Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Participatory Rural Appraisal 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 Participatory Rural Appraisal
About this course
India is a country with majority population residing in villages. Rural life along with the natural resources and scenic beauty also poses various challenges for the people. Interventions in the rural areas have held a special position in the education and practice of social work profession for years. Subject paper will include various approaches to participatory methods including Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Rapid Appraisal. This would provide hands on skills to the learner in implementing PRA techniques in their practice.
Course objectives
- To understand the historical evolution, key principles, and the contextual relevance of participatory methods such as Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) within the framework of social work, integrating an awareness of rural realities.
- To acquire proficiency in employing a diverse array of participatory tools while delineating the roles and responsibilities of a social worker within these activities.
- To evaluate and apply learned PRA skills in real-world scenarios, critically analysing and selecting appropriate tools for diverse evaluation objectives, activities, and community contexts, fostering an understanding of effective evaluation processes.
- To synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course to foster community empowerment, integrating PRA methodologies into social work practice, and devising strategies to address community needs and enhance participatory & bottom-up decision- making processes.
Learning outcomes
- CO 109 Discuss PRA's history, principles, and its significance in addressing rural challenges within social work.
- CO 110 Demonstrate skills of PRA techniques
- CO 111 Reflect on the role of social worker in engaging communities through participatory processes like PRA.
- CO 112 Critically evaluate the selection of appropriate tools for community empowerment within social work contexts.
Unit I: Understanding Participatory Approaches
- Understanding rural realities.
- Defining Participatory Approaches
- Evolution, principles and relevance of Participatory Rural Appraisal, Participatory Rapid Appraisal in social work profession.
Essential readings
- Narayanasamy, N. (2009). Participatory rural appraisal: Principles, methods and application. SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd
Unit II: Tools
- GIS
- Seasonal Calendar
- Pair wise ranking
- Venn Diagram
- Journal – Group, Daily Activity, Field notes (Everydayness Subjective Realities)
- Transect Walk Social Mapping Seasonal Mapping Resource Mapping
- Daily Activity Mapping Body Mapping
Essential readings
- Mukherjee, A. (Ed.). (2004). Participatory Rural Appraisal: Methods and Applications in Rural Planning: Essays in Honour of Robert Chambers (Vol. 5, Studies in Rural Participation). Concept Publishing Company.
- Bandyopadhyay, D., Mukherjee, A., & Gavai, M. S. (2003). Empowering Panchayats: Handbook for Master Trainers: Using Participatory Approach, Issues 1-20. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Task Force on Panchayati Raj. Concept Publishing Company.
- Sontakki, B., Venkatesan, P., & Rao, V. K. J. (2019, September 25). Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): Tools & Techniques.
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
This subject is cut from the college's own syllabus document. Open it here if you want the whole thing rather than a single subject.