Top 9 social science courses you can consider

Study aspects of social formation, structure and form of society through courses ranging from diplomas in transportation to craft design. Also, courses on geriatric care, infrastructure, child care and counselling and population studies. Read on.

India was one of the few countries which gained independence in 20th century to realise the importance of social science for national well being.

So it went on to create a host of institutions to study all aspects of social formation, structure and form of society. A thriving regime for ideas, new initiatives, new theoretical frames emerged in due course. While some institutes could do with drastic makeovers most are in fine fettle.

Here we discuss about nine such gems. The institutions and courses range from very focussed diplomas in transportation to those close to the rural heart, crafts design.

Also presented here are programmes on geriatric care, science education, infrastructure, child care and counselling and population studies.

Fast Facts
Institute: Institute of Rail Transport, New Delhi
Duration: 1 year
Fee: Rs. 4000
Eligibility: A degree/diploma in any subject from a recognised University/Institute
Website: http://www.irt-india.com

Containerisation means packaging material, usually cargo, in large standardised containers for efficient shipping and handling.

This diploma course, taught in distance mode, familiarises fresh graduates with management and logistics. The course is also useful for those who are already working in various ministries, public and private sector enterprises involved in transportation, freight forwarding, cargo handling, customs house agents, shippers, containers and those dealing with logistic management.

The course is divided into 8 modules, including concept of Multi-Modal Transport, Modes of Transport and Planning, Ports Logistics and Connectivity with ICDs, Documentation and Customs Procedures, Conventions, Cargo and Container Handling, Cargo and Liability Insurance, and India's Growing Conflict.

Recognised by the Ministry of Railways, this course is a desirable qualification for jobs in the Commercial, Operating, Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering Departments. Institute of Rail Transport, New Delhi is controlled by a Governing Council which includes Chairman of the Railway Board, among others.

Fast Facts
Institute: Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education
Duration: 2 years
Scholarship: Rs.16, 000 per month + Rs.20, 000 as annual contingency grant
Eligibility: BSc followed by MSc/MA/MSW or BTech/BE/MBBS or equivalent
Website: http://www.hbcse.tifr.res.in

The PhD programme in Science Education promotes research and development in the science, technology and mathematics education. It focuses on education, from primary schooling up to undergraduate level and helps scholars to combine a basic training in the natural sciences with a lively interest in society, technology or arts.

It will suit those who have a flair for teaching and writing and an interest in learning methodologies. Science and Mathematics teachers who are interested in conducting research in their respective areas can also undertake it.

The specific research areas underlined by the institute include development of scientific and mathematical thinking in children, design and technology in the school curriculum, visual and spatial modes in learning, socio-cultural and gender factors in learning, structure and dynamics of knowledge, environment education and innovative curricula, laboratories and teaching methods.

The research is converted into educational materials for school students. A research scholar will receive a monthly scholarship of Rs. 16,000 (enhanced to Rs. 18,000 after registration) and an annual contingency grant of Rs. 20,000 along with accommodation at a nominal cost.

An admission test is conducted to select candidates followed by a personal interview. Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) was founded in July 1974 under Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. It was initially located at Nana Chowk Municipal Secondary School in Mumbai, but was shifted in 1992 to Anushaktinagar in the same city.

Fast Facts
Institute: Indian Institute of Crafts & Design
Duration: UG Diploma: four years; PG Diploma: 2.5 years
Fees: Rs. 90,000 approx. (Including hostel and mess facilities) for UG and PG
Eligibility: UG: 12th pass, PG: Passed degree/diploma in architecture, design, fashion, fine & applied arts, BSc Home Science in Textiles & Clothing or graduate with work experience in craft sector/NGOs.
Website: www.iicd.ac.in

Indian Institute of Craft and Design (IICD), Jaipur, Rajasthan, combines traditional knowledge and skills with contemporary needs to evolve methodologies that will keep alive India's crafts traditions.

The Institute offers a four-year (8 semesters) undergraduate diploma in craft design. It aims at making the students understand various craft traditions, their strengths and weaknesses and learn to develop design solutions for contemporary markets.

They go through one-year/two semesters of foundation, learning the basics of design, following which they can choose to specialize in hard material curriculum (wood, metal, stone), fired material curriculum (terracotta, ceramics) or soft material curriculum (paper, fibre, fabric).

Students can apply for this course after completing Class 12th. IICD also offers Post Graduate Diploma in Craft Design and Post Graduate Diploma in Craft Management & Entrepreneurship.

The Post Graduation programmes are of two-and-a-half years or five semesters with many specialisations. About 25 per cent of seats are reserved for students who are domiciled in Rajasthan.

Log on to www.iicd.ac.in to find out further details of the course and placements.

Fast Facts
Institute: Institute of Foreign Policy Studies (IFPS), University of Calcutta
Duration: 2 years
Scholarship: Rs. 6000 per month
Eligibility: Applicants should have passed MA/MSc/MCom or equivalent
exam of Calcutta university with 55 percent marks in aggregate (50 percent for SC/ST) or with 60 percent marks in aggregate of any other recognised University. Students who are taking MA Part-II examination may also apply provisionally and sit for the admission test.
Website: http://www.caluniv.ac.in/ifps/index.html

The MPhil in Foreign Policy Studies aims at preparing foreign policy specialists who can offer advice on matters pertaining to India's international relations. The course is funded by the Ministry of External Affairs and conducted by the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies under University of Calcutta.

Each student receives a fellowship of Rs. 6000 p.m. The main objective is to establish broad problems of International Relations, the role of foreign policy making and how it has evolved in the country.

The focus is on the South Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian and the West Asian regions with special emphasis on the international border zones of India.

The student has to do an independent research and then write a dissertation. The main modules of the course, primarily taught in seminar format are: Theory and practice of International Relations and Foreign Policy Analysis, Indian Foreign Policy in Practice, Internal dynamics of the various regions of Asia, Multilateral Diplomacy: theory and practice, India in the Indian Ocean World, India's 'Look East' Policy etc.

Fast Facts
Institute: National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR)
Duration: 1-2 years
Fee: Not available
Eligibility: Varies with programmes
Website: http://www.nicmar.ac.in

The infrastructure and real estate sector has an ever growing demand for skilled professionals, like project managers and civil engineers.

National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR) was established to cater to some of this demand. It's a non-government, non-profit academic body recognised by the Government of India as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO).

It offers eight full-time and part-time postgraduate courses taught with technical assistance from United Nations Development Programme and academic inputs from the faculty of Loughbourgh and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

The courses include Post Graduate Programme in Advanced Construction Management (PGP ACM), Post Graduate Programme in Project Engineering and Management (PGP PEM), Post Graduate Programme in Infrastructure Finance, Development & Management (PGP IFDM), Post Graduate Programme in Construction Management (PGP CM), Post Graduate Programme in Project Management (PGP PM).

Working professionals can choose to attain expertise in the field through a Post Graduate Programme in Construction Management for Working Executives (PGPCMWE).

Fast Facts
Institute: National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD)
Duration: 1 year, including 2 months of internship
Fee: Rs. 43, 000
Eligibility: Master's degree in Social Work or Psychology or Child Development; OR Graduate in these subjects with minimum five years of experience of working with children; OR BEd with minimum of four years of similar experience.
Website: http://nipccd.nic.in

The enactment of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, requires the government to shoulder an enormous responsibility for protecting child rights.

Aiming to address this need, National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) offers a diploma course in Child Guidance and Counselling. It is affiliated to Delhi's Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.

It would interest those students with a social service streak who are aspiring to work with children. It provides an opportunity to learners to design and undertake activities with children and families in different settings using scientific methods.

In the internship period at the end of the course, the student is placed in an agency or project in or outside Delhi.

Successful participants find place as child counsellors and mental health professionals in various educational institutions, hospitals, NGOs, rehabilitation agencies, child guidance centres, and health, education and welfare departments of the Central and State Governments.

Various modules of the course include Child Development, Exceptional Variations in Child Development, Techniques of Child and Adolescent Assessment, Child Rights and Policy, Group Work and Community Interventions, Family Interventions, Intervention for Children, Intervention for Adolescents and Integrating Interventions. A written test is conducted to select the candidates, which assesses their general and social awareness and English skills.

Fast Facts
Institute: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)
Duration: One- year part-time evening programme
Eligibility: Bachelor's Degree with 25 years or above of age. NGO personnel involved with geriatric services in fields like health and education; administrators of human service organisations and corporate sector personnel.
Website: http://tiss.edu

Gerontology is the scientific study of the biological, psychological, and sociological phenomena associated with old age and aging.

Participants can engage in direct services, initiate and sustain programmes for older adults, be active members of inter-disciplinary teams working with older adults and supervise and train field functionaries, especially paraprofessionals and volunteers.

Such skills are required in various human service organisations like social agencies, medical and educational institutions as well as the initiatives for older adults ranging from institutional care to day care centres, community-based interventions and senior citizens' associations.

Some of the major course modules are: Health and Wellbeing, Policies, Programmes and Management of Services for Older Adults, Developmental and Therapeutic Interventions with Family and Older Adults, Collective Action, Advocacy and Networking, Older Adults with Special Needs and Ageing and Media.

TISS is the first school in India to focus on the field of social work, offering a wide range of Master's programmes.

Fast Facts
Institute: International Institute of Population Studies
Duration: Between 1 to 3 years
Fees: DPS: Rs 21,600, MA/ M.Sc: Rs 15,700, MPS: Rs 26,600
Eligibility: DPS: Graduation; MA/MSc: Bachelor's (Maths/Stats/Eco or any social science subjects preferred); MPS: Master's in Maths, Economics or Statistics with 55 percent marks
Website: www.iipsindia.org

The International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS) offers Master's in Population Studies, Masters of Arts/Science in Population Studies, Diploma in Population Studies and PhD.

The Diploma programme can be completed in one to three years and has an intake capacity of 60. Graduates with experiences in population, health and allied areas are given preference.

The selection is carried out by a committee appointed by the Institute. Also on offer is a two-year Master's of Arts/Science in Population Studies that has an intake of 25. Students with any Bachelor's degree can apply for the course. The selection is based on entrance test, interview and merit.

Students having a Master's degree in Maths/Stats/Eco or any social science subject with 55 percent marks are eligible to apply for it. The institute also offers a Master's degree through correspondence course.

Fast Facts
Institute: National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Duration: 1-2 years
Fee: Between Rs 150 and Rs 300
Eligibility: Depending on course
Website: http://www.niepmd.tn.nic.in/

These courses familiarise you with the special needs of people with disabilities. National Institute for empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) aims to serve as a national resource centre for empowerment of persons with multiple disabilities.

It has been established under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The courses include BEd, Diploma in Education-Special Education (Deaf blind), Diploma in Education-Special Education (Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders) and Certificate course in prosthetic and Orthotic (CPO).

Students can see themselves placed in public administration, policy making, public-funded organisations and NGOs. Since the institute has departments like Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy Unit and Occupational Therapy Unit, students are able to practice also.