Social Policy Syllabus 1 Syllabus Mumbai University

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AC- 23/07/2020
Item No. -4.92



UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI









Syllabus of M.A in Social Policy



(As per the Choice Based Credit System)
(To be in troduced from Academic Year 2020 -21)

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University of Mumbai
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Research Centre For Social Justice

MA in Social Policy

Title of the Course O.6598 : MA in Social Policy

Eligibility for the course O.6599 : Graduation in any faculty

Duration of the Course R. 9345 : Two Year (Full Time)

Intake Capacity R.9344 : 40 (Forty )

Fee Structure : To be determined by the University
(suggestion Same as MA Public Policy
Indian S tudents : Rs. 34,405
Foreign Students: As per the university
regulations for SAARC and other countries)

Standard of Passing : A candidate must obtain 50% of the full marks
in all the semesters as prescribed by the
university standards and any other circu lar
published from time to time .

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Draft Syllabus for MA Social Policy
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in his “On the 25thth November, 1949 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
while presenting the Constitution of India cautioned the State in the following words “We
are going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics we will have equality and in social
and economic life we will have inequality”.

The course essentiall y trains the student to view policy process in a different perspective
altogether. The emphasis of the academics in India is more on Public Policy, which is
essentially driven by economic considerations. However, in India it is important to
understand that the basic edifice of the society is based on social indicators. What India needs
at this point of time is a more broader base of (social) policy more than a public policy.
Hence, it becomes pertinent to understand the society, and accordingly work towards a policy
that suits and is beneficial to the larger spectrum of the social groups. This course attempts to
train the student in understanding the perspectives of future equitable society.

Objectives of the programme:
MA in social policy aims to engage wi th disadvantaged and vulnerable social groups.
To train the pupils in key concepts in the field of social policy, including the welfare
state, distributive justice, affirmative action, interest groups, social movements,
institutions, and culture and ideo logy, gain practice using Political Science and
Sociology’s theoretical toolkit (power, networks, institutions, and culture) to analyze the
development, implementation, and effects of social policy explore how the broader social
context shapes policy success and failure, drawing implications for policymakers .
Structure of the course:
1. The credit -based semester system shall be a full -time, two year, four semester course.
2. A student shall have to acquire 96 credits to qualify for the degree of MPP, 48 of whi ch
shall be obtained from core courses while the other 48 shall be obtained from electives.
3. Each semester is roughly of fifteen weeks duration.

Master’s Dissertation : During the second year of study, students will work on a
dissertation under the guidance of a faculty member. In Semester IV the learner will

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submit the thesis of a minimum 12,000 words. However it is expected that the candidate
must start exploring the subjects/themes in their first semester itself and finalize their
research topic before the first semester end. It is expected that the student write a brief
proposal of their study and get it approved by the beginning of the second semester,
conduct the field survey or other data as may be required and submit the final dissertation
in the fourth semester. Following the presentation and viva -voice examination, shall the
student be evaluated.

Internship: Students with little or no prior experience in the a reas of the study will be
strongly encouraged to opt for internship. The internship will allow students to apply their
knowledge to significant problems in the public, private, or non -profit sectors and thus
develop hands -on skills. The internship will als o enable students to reflect on their career
direction and thus make a more informed selection of second -year electives. It will assist
students in establishing networks that will enhance chances of securing employment after
graduation.

Pedagogy: The co urse will draw on teaching from across the University, from the
Department of Politics, Economics, Sociology to Philosophy as well as from policy
professionals from the public, private and voluntary sectors. Teaching will be through
traditional lectures, c ase studies and student seminars. Course material is to be given at
the beginning of the semester and students will be expected to read as prescribed and
come prepared to class.

How to Apply: The Application form available in the Department Office of the Dr.
Babasaheb Amebedkar International Research Centre for Social Justice has to be filled.
The following documents will have to be submitted:
1. Certified copies of Marksheets of all years of graduation (two copies)
2. Ration Card photocopy (proof of a ddress)
3. Gap certificate.
4. Photographs (two)
Students from universities other than University of Mumbai will have to:
1. Fill up the form for Eligibility in the Eligibility Section housed in Ground floor Dr.
Ambedkar Bhavan (Administrative Wing on University of Mumbai, Kalina Campus),

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2. Two Sets of following Marksheets:  SSC,  HSC,  First to Final Year of Graduation
3. Photographs (5)




Semester -I
1. Dr. Ambedkar and Social Policy
2. Theories of Social Policy -I
3. Methods of Social Policy Research -I: Qualitative Research
4. Methods of Social Policy Research -II Quantitative Research

Semester -II
1. Dr. Ambedkar and Economic Policies
2. Planning, Financing and Implementing Welfare Policies
3. Theories of Social Policy -II
4. Methods of Social Research -II
5. Comparative Soc ial Policy
Semester -III
1. Consequences and Outcomes of Social Policy in India
2. Differentiation Society
3. Elective - I
4. Elective -II
Indicative Electives
a) Globalisation and Social Policy
b) New thinking about social welfare
c) Social Programmes and their achievements
d) Gender and Social Policy
e) Education policy
f) Employment
Semester -IV Electives
1. Perspectives on neoliberalism and critique of Political Economy
2. Culture, Society and Communication
3. Elective -I
4. Elective -II
Indicative Electives
a) Inequality and Exclusion
b) Governance Issues and the success of Policy
c) Health Policy
d) Caste assertions (Marathas, Jats, Pattidars)
e) Agriculture policy

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f) Poverty

References
Alexander, John M. (2008). Capabilities and social justice: the political philosophy of
Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. Routledge.
Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Writings and Speeches, Government of Maharashtra
Bauman , Z. (1993). Globalisation: the Human Consequences. Cambridge, UK: Polity
Press
Bourdieu, P. (1987). What Makes a Social Class? On theoretical and Practical
Existence o f Groups. Berkeley Journal of Sociology. 32, PP 1 -17
Bourdieu, P.( 1977{1972]). Outline of a theory and Practice. Cambridge University
Press.
Chakrabarti, Rajesh & Sanyal, Kaushiki (2016). Public policy in India. Oxford
University Press
Constituent Ass embly debates, Government of India
De Jong, Philip, R. & Marmor, Theodore, R. (2020). Social policy and labour
market. Routledge.
Dreze, J. (2016). Social Policy. Orient Blackswan and EPW.
Hebarmas, J. (1991[1962]). The Theory of Communicative Action, Volume Two: The
Critique of Functionalist Reason. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
Jaffrelot, Christophe, Kohli, Atul & Murali, Kanta (Eds.). (2019). Business and
politics in India.Oxford University Press.
Jha, Praveen & Gita Rani, P. (2016). Right to education in India: resources,
institutions and public policy. Routledge.
Jodhka, Surinder & Manor, James (2017). Contested hierarchies, persisting
influence: caste and power in twenty first century India. Orient Blackswan.
Kruks -Wisner, Gabrielle. (20 19). Claiming the state. Cambridge University Press
Mathur, Kuldeep. (2015). Public policy and politics in India: why institutions matter.
Oxford University Press.
Mehrotra, Nilika. (2013). Disability, gender and social policy: exploring the margins.
Rawat Publications.
Murali, Kanta (2018). Caste, class and capital: the social and political origins of
economic policy in India. Cambridge University Press.
Piketty, Thomas (2017). Capital in the twenty first century. Harvard University Press.
Piketty, Thomas & Goldhammer, Arthur (2020). Capital and ideology. Belknap
Press.
Reddy, Srikant, K. (2019). Make health in India: Reaching a billion plus. Orient
Blackswan
Sen, A and Dreze, J. (2013). The Uncertain Glory. Penguin Books
Shah, Ghanshyam. (Ed.). (2001). Social movements and the state. Sage Publications.
Vaidyanatha Ayyar, R.V. (2017). History of education policy making in India: 1947 -
2016. Oxford University Pres s.

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Justifications for the new courses under the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International
Research Centre, University of Mumbai sought by the Hon’ble Chancellors Office under
Section 74(4) of the Maharashtra Public Universities Act, 2016.

Introduction:
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution of India, is one of the most
illustrious alumni of the university of Mumbai. His contribution not only as a student but also
as a teacher in Sydhenam College, Principal of Government Law College and the Member of
the Senate to the University of Mumbai is immense. It i s needless to say what he has
contributed to the social and political life of country.

The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Research Centre is one of the demand that has
originated from the society to give a respectable place in academics to Dr. Baba saheb
Ambekdar not in terms of naming the chair or a building in his name but to have a centre of
higher learning and research on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

This year we will be entering into 100 years of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s admission to
London School o f Economics. The London School of Economics has offered a collaboration
with the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Research Centre, University of Mumbai.
They have promised that one scholar will be visiting London School of Economics every
year. A joint Conference on Dr. Ambedkar and a Public Lecture in Mumbai. Apart from this
a student delegation will be hosted by LSE every year.


Following these developments the University of Mumbai has instituted Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar International Research Centre t o study Dr. Ambedkar. The Centre has proposed
four MA Programmes namely,

1. MA in Ambedkar Studies (4.91)
2. MA in Buddhist Studies (4.93)
3. MA in Development Policy . (4.94)
4. MA in Social Policy (4.92)

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Each of these courses are well thought keeping under consideration the current academic
developments in India and in leading universities. There is a serious attempt to also look at
the employability and high -end research in Ambedkar thoughts.


1. Necessity of starting this course i s that the economic planning is not the right indicator
of development. Social measurements are the most important indicators of social
development especially like in the country like India. Social indicators are gaining a
lot of importance in the country today, these indicators in terms of a policy are
necessary to be understood. Hence the necessity of the course.

2. MA in social policy is a course that is a need of an hour. Many foreign universities are
gradually shifting from Public Policy to Social Polic y. Some of the leading universities
in United Kingdom like the London School of Economics, Oxford University ,
Edinburgh and more than 10 universities in the United States. Apart from this the
course is offered in Scandinavian countries.

Some papers are be ing offered in the institutes like the Tata Institute of Social Science
and other universities. University of Mumbai will be the first university in the country
to offer MA in social policy. Department of Civics an Politics already is engaged in
teaching M A in Public Policy, if we attempt to take this course forward, we will be
among the very few universities who will be offering both the courses.

3. This courses are not yet offered. The university plans to begin the courses from the
next academic year 2021. The university is due to invite applications for various
courses in the university. It may also call for applications for Development Studies.

4. The course is self -financed. Teachers to teach this course are available in various
departments as this being an interdisciplinary course.

5. A detailed syllabus and the papers proposed in all the semesters is passed by the
academic council of the University and the same has been sent to your good office.
Since it is an intensive MA Programme, thus four semesters are mandatory as per the
UGC. Hence, the course content or duration cannot be compressed. The course is

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designed with the needs of New Education Policy in terms of internship and training
component as an integral part of the course .

6. At the moment we would li ke to keep the intake capacity to forty students only.
Depending upon the popularity of course we intend to increase to 60 seats only.

7. Employability of the course is immense. All the social sectors are asking for social
audit/social impact of the policy a nd so forth. Many international banks are hiring
research scholars who could give social policy recommendations to various projects.
International organisations are also focusing on social policy initiatives. All the
indicators of Sustainable Development G oals 2030 are embedded in the social policy.