The Ultimate Guide to Pursuing a Master of Arts
What is the MA course?
The full form of MA is the Master of Arts. It is a 2-year long postgraduate program. After completing this program, the students can work as Content Writers, High School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Primary School teachers, HR managers, Copy editors, Editors, Executive Assistants, School Counselors, Data analysts, Assistant editors etc. This programme is offered in various different subjects. The students can choose their preferred subject for the MA program.
MA program is offered in various modes like full-time mode, part-time mode, correspondence or distance mode. The average tuition fee for pursuing an MA programme is INR 4000 to INR 80,000 per annum. After completing the course, the students can expect a salary of INR 3 LPA to INR 4 LPA. After completion of this program, the students can work in private or public organisations. Some students also go for higher studies like M.Phil or PhD programs.
What is the duration of the MA programme?
The duration of the MA programme is 2 years which are then divided into 4 semesters. During these 4 semesters, the students study different topics related to that subject. In the final semester, the students submit their thesis.
Specialisations available in MA:
MA programme is offered in various different subjects. Some of the top MA programmes are provided below for the students.
| MA Language (English, French, German, Hindi, Spanish, Chinese/ Mandarin, Greek, Japanese and Latin) | MA Political Science |
| MA Economics | MA History |
| MA Psychology | MA Communication Studies |
| MA Philosophy | MA Archaeology |
| MA Sociology | MA Religious Studies |
| MA Geography | MA Library & Information Science |
| MA Literature | MA Teaching Education |
| MA Linguistics | MA International Relations |
Skills required for the MA programme:
The students should have the following qualities if they want to pursue an MA program.
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Good communication skills |
Problem-solving skills |
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Management skills |
Analytical thinking |
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Goal-oriented |
Ability to work under pressure |
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Intellectually curious |
Inquisitive |
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Organisational skills |
Interpersonal skills |
Eligibilty & Entry Requirements
What is the eligibility required for the MA programme?
Eligibility criteria are an essential part of the admission process. If the student doesn't fulfil all the requirements of the program, he/she will not get admission into the course. So all the students who are planning to take admission into the MA program should check the eligibility criteria of the course before participating in the admission process. The general MA eligibility is given below for students' reference.
- The student should have a Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university in any subject with 55% marks in aggregate.
- The students who are appearing in the qualifying exam can also apply.
- The upper age limit is 25 years.
- Some colleges conduct entrance examinations for admission into the MA programme. So the students should make sure that they qualify for the entrance exam of that college.
- After qualifying for the entrance exam, some colleges give direct admissions to students while some conduct group discussions or personal interview rounds for admission.
Course Syllabus
What are the subjects students study during the MA programme?
As the MA programme is offered in various different subjects, the syllabus of each programme is different. The syllabus of some of top MA programmes is given below for the students use.
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MA English |
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Introduction to Linguistics |
Poetry III (Hopkins to Ted Hughes) |
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Poetry I (Chaucer to Blake) |
Drama III (Twentieth Century Drama) |
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Drama I (Marlowe to Wilde excluding Shakespeare) |
Literary Criticism & Theory 1 |
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Prose |
Indian Literature in English I/American Literature-II |
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Linguistics and English Language Teaching |
Fiction II |
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Poetry II (Wordsworth to Arnold) |
Literary Criticism & Theory II |
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Drama II (Shakespeare) |
Indian Literature in English II/American Literature II |
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Fiction I (Defoe to Hardy) |
Indian Literature in Translation/New Literatures in English/Women Writing |
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MA French |
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|---|---|
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History of French Literature from its Origin up to XIXth Century |
Introduction to Linguistics |
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French Novel & French Poetry (20th Century) |
Use of French |
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Introduction to Literary Analysis of Fiction and Poetry |
Linguistic Approach to Translation |
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History of France |
French Drama (20th Century) |
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Origin of Literature in French (Study of Text) |
Evolution of French Poetry and Novel as genre |
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Comparative Literature |
Study of Literary Schools or Movements |
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Didactic of French as a foreign language |
Canadian Literature |
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History of Art in France |
Introduction to Translation Studies |
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MA dissertation |
Viva-voce |
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Introduction to Francophone Literature |
Interpretive theory of translation |
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MA German |
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|---|---|
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An introduction to the Study of Literature – I |
The development of Drama from Lessing to Hebel – I |
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Introduction to Modern German Linguistics – I |
Poetry of classical periods |
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India in German Literature - II/German Literary Trends (Realism & Naturalism) |
The development of Drama from Hebel to Brecht -II |
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An introduction to the study of literature – II |
Training of oral interpretation skill |
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Introduction to modern German linguistics - II |
Major Elective Course |
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MA Chinese / Mandarin |
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|---|---|
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Advanced Chinese |
Intensive Readings in Chinese Literature I |
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Advanced Chinese II |
Modern Literary Trends and Criticism |
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Readings in Literary Chinese I |
Readings in Sino-Indian Interaction |
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Advanced Readings in Political and Economic Documents in Chinese I |
Twentieth-Century China |
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Advanced Chinese III |
Women in Chinese Literature |
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Advanced Chinese IV |
Seminar in Modern Chinese Language, Literature and Culture |
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Readings in Literary Chinese II |
Interpretation and Methods of Teaching |
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Advanced Readings in Business and Scientific Documents in Chinese II |
Modern Chinese Literature in Translation |
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Literature of People’s Republic of China |
Intensive Readings in Chinese Literature II |
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Political and Cultural History Pre-modern China |
Intensive Readings in Chinese Literature III |
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Readings in Comparative Literature |
Advanced Study in Chinese Grammar |
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MA Economics |
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Microeconomic Analysis |
Economics of Growth |
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Monetary Economics |
Public Economics |
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Elementary Statistics |
Issues in the Indian Economy |
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International Trade |
Economics of Industry |
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Optional Paper-I |
Optional Paper-II |
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Theory of Pricing and Distribution |
Growth Models in Economics |
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Macroeconomic Analysis |
Indian Public Finance |
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Quantitative Methods |
Selected Problems of the Indian Economy |
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International Finance |
Economics of Agriculture |
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MA Econometrics |
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|---|---|
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Basic Mathematical Methods |
Human Resource Development |
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Microeconomics - I |
Money and Finance |
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Statistics for Econometrics |
Macro Economics - II |
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Women and Economy |
Advanced Econometrics |
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Information Technology |
Growth Economics |
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Soft Skill |
Contemporary Indian Economic Issues |
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Mathematical Economics |
Financial Econometrics |
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Microeconomics - II |
Public Economics |
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Basic Econometric Methods |
Applied Econometrics |
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Macroeconomics - I |
Panel Data: Theory and Application |
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MA Political Science |
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|---|---|
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Modern Indian Political Thought |
Comparative Political Analysis |
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International Relations-Theory and Practice |
Western Political Thought |
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Indian Politics-Major Issues and Debates |
Seminar on Field Project |
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Contemporary Political Theory |
Dissertation-I |
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Soft Skills |
Teaching and Research Aptitude-I |
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Politics of Developing Countries |
Departmental Elective 2 |
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Contemporary Political Issues |
Departmental Elective 3 |
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Major Ideas and Issues in Public Administration |
State Politics in India |
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Research Methods in Political Science |
Dissertation-II |
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Departmental Elective 3 |
Teaching and Research Aptitude-II |
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MA Public Administration |
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Concepts and Ideas of Public Administration |
Comparative Local Government: Nature and Significance |
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Administrative Theories and Thinkers: Classical Era |
Comparative Administration |
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Public Personnel Administration: Theory and Practice |
Public Policy |
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Evolution and Framework of Indian Administration |
Financial Administration in India: Concepts and Structure |
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Citizen and Administration: Concepts and Issues |
Fundamentals of Computers/International Public Administration – I |
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Principles and Practices of Public Administration |
Comparative Local Government: Process and Issues |
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Administrative Theories and Thinkers: Modern Era |
Development Administration |
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Public Personnel Administration: Concepts and Issues |
Theory and Practice of Management |
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Indian Administration: State and District Administration |
Financial Administration in India: Processes |
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MA International Relations |
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Contemporary Political Theory |
Theory and Practice of Diplomacy |
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Modern Political Thought |
Energy Politics in International Relations |
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Theory of International Relations – I |
Indian Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Era |
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Thinkers in International Relations |
Research Dissertation – I |
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Indian Political System |
International Political Economy |
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Gender in Global Politics |
National and Global Security in Contemporary World |
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Theory of International Relations-II |
Research Methodology |
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Geopolitics in International Relations |
Research Dissertation – II |
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Comparative Political Analysis |
Electives |
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MA Politics |
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Political Theory |
Elective - I |
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Indian Government and Politics |
Elective - II |
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Public Administration |
Elective - III |
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International Relations |
Elective - IV |
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Political Theory II |
Elective - V |
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Comparative Politics, Indian Constitution |
Interdisciplinary/Cross-Disciplinary Course |
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MA Public Policy |
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Law, Governance and Institution |
Political Philosophy for Public Policy |
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Statistical and Data Analysis |
Policy Action Workshop |
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Qualitative Research Methodology |
Social and Cultural Theory |
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Introduction to Public Policy Process |
Public Finance and Administration |
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Academic Writing Workshop |
Program Design and Evaluation |
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Economics for Public Policy I |
Pre Dissertation Workshop |
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Economics for Public Policy - II (Macro) |
Electives |
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MA History |
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Principles of History |
Contemporary World (Part-II : 1945-2003) |
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Contemporary World |
Indian National Movement (1905-1947) |
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Ecology & Environment in History |
Environmental Crisis and World Religions |
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Major currents in Historical Thought |
Research Methodology and Historical Investigation |
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Indian Nationalism (Socio-religious and other protest movements) up to1905. |
Optional Papers |
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MA Sociology |
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Social Anthropology |
Theories of Group Interaction |
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Methodology of Social Sciences |
Theories of Group Interaction |
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Group Processes and Dynamics |
Sociological Reviews and Viva-Voce |
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Classical Social Thinkers |
Modern Sociological Theories |
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Sociology of Environment |
Advanced Sociological Theories |
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Tribal Economy and Society |
Sociology of India |
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Social Statistics |
Continuity and Change In India |
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MA Philosophy |
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Classical Indian Philosophy - I |
Indian Heritage and Axiology |
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Greek and Medieval Philosophy |
Epistemology |
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Social and Political Philosophy – I |
Contemporary Indian Philosophy - I |
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Indian Culture and Ethics |
Contemporary Western Philosophy - I |
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Logic and Scientific Method |
Moral Philosophy |
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Classical Indian Philosophy – II |
Contemporary Indian Philosophy - II |
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Modern European Philosophy |
Contemporary Western Philosophy - II |
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Social and Political Philosophy - II |
Applied Ethics |
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MA in English and Comparative Literature |
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Poetry I |
Comparative Literature |
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Drama I |
Literary Theory I |
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Literary Criticism I |
New Literatures in English |
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Fiction I |
English Language Teaching |
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English for Specific Purposes |
Philosophy and Literature |
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Indian Literature in English |
Indian Novel in English Translation |
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Literary Criticism |
Writers of the Diaspora |
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Poetry of the Nineteenth Century |
Literary Theory II |
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Creative Writing (Interdisciplinary) |
American Literature II |
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Twentieth-Century Literature in English |
Linguistics |
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Poetry of the Nineteenth Century Science and Literature (Interdisciplinary) |
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MA in Comparative Literature and Translation Studies |
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Translation: Principles and Theories |
Fundamentals of Translation |
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Linguistics and Translation |
Translation: Comparative Approach and Evaluation |
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Comparative Literature: History, Principles & Methods |
Genres of Translation |
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Comparative Literature: Kannada and Tamil |
Comparative Literature: Western Classics |
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Comparative Literature: Kannada and Telugu |
Media and Translation |
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Translation: Techniques and Methods |
Translation in Kannada: Historical Survey |
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Technical Translation: Science and Humanities |
Kannada as Language of Administration |
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Comparative Literature: Indian Literature |
Comparative Poetics |
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Comparative Literature: Kannada and Hindi |
Comparative Literature: African and Caribbean |
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Comparative Literature: Kannada and Telugu |
Comparative Literature: Latin American Literature |
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MA Anthropology |
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Introduction to Social Anthropology |
Theories of Social Structure |
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Physical Anthropology |
Applied Anthropology and Tribal Welfare |
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Archaeological Anthropology |
Indian Society |
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Quantitative Research Methods |
Anthropology of Complex Societies |
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Qualitative Research Methods |
Theories of Culture |
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MA Social Work |
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History and Philosophy of Social Work |
Statistics and Computer Application |
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Psychosocial Dynamics of Human Behavior |
Dynamics of Socio-Political Institutions and Organisations |
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Methods of Working with People: Micro-Approaches |
Social Policy and Planning |
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Social Welfare Administration |
Demography and Population Studies |
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Research Methodology |
Communication and Social work Practice |
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Man & Society |
Labour Problems and Labour Welfare |
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Approaches and fields of Social Work |
Dynamics of Social Development |
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Human Growth and Development |
Social Ecology and Management of Environment |
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Methods of working with People: Macro Approaches |
Counselling and Social Work Practice |
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Management of NGO’s and Disaster Relief Services |
Labour Legislation and Social work Practice |
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MA in Social Work in Community Organization and Development Practice |
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|---|---|
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Foundation Course |
Rural Development and Governance |
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Philosophy of Research |
Sustainable Development and Livelihood |
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History and Perspective of Social Work |
Field Work |
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Social Case Work |
Social Policy and Planning |
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Social Group Work |
Socio-Legal Dimensions in Development Practice |
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Research Methods I |
Urbanisation, Governance and Informal Work |
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Theoretical Perspectives for Community Practice |
Social Action, Advocacy and Movements |
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Elective Foundation |
Business Plan Development for Social Sector |
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Community Organization |
Program Planning and Management |
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Critical Perspectives on Social work: Introduction to Social Theories |
Disasters and Development |
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Research Methods II |
Disciplinary Elective |
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MA Linguistics |
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|---|---|
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Phl. Underpinnings of Modern Linguistics |
Field Linguistics |
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Phonetics and Phonology I |
Language Universals and Language Typology |
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Morphology |
Semantics |
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Syntax I |
Computational Linguistics |
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Syntax II |
Elective Courses I, II |
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Phonology II |
Historical Linguistics |
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Cognitive Linguistics |
Sociolinguistics |
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MA Archaeology |
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|---|---|
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Foundations of Social Anthropology |
Social Ecology |
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Archaeological Anthropology |
Anthropology of Peasant Societies |
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Ethnology and Comparative Ethnography |
Anthropology of Urban and Complex Societies |
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Practical – Archaeological Anthropology |
Theories of Culture and Social Structure |
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Indians Overseas |
Human Biology |
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Qualitative Methods and Research |
Economic Anthropology |
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Physical Anthropology |
Political Anthropology |
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Methodology of Anthropological Research |
Minorities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes |
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Applied Anthropology |
Anthropology of Folklore |
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Practical – Physical Anthropology |
Project, Field work, Dissertation and Viva-Voce |
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MA Rural Development |
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Rural Development- Indian Context |
Communication and Extension in Rural Development |
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Rural Development Programmes |
Rural Social Development |
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Rural Development- Planning and Management |
Voluntary Action in Rural Development |
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Research Methods in Rural Development |
Land Reforms and Rural Development |
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Rural Health Care |
Entrepreneurship and Rural Development |
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MA Rural Studies |
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|---|---|
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Principles and Practices of Rural Development |
Resource Economics |
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Economic Analysis for Rural Management - I |
Operations Research Techniques |
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Management Accounting and finance |
Environment & Energy management |
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Quantitative Analysis for Rural Management |
Project Management-I: Planning and Implementation of Rural Development Programmes |
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Agribusiness, Agripreneurship and Skill Development |
Rural Product Marketing |
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Rural Livelihood Systems |
Geographical Information systems for Rural Development |
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Research Methodology for Rural Studies |
Rural Development Interventions |
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Computer Applications for Rural Management |
Rural Development Programmes and policies |
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Economic Analysis for Rural Management - II |
Business Budgeting |
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Social Policy, Planning and Development |
Science and Technology for Rural Development |
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Trade Liberalisation and Global Business Logistics |
Co-operative Thoughts and Collective Action |
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Risk Management & Rural Insurance |
Finance Management |
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Introduction to Bionomics |
Social Corporate Responsibilities |
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Project Management – II: Monitoring and Evaluation of Rural Development Programmes |
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