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M-A in Sociology at University of Delhi
Delhi, Delhi
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About the Specialization
What is Sociology at University of Delhi Delhi?
This M.A. Sociology program at University of Delhi focuses on advanced sociological theories, research methodologies, and contemporary social issues in India. It aims to develop a critical understanding of societal structures, changes, and challenges, preparing students for academic research, policy analysis, and diverse roles in social development. The program emphasizes an Indian context, reflecting the country''''s unique social dynamics and policy needs.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates with a background in Sociology or other Social Sciences seeking entry into social research, policy-making, or further academic pursuits. It also caters to working professionals aiming to enhance their analytical skills in societal dynamics, and career changers transitioning into roles requiring deep understanding of Indian society, particularly in NGOs, government sectors, and research organizations.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue careers as social researchers, policy analysts, development professionals, academics, or work in NGOs and civil society organizations across India. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 LPA, growing significantly with experience. Growth trajectories involve leadership roles in research institutions, policy think tanks, and social sector management, aligning with India''''s increasing focus on evidence-based social interventions.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Foundational Sociological Theories- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate significant time to thoroughly understand classical and contemporary sociological theories, focusing on their origins, key concepts, and applications in the Indian context. Form study groups to discuss complex ideas and cross-reference multiple interpretations.
Tools & Resources
University library resources, JSTOR and online academic journals, Peer discussion forums
Career Connection
A strong theoretical foundation is crucial for advanced research, policy analysis, and developing a critical sociological perspective essential for any role in social sciences.
Develop Robust Research Methodology Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in all practical sessions related to research methods. Seek out opportunities to apply learned techniques in small-scale projects or assignments, practicing data collection, analysis, and basic report writing. Pay attention to ethical considerations in research.
Tools & Resources
SPSS or R for statistical analysis (basic level), Qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo-lite trials), Online tutorials for research software
Career Connection
Essential for any research-oriented role, policy analysis, and even data-driven decision-making in NGOs and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Engage with Indian Social Realities through Field Visits- (Semester 1-2)
Whenever possible, participate in department-organized field visits to local communities, NGOs, or social institutions. Independently observe and critically reflect on the functioning of social institutions and dynamics discussed in coursework, relating theory to real-world scenarios.
Tools & Resources
Local NGOs, Community centers, Urban/rural development projects (as opportunities arise), Journaling for critical reflection
Career Connection
Provides crucial contextual understanding of India''''s unique social challenges, enhancing empathy and practical problem-solving skills vital for development sector and policy roles.
Intermediate Stage
Deepen Specialization via Electives and Independent Study- (Semester 3)
Strategically choose elective papers that align with emerging career interests or areas of deeper academic passion. Complement coursework with independent reading on the chosen specialization, perhaps identifying potential dissertation topics early.
Tools & Resources
Advanced academic databases, Specialized journals, Faculty consultation for reading lists, Online MOOCs in specific sub-fields of sociology
Career Connection
Specialization helps in carving out a niche, making candidates more attractive for specific roles in research, policy, or advocacy within their chosen domain.
Pursue Internships with Social Sector Organizations- (Semester 3 (during breaks and semester))
Actively seek and complete at least one short-term internship with a reputable NGO, research institution, or government agency working on social issues. Focus on gaining hands-on experience in research, project management, or community engagement.
Tools & Resources
University career services, Online internship portals (Internshala, LinkedIn), Direct applications to NGOs and think tanks
Career Connection
Practical experience is invaluable for placements, providing real-world exposure, networking opportunities, and a strong addition to one''''s resume for entry into the social sector.
Participate in Academic Conferences and Workshops- (Semester 3)
Attend and, if possible, present papers at national or university-level academic conferences and workshops. This provides exposure to current research, opportunities to network with scholars, and refines presentation skills.
Tools & Resources
Departmental announcements, University event calendars, Social science associations in India
Career Connection
Builds academic profile, enhances critical thinking and communication skills, and opens doors for higher studies or academic careers.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Rigorous Dissertation/Project- (Semester 4)
Invest deeply in the dissertation or project, treating it as a capstone research experience. Select a topic of high personal interest and societal relevance, ensuring robust methodology and thorough analysis. Regularly consult with your supervisor.
Tools & Resources
University research labs (if applicable), Advanced statistical software (if applicable), Extensive literature review platforms, Faculty mentorship
Career Connection
A well-executed dissertation showcases independent research capability, critical thinking, and commitment, highly valued in research roles, academia, and policy analysis.
Focus on Placement Preparation and Networking- (Semester 4)
Actively participate in placement activities, mock interviews, and resume-building workshops. Network with alumni, faculty, and professionals in target organizations. Identify potential employers (NGOs, think tanks, government departments) and tailor applications.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, LinkedIn for professional networking, Alumni network, Career counseling services
Career Connection
Directly prepares students for job interviews and secures employment in relevant fields immediately after graduation.
Explore Higher Education and Civil Services Options- (Semester 4 and post-graduation)
For those aspiring to academia, prepare for NET/JRF examinations and explore Ph.D. opportunities. For civil services, begin preliminary preparation, focusing on current affairs and social issues as relevant for exams like UPSC.
Tools & Resources
NET/JRF study materials and previous papers, Coaching institutes (if opting), Current affairs magazines and government publications
Career Connection
Provides pathways to advanced academic research, teaching positions, or prestigious government administrative roles, contributing to public policy and governance in India.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.A. (Hons.) Sociology from University of Delhi with 50% or above marks; or B.A. (Hons.) in any subject (Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences) with 60% or above marks; or B.A./B.Sc./B.Com. from University of Delhi or any other recognized university with 60% or above marks; or Master''''s or Ph.D. degree from University of Delhi or any other recognized university (as per university admission guidelines for the academic year).
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 64 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCLC 01 | Classical Sociological Traditions – I | Core | 4 | Auguste Comte and Positivism, Emile Durkheim: Division of Labour, Social Facts, Karl Marx: Historical Materialism, Class Conflict, Max Weber: Rationality, Bureaucracy, Protestant Ethic, Foundational concepts in Sociology |
| SCLC 02 | Methods of Sociological Inquiry – I | Core | 4 | Philosophy of Social Science, Positivist and Interpretive Approaches, Logic of Inquiry in Social Sciences, Introduction to Quantitative Research, Introduction to Qualitative Research |
| SCLC 03 | India’s Social Institutions – I | Core | 4 | Village and Agrarian Structure, Caste System: Origin, Transformations, Kinship and Marriage Patterns, Family Structures and Dynamics, Tribes and Scheduled Areas |
| SCLC 04 | Dynamics of Indian Society – I | Core | 4 | Colonialism and its Impact, Nationalism and Nation-Building, Social Reform Movements, Industrialization and Urbanization, Processes of Modernization in India |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCLC 05 | Classical Sociological Traditions – II | Core | 4 | Critical Theory (Frankfurt School), Structuralism (Lévi-Strauss, Althusser), Post-structuralism (Foucault, Derrida), Symbolic Interactionism (Mead, Goffman), Feminist Theories and Gender Perspectives |
| SCLC 06 | Methods of Sociological Inquiry – II | Core | 4 | Research Design and Problem Formulation, Sampling Techniques and Methods, Data Collection Methods (Survey, Interview), Observation and Content Analysis, Ethics in Social Research |
| SCLC 07 | India’s Social Institutions – II | Core | 4 | Religion and Secularism in India, Education System and Social Mobility, Political Institutions and Processes, Economy and Labour Market, Law, Justice and Society |
| SCLD 01 | Sociology of Childhood | Elective | 4 | Conceptualizing Childhood, Children and Socialization, Child Labour and Exploitation, Children’s Rights and Policies, Children in India: Challenges and Development |
| SCLD 02 | Sociology of Family and Kinship | Elective | 4 | Theoretical Approaches to Family, Family Structures and Types, Marriage Systems and Practices, Kinship Organisation and Descent, Changing Family in Modern India |
| SCLD 03 | Sociology of Health | Elective | 4 | Social Construction of Health and Illness, Medical Systems and Health Practices, Health Inequalities and Disparities, Public Health Policy in India, Globalisation and Health |
| SCLD 04 | Social Demography | Elective | 4 | Theories of Population, Fertility and Mortality, Migration: Types and Impact, Population Structure and Composition, Population Policies in India |
| SCLD 05 | Sociology of Development | Elective | 4 | Theories of Development and Underdevelopment, Development Planning in India, Poverty, Inequality and Exclusion, Sustainable Development Goals, Globalisation and Development Debates |
| SCLD 06 | Sociology of Gender | Elective | 4 | Gender as a Social Construct, Feminist Perspectives on Society, Patriarchy and Gender Relations, Gender, Work and Economy, Women’s Movements in India |
| SCLD 07 | Urban Sociology | Elective | 4 | Classical Urban Theories, Urbanization in India: Trends and Challenges, Urban Poverty and Informal Sector, Slums and Marginality, Urban Governance and Planning |
| SCLD 08 | Sociology of Environment | Elective | 4 | Human-Environment Interaction, Environmental Movements in India, Climate Change and Society, Resource Management and Sustainability, Environmental Justice and Equity |
| SCLD 09 | Political Sociology | Elective | 4 | Power, Authority and State, Political Parties and Ideologies, Social Movements and Protest, Democracy and Citizenship in India, Caste, Class and Politics |
| SCLD 10 | Sociology of Work and Industry | Elective | 4 | Work in Industrial and Post-Industrial Societies, Organization of Work and Management, Labour Relations and Trade Unions, Informal Sector and Gig Economy, Changing Nature of Work in India |
| SCLD 11 | Sociology of Education | Elective | 4 | Education as Social Institution, Socialization and Curriculum, Inequality and Access to Education, Education Policy in India, Higher Education and Society |
| SCLD 12 | Sociology of Religion | Elective | 4 | Classical Theories of Religion, Religion, Modernity and Secularism, Religious Pluralism in India, Communalism and Identity Politics, New Religious Movements |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCLC 08 | Contemporary Sociological Theories | Core | 4 | Postmodernism and Post-structuralism Revisited, Network Society (Castells), Globalization Theories (Giddens, Appadurai), Risk Society (Beck), Actor-Network Theory (Latour) |
| SCLC 09 | Research Design and Data Analysis | Core | 4 | Formulating Research Questions and Hypotheses, Quantitative Data Analysis Techniques, Qualitative Data Analysis Techniques, Interpretation of Findings, Academic Report Writing |
| SCLD 01 | Sociology of Childhood | Elective | 4 | Conceptualizing Childhood, Children and Socialization, Child Labour and Exploitation, Children’s Rights and Policies, Children in India: Challenges and Development |
| SCLD 02 | Sociology of Family and Kinship | Elective | 4 | Theoretical Approaches to Family, Family Structures and Types, Marriage Systems and Practices, Kinship Organisation and Descent, Changing Family in Modern India |
| SCLD 03 | Sociology of Health | Elective | 4 | Social Construction of Health and Illness, Medical Systems and Health Practices, Health Inequalities and Disparities, Public Health Policy in India, Globalisation and Health |
| SCLD 04 | Social Demography | Elective | 4 | Theories of Population, Fertility and Mortality, Migration: Types and Impact, Population Structure and Composition, Population Policies in India |
| SCLD 05 | Sociology of Development | Elective | 4 | Theories of Development and Underdevelopment, Development Planning in India, Poverty, Inequality and Exclusion, Sustainable Development Goals, Globalisation and Development Debates |
| SCLD 06 | Sociology of Gender | Elective | 4 | Gender as a Social Construct, Feminist Perspectives on Society, Patriarchy and Gender Relations, Gender, Work and Economy, Women’s Movements in India |
| SCLD 07 | Urban Sociology | Elective | 4 | Classical Urban Theories, Urbanization in India: Trends and Challenges, Urban Poverty and Informal Sector, Slums and Marginality, Urban Governance and Planning |
| SCLD 08 | Sociology of Environment | Elective | 4 | Human-Environment Interaction, Environmental Movements in India, Climate Change and Society, Resource Management and Sustainability, Environmental Justice and Equity |
| SCLD 09 | Political Sociology | Elective | 4 | Power, Authority and State, Political Parties and Ideologies, Social Movements and Protest, Democracy and Citizenship in India, Caste, Class and Politics |
| SCLD 10 | Sociology of Work and Industry | Elective | 4 | Work in Industrial and Post-Industrial Societies, Organization of Work and Management, Labour Relations and Trade Unions, Informal Sector and Gig Economy, Changing Nature of Work in India |
| SCLD 11 | Sociology of Education | Elective | 4 | Education as Social Institution, Socialization and Curriculum, Inequality and Access to Education, Education Policy in India, Higher Education and Society |
| SCLD 12 | Sociology of Religion | Elective | 4 | Classical Theories of Religion, Religion, Modernity and Secularism, Religious Pluralism in India, Communalism and Identity Politics, New Religious Movements |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCLC 10 | Globalisation and Social Transformation in India | Core | 4 | Theories of Globalisation, Neo-liberalism and its Impact, Cultural Flows and Hybridity, Social Movements in the Era of Globalisation, Indian Diaspora and Transnationalism |
| SCLD 01 | Sociology of Childhood | Elective | 4 | Conceptualizing Childhood, Children and Socialization, Child Labour and Exploitation, Children’s Rights and Policies, Children in India: Challenges and Development |
| SCLD 02 | Sociology of Family and Kinship | Elective | 4 | Theoretical Approaches to Family, Family Structures and Types, Marriage Systems and Practices, Kinship Organisation and Descent, Changing Family in Modern India |
| SCLD 03 | Sociology of Health | Elective | 4 | Social Construction of Health and Illness, Medical Systems and Health Practices, Health Inequalities and Disparities, Public Health Policy in India, Globalisation and Health |
| SCLD 04 | Social Demography | Elective | 4 | Theories of Population, Fertility and Mortality, Migration: Types and Impact, Population Structure and Composition, Population Policies in India |
| SCLD 05 | Sociology of Development | Elective | 4 | Theories of Development and Underdevelopment, Development Planning in India, Poverty, Inequality and Exclusion, Sustainable Development Goals, Globalisation and Development Debates |
| SCLD 06 | Sociology of Gender | Elective | 4 | Gender as a Social Construct, Feminist Perspectives on Society, Patriarchy and Gender Relations, Gender, Work and Economy, Women’s Movements in India |
| SCLD 07 | Urban Sociology | Elective | 4 | Classical Urban Theories, Urbanization in India: Trends and Challenges, Urban Poverty and Informal Sector, Slums and Marginality, Urban Governance and Planning |
| SCLD 08 | Sociology of Environment | Elective | 4 | Human-Environment Interaction, Environmental Movements in India, Climate Change and Society, Resource Management and Sustainability, Environmental Justice and Equity |
| SCLD 09 | Political Sociology | Elective | 4 | Power, Authority and State, Political Parties and Ideologies, Social Movements and Protest, Democracy and Citizenship in India, Caste, Class and Politics |
| SCLD 10 | Sociology of Work and Industry | Elective | 4 | Work in Industrial and Post-Industrial Societies, Organization of Work and Management, Labour Relations and Trade Unions, Informal Sector and Gig Economy, Changing Nature of Work in India |
| SCLD 11 | Sociology of Education | Elective | 4 | Education as Social Institution, Socialization and Curriculum, Inequality and Access to Education, Education Policy in India, Higher Education and Society |
| SCLD 12 | Sociology of Religion | Elective | 4 | Classical Theories of Religion, Religion, Modernity and Secularism, Religious Pluralism in India, Communalism and Identity Politics, New Religious Movements |
| SCLP 01 | Dissertation/Project/Field Work | Project | 4 | Research Problem Identification, Extensive Literature Review, Methodology and Data Collection, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Academic Writing and Presentation |
