Master of Arts in Social Work (Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship)

Description

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Introduction

Livelihoods have enabled societies to form and disintegrate. Communities have struggled for centuries to establish stability through livelihood security with limited resources. Livelihood frameworks of the most marginalized sections of society somehow do not reach the policy support paradigms. Somehow social and economic exclusion is a striking reality in the context of social entrepreneurship where poverty-stricken individuals, groups and communities are constantly pulled into debt traps. Any effort towards social entrepreneurship to ensure livelihood security is very little. Extensive research, analysis and field interventions will be integral to this process. M.A. Social Work with specialization in Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship (LSE) will be instrumental in shaping the future of livelihoods and social entrepreneurship.

Livelihoods have enabled societies to form and disintegrate. Communities have struggled for centuries to establish stability through livelihood security with limited resources. Livelihood frameworks of the most marginalized sections of society somehow do not reach the policy support paradigms. Somehow social and economic exclusion is a striking reality in the context of social entrepreneurship where poverty-stricken individuals, groups and communities are constantly pulled into debt traps. Any effort towards social entrepreneurship to ensure livelihood security is very little. Extensive research, analysis and field interventions will be integral to this process. M.A. Social Work with specialization in Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship (LSE) will be instrumental in shaping the future of livelihoods and social entrepreneurship.

Objectives

1. To equip students with a nuanced understanding of livelihoods, poverty, and the socio-political-economic systems that affect vulnerable communities.
2. To develop skills in managing community-based and individual social enterprises through participatory, rights-based, and sustainability frameworks.
3. To enhance analytical competencies in livelihood policy, program design, and social entrepreneurship across diverse ecosystems.
4. To foster innovation, leadership, and ethical commitment among students for initiating and managing sustainable livelihood interventions.
5. To nurture professionals who can serve in grassroots NGOs, cooperatives, CSR units, multilateral agencies, or establish their own enterprises that prioritize social impact.

Key Outcomes of the TISS LSE Program

Graduate Attributes (Aligned with NEP 2020 and UGC LOCF-UG framework):

• Ethical and Social Responsibility: Graduates are grounded in the principles of human dignity, social justice, and sustainability. They understand intersectionality, rights-based frameworks, and the ethical dimensions of social intervention.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students learn to analyze complex social problems such as poverty, exclusion, and precarity using interdisciplinary methods—ranging from DFID’s Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to participatory rural appraisal.
• Entrepreneurial Thinking: The program cultivates entrepreneurial leadership that is values-driven, innovative, and impact-oriented. Students are trained to create scalable, inclusive livelihood solutions.
• Research and Inquiry: Rigorous research training prepares students to design and conduct qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies related to livelihoods and social enterprise.
• Community Engagement and Advocacy: Through fieldwork and practicum, students acquire experiential knowledge, fostering empathy and responsiveness to diverse community needs. They engage in advocacy, policy analysis, and grassroots mobilization.
• Global and Regional Awareness: Students are exposed to global development debates and local innovations, especially those from the Global South and the Northeast. They learn to contextualize frameworks and adapt them to varied cultural and ecological settings.
• Collaborative and Communication Skills: Group projects, participatory tools, and simulation exercises enhance interpersonal and leadership capacities. Graduates can lead, communicate, and co-create with diverse stakeholders—ranging from villagers to government actors.

Expected Student Outcomes

1.  Knowledge:

• Comprehensive understanding of livelihoods, poverty, and marginalization.
• Interdisciplinary grasp of social entrepreneurship, policy frameworks, and community-based development.

2.  Skills:

• Design, implement, and evaluate social enterprises and livelihood initiatives.
• Apply policy analysis tools (logframes, stakeholder mapping) and participatory planning approaches (PRA, micro-planning).
• Use qualitative and quantitative research for impact evaluation and innovation.

3.  Attitudes:

• Commitment to inclusive development and ethical leadership.
• Empathy and respect for diverse cultural, ecological, and economic realities.
• Proactive and resilient mindset for social change through enterprise and activism.

4.  Career Readiness:

• Placement opportunities in NGOs, cooperatives, government bodies, CSR, and international development agencies.

• Entrepreneurship support to launch self-initiated ventures or join social business incubators.

Distribution of Credit Hours:

Additional Components:
- Value-Added Course (30–90 hrs): 30 hrs (15 hrs in Semester I + 15 hrs in Semester II)
- Workshops: 32 hrs (8 hrs in each semester)

Semesterwise Courses:

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Semester IV

Note: The curriculum structure is tentative and subject to change. Semester-wise listing of courses and course codes are provisional and may undergo some changes.

Note:The curriculum structure is tentative and subject to change.

Fee Structure:

*Institute reserves the rights to revise the Fees Structure of programme if necessary.

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