Master of Arts in Social Work (Centre for Counselling)
The master programme in social work with specialization in counselling is unique for its
emphasis on forming psychosocial alliances in addressing social issues. Systemic
considerations such as gender, class, caste, sexuality, culture are foregrounded in the
programme. Intersectionality is afforded a special place to understand marginality in context
of social justice. The students pursuing the course are encouraged to self reflect and discover
their career pathways as both an experiential and academic venture.
It is envisaged that students of this course might make choices that include working with
individuals, families, groups and communities in difficult settings across national and
international NGOs, government agencies, becoming independent practitioners, or engage in
research based work.
The geo- political setting of the TISS Guwahati would make the program relevant to students
of Social Work in India and the North East but would not be limited to them. The TISS
Guwahati is designed to become a hub of social science education and research in South and
South- East Asia. Students from the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region countries of Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal and Pakistan would also find the course and field work
settings most relevant.

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Centre for Sociology and Social Anthropology

Sociology and Social Anthropology as two distinct disciplines had their origin in Europe.
Sociology emerged as the study of predominantly industrial society and Social Anthropology
as the study of non-industrial societies. The distinction was implanted in India too. Today,
there is a need to interrogate the separation of the two disciplines, especially in light of the
self-reflective turn that both have taken over the past two decades, both in India and in other
parts of the world.
In keeping with these realities, the programme is designed to integrate the discipline of
Sociology and Social Anthropology to have a comparative and systematic understanding of
society and its institutions. Such a programme is most suited considering the regional location
of TISS, Guwahati Campus, where an entire region is on the cusp of a profound social,
economic and cultural transformation.

Key Features of the Program

The program has three principal components spread over four semesters: - (a) coursework in
the perspective building, theoretical groundings, social economic and political issues, (b)
fieldwork, and (c) dissertation. In the final year, students will write a supervised dissertation
on a topic of their choice; this is a great opportunity to study an area of interest for the
students, and also to exercise the skills they have developed for future employers, or to
further academic endeavours. The program aims to provide students with employability skills
including research methods and design, interviewing, statistical analysis, essay writing and
ethnographic methods.

Centre for Ecology, Environment and Sustainable Development

If species like lichen can be called nature’s best example of symbiosis, the Centre for
Ecology, Environment and Sustainable Development is no different in the field of academia
and research. Pollinated both by the disciplines of natural sciences and social sciences, it is an
ocean of hybrid knowledge which cut across dialectics ideated from the lens of
anthropocentrism, biocentrism and eco-centrism while exploring the path of sustainability in
an ethical way. Students who are enrolled in the post-graduate program at this centre get the
exposure to both theories and empirical studies. The syllabus of the two- year program is
divided into core and applied aspects keeping in mind the parity among the papers taught.
Besides, field based intervention is prioritized for hands on training experience for the
students. The present program has completed a decadal journey since the time of its inception
in the year 2012.