialization and Personality, Social Control and Deviance, Cultural Lag and Diffusion |
| MA-105 | Social Statistics-I | Core | 4 | Importance of Statistics in Sociology, Collection and Organization of Data, Classification and Tabulation, Measures of Central Tendency, Measures of Dispersion, Introduction to Correlation |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA-201 | Classical Sociological Tradition-II | Core | 4 | Karl Marx: Historical Materialism, Class Struggle and Alienation (Marx), Max Weber: Social Action and Authority, Weber''''s Bureaucracy and Protestant Ethic, Pareto: Logical and Non-Logical Action, Veblen: Theory of the Leisure Class |
| MA-202 | Methods in Sociological Research-II | Core | 4 | Survey Research Design, Sampling Techniques, Data Collection Methods (Observation, Interview), Questionnaire and Schedule Construction, Case Study Method, Content Analysis |
| MA-203 | Social Demography | Core | 4 | Nature and Scope of Demography, Theories of Population Growth, Population Composition and Structure, Fertility, Mortality, and Migration, Sources of Demographic Data, Population Policies in India |
| MA-204 | Sociological Concepts | Core | 4 | Community, Association, Institution, Social Groups and Categories, Social Stratification and Mobility, Social Disorganization, Deviance and Conformity, Power and Authority |
| MA-205 | Social Statistics-II | Core | 4 | Regression Analysis, Concepts of Probability, Sampling Distribution, Hypothesis Testing, Parametric Tests (t-test, ANOVA), Non-Parametric Tests (Chi-square) |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA-301 | Contemporary Sociological Theories | Core | 4 | Structural Functionalism (Parsons, Merton), Conflict Perspective (Coser, Dahrendorf), Symbolic Interactionism (Mead, Blumer, Goffman), Phenomenology and Ethnomethodology, Post-Structuralism and Post-Modernism, Feminist Theories |
| MA-302 | Rural Sociology | Core | 4 | Nature and Scope of Rural Sociology, Rural-Urban Continuum, Agrarian Social Structure in India, Land Reforms and Green Revolution, Rural Development Programs, Panchayati Raj Institutions |
| MA-303 | Sociology of Development | Core | 4 | Concept of Development and Underdevelopment, Theories of Development (Modernization, Dependency), World Systems Theory, Sustainable Development, Globalization and Development, Social Movements for Development |
| MA-304 | Urban Sociology | Core | 4 | Urbanization and Urbanism, Urban Ecology and Theories of Urban Growth, Types of Cities in India, Urban Problems (Slums, Pollution, Crime), Urban Planning and Development, Smart Cities Initiative |
| MA-305 | Sociology of Gender (Elective Option I) | Elective | 4 | Concepts of Sex and Gender, Social Construction of Gender, Patriarchy and Feminism, Gender Roles and Socialization, Gender Inequality in India, Women''''s Movements in India |
| MA-306 | Dissertation / Project Work | Project | 4 | Research Problem Formulation, Extensive Literature Review, Methodology and Research Design, Data Collection and Analysis, Report Writing and Presentation, Ethics in Research |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA-401 | Theories of Social Change and Development | Core | 4 | Classical Theories of Social Change, Cyclical and Evolutionary Theories, Conflict and Functionalist Theories of Change, Concept of Social Development, Human Development Index, Social Policy and Planning |
| MA-402 | Environment and Society | Core | 4 | Sociological Perspectives on Environment, Human-Environment Relationship, Environmental Problems and Disasters, Environmental Movements in India, Climate Change and Social Impact, Environmental Policy and Governance |
| MA-403 | Sociology of Health, Illness and Medicine | Core | 4 | Concepts of Health, Illness, and Disease, Sociological Models of Health and Illness, Medical Systems and Health Care Delivery, Public Health in India, Social Epidemiology, Health Policies and Challenges in India |
| MA-404 | Sociology of Crime and Deviance (Elective Option II) | Elective | 4 | Concept of Crime and Deviance, Theories of Crime (Strain, Control, Labeling), Types of Crime (Organized, Cyber, White Collar), Social Control and Punishment, Criminal Justice System in India, Victimology |
| MA-405 | Comprehensive Viva-Voce | Elective | 4 | Overall Understanding of Sociological Concepts, Critical Analysis of Social Issues, Research Aptitude and Methodology, Application of Sociological Knowledge, Current Sociological Debates, Clarity of Thought and Expression |




