Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Rural and Urban Studies Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026

About this course

The subject Rural and Urban studies give an idea on the structures, issues, governance, and processes of development of rural and urban societies in India. The study highlights on the history of rural and urban development processes. The course will develop sociological understanding of rural, tribal, and urban realities focusing on geographical diversities, social stratification, class disparities, caste dynamics, and gender discrimination in context of equity is significant to understand rural-urban realities. Critical understanding of village level agrarian and water crisis, urban related issues on migration and slum development and livelihood issues of tribal communities are the crucial areas to be focused in this study. Understanding of rural, urban and tribal administration and governance is important to intervene in the development processes. Similarly, information on the role of civil society organizations, campaigns for rural and urban development enable to get the vision for development of rural, urban and tribal societies.

Course objectives

• To acquire knowledge of the historical development of rural and urban society.
• To develop critical understanding about the rural and urban governance and processes
• To introduce sociological understanding on urban and rural development.
• To provide an insight on the rural and urban development policies/ programmes

Learning outcomes

• CO 129 Describe and compare the demographic profiles, social structures, and developmental issues of rural, tribal, and urban communities in India.
• CO 130 Critically analyze key social thinkers' perspectives (e.g., Ambedkar, Gandhi, Phule, Periyar, Amartya Sen) on development and social equity in the Indian context.
• CO 131 Examine the structures of governance and livelihood systems in rural, urban, and tribal settings, including relevant policies, programs, and legal frameworks such as the 74th Amendment, PESA, and Tribal Sub-Plan.
• CO 132 Assess contemporary challenges such as migration, urban informal settlements, bonded labor, land and forest rights, and the impact of caste, class, and gender on community life

Unit I: Overview of Indian Rural, Tribal and Urban Communities

• Introduction to concepts related to Urban Rural, Rurality, and Tribal life: Definitions, Demographic Profile, Characteristics, and Issues.
• Concept & demographic profile of Scheduled Tribes (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), Nomadic and De- notified tribes in India)
• Perspectives of Development: Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule Mahatma Gandhi, Periyar Ramaswami, Baba Amte, and Amartya Sen

Essential readings

• Srinivas, M. N. (1998). Village, caste, gender and method: Essays in Indian social anthropology . Oxford University Press.
• Chambers, R. (2017). Can we know better? Reflections for development . Practical Action Publishing.
• Desai, A. R. (Ed.). (2016). Rural sociology in India (6th ed.). Popular Prakashan.

Unit II: Rural Communities: Structure, Governance & Livelihood

• Village Structure;
• Social stratifications: Class, Caste and gender dynamics in context of equiy.
• Rural Livelihoods
• Rural Governance: Funds, Functions, Functionaries

Essential readings

• Srinivas, M. N. (1997). The remembered village . Oxford University Press.
• Joshi, D. (2002). Gandhiji on villages . Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya.
• Jodhka, S. S. (2023). The Indian village: Rural lives in the twenty-first century . Aleph Book Company.

Unit III: Urban Community: Structure, Governance & Livelihood

• Concept of Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft. Concept of Urbanization and
• Informal Settlements
• Issues related to Migration & Citizenship
• Issues of informal settlements Livelihood of urban poor
• Urban Governance: 74th Amendment & Urban Local Bodies, Nagar Rajya Act, Area Sabha & Area Development Funds

Essential readings

• Sandhu, R. S. (2003). Urbanisation in India: Sociological contributions . Sage Publications.
• Prasad, B. K. (2003). Urban development: New perspectives . Sarup & Sons Publishers.
• Mohan, S. (2005). Urban development: New localism . Rawat Publications.

Unit IV: Tribal Communities: Structure, Governance & Livelihood

• Rights of Tribal Communities: Jal, Jungle, Jamin
• Jal: Water Rights
• Jungle: Forest & Farmers Rights, Rights and Entitlements Non-Timber Forest Produce, Jamin: land Rights & Migration.
• Bonded labour & Child Marriage, Livelihood issues
• Tribal Governance : PESA, TSP – Tribal Sub- Plan, Tribal Development Plan (TDP),

Essential readings

• Fürer-Haimendorf, C. von. (1982). Tribes of India: The struggle for survival . University of California Press.
• Xaxa, V. (2022). State, society, and tribes: Issues in post-colonial India . Pearson.