Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Contemporary Development Studies Syllabus - Mumbai University
This is the syllabus of the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is the only college offering the B.S.W. under the University of Mumbai. The college has been autonomous since 2019-20 and empowered autonomous since 2024-25, so it sets this syllabus and conducts these examinations itself, and the degree awarded is still a University of Mumbai degree. The University last set a common B.S.W. paper of its own in 2019; this is the current document, amended in June 2026.
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Syllabus for Contemporary Development Studies
About this course
The Development paradigm adopted by India impacts the lives of every citizen, especially the poverty groups in both urban and rural areas. The Social work professional be it in urban or rural areas inevitably works with the poverty groups dealing with development concerns like migration, displacement, and relocation. The development of intervention models, an integral aspect of social work education and profession has the empowerment of the people at the core. It is essential to learn the basics of the development paradigm and measuring indicators of human development. An insight into development concerns will go a long way in understanding the communities the social work professionals are expected to work with. The understanding of the government Initiatives will help in providing information and skills in availing the benefits of these initiatives
Course objectives
- Gain Insight on theories and concepts of Development
- Apply indicators of measurement of Development
- Get acquainted with Government initiatives related to human development
Learning outcomes
- CO 93 Discuss the theoretical concept of Development
- CO 94 Deliberate on the development concerns of India
- CO 95 Critically reflect on the measurement frameworks such as human development
- CO 96 Analuse the impact of development initiatives of the Government
Unit I: Theories and approaches to development
- Income Approach and Per capita income as key to development
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Welfare Approach- Human Beings are seen as beneficiaries receiving services
- Human Development and Capability Approach
- Basic Needs approach by the International Labour Organisation
- Major pillars of Development: Sustainability, Replicability, Productivity, and Empowerment
Essential readings
- Jean Dreze, Amartya Sen (2013). An Uncertain Glory: India and its Contradictions
- Jean Dreze, Amartya Sen (2002). India: Development and Participation Amartya Sen (2001) Development as Freedom
Unit II: Contemporary development concerns
- Migration for Livelihood
- Distorted Development · Mirage of Development
- Development induced displacement
- Environment
Essential readings
- John Dreze (2019 ) Sense and Solidarity: Jholawala Economics for everyone
Unit III: Measuring Tools of Human Development
- History and concepts of measuring Human Development - Mahbub Ul Haq, Amartya Sen, John Dreze
- Measuring Human Development
- Human Development indicators
- Poverty Index
- Gender Development Index
- Comparative analysis of HDI
Essential readings
- Mahbub Ul Haq (1995) Reflections on Human Development
- Martha C. Nussbaum (2011) Creating Capabilities: Human Development Approach
Unit IV: Government Initiatives Related to Development
- Right to Food: Public Distribution system
- NREGA -National Rural Employment Scheme
- Swatch Bharat Abhiyan
- National Education Policy and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
- India’s Newborn Action plan. National Rural Health Mission National Rural & Urban Livelihood Mission
Essential readings
- Mohan Guruswamy(2006) India's Issues in Development Nirankar Shrivatav, Amaresh Dubey (2011). Poverty,Public Distribution System, and Food Security
Reproduced from Regulations and Syllabus of Bachelor of Social Work Degree (2023), Amended 2026, published by the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is affiliated to the University of Mumbai and sets this syllabus itself. Wording is as printed in that document.
The complete syllabus
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