Introduction
The Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Development Studies (BSDS), employing curriculum which includes a thesis/research project. Graduates are eligible to pursue higher education of MS/ MPhil and PhD. The BSDS degree blends knowledge from several social sciences disciplines including Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Comparative Religions, in order to understand development disparities within Pakistan and around the world while offering solutions.
BS Development Studies
VISION
- To enable students to critically evaluate socio-economic issues of developing and developed nations. It would seek solutions that are both a confirmation of, and an extension of, contemporary economic, political, social and development theories. It would enable students to study economic and policy issues, ensuring that the solutions and policy recommendations are considerate of the social, demographic, cultural and religious sensibilities of the people they address.
- To be a recognized center of excellence in preparing graduates to develop and apply feasible and creative solutions to current and future problems in development and economics related issues, both on a national and international level.
MISSION
- To study development challenges with a multi-disciplinary focus, reflecting the experiences of our valued faculty, in the context of the unique culture, demography, institutional policies and gee-political dynamics of the regions under study.
- To teach our students to think independently by a rigorous focus on reading, reflecting and improvising to give students confidence to tackle the most contemporary challenges in development.
- To provide context-sensitive ways of looking at development issues in a globalized world including critical reflections on conventional strategies and continuous pursuit for new ones.
- To teach how to evaluate the impact of decisions taken by key stakeholders, at the helm of economic & government agencies, with an understanding of their trickle-down effect(s) on the common man.
- Training students to apply contemporary quantitative and qualitative research methods, while offering encouragement and guidance in the proper documentation of results. Grooming scholars to offer innovative solutions and policy recommendations to evolving challenges related to Economics.
- Facilitating the learning, of our scholars, by providing access to relevant literature and scholarly journals, at a fully functional, on-campus library and through online resources.
- Encouraging scholars to ask probing questions, challenging engrained ideas, on important issues, within the Social Sciences disciplines, including Economics.
OBJECTIVES
- Impart a curriculum that blends knowledge from several Humanities and Liberal Arts subjects; with the explicit purpose of enhancing understanding of factors engendering under-development in South Asia.
- Focus on analyzing social, cultural, ethnic, economic, and demographic issues within a historical and social context through quality education and research opportunities.
- Provide supervision and guidance from our faculty trained in the state-of-the-art disciplines, having effective education delivery experience.
- Chart the course for educational enhancement and continuous measurement of Department goals and objectives.
- Deliver and exchange ideas on contemporary and historical development problems facing Pakistan and our region, with a keen focus on enabling students to formulate their own solutions.
- Liaise regularly with Development Sector agencies including: NGO’s, UN bodies, Government Departments; for the purpose of enabling internship, work and research collaborations.
- Promote continuous and regular liaison with the society at large.
Course Outline
Semester I
- English I
- Mathematics I
- Pakistan Studies
- History of Economic Thought
- Introduction to Sociology
- Introduction to Development Studies
Semester II
- English II
- Islamic Studies
- Introduction to Basic Computing
- Geography of Pakistan
- Demography of Development
- Civil Society & Development
Semester III
- English III
- Population Studies & Development
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Social Problems of Pakistan
- Human Development
Semester IV
- Communication Skills
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Security & Development
- Introduction to Statistics
- Gender & Development
- Social Policy & Planning
Semester V
- Development Economics
- Urban Development
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Project Planning & Management
- Development Planning in Pakistan
Semester VI
- Public Finance
- Rural Development
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Society in Literature
- Sustainable Development
- Social Psychology
Semester VII
- International Political Economy
- Elective 1
- Elective 2
- Thesis / Research Project I
- Anthropology & Development
Semester VIII
- Science, Technology & Development
- Constitution, Laws & Development
- Elective 3
- Elective 4
- Thesis / Research Project II
*Note: This course outline is subject to revision by the department.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum 45% marks in HSC (any subject) OR O/A level–(Foreign High School /equivalent)
- Equivalence as determined by the Inter board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) is required for all non-Pakistan Boards of Education (www.ibcc.edu.pk)
- Qualify Aptitude Test & Interview
- Candidates residing outside of Pakistan may submit SAT/ACT results in substitution of Aptitude Test
Career Prospects
Graduates will find a ready market waiting for their meaningful contributions as consultants, policy analysts and advisors, program coordinators, field researchers, writers and academicians. Graduates will be well prepared for positions in Civil Society & Development Sector Organizations, Urban & Rural Planning Agencies, Government Departments, Research & Academic Institutions, National and International Aid & Developments Agencies such as WHO and UNICEF.
WHY CHOOSE THIS PROGRAM?
- Be part of an evolving multi-disciplinary field to find solutions in a globalized world
- Play a role in critical reflections on conventional development strategies
- Pursue new remedies for development issues pertinent to our survival
- Sohail University offers a variety of programs with varied faculties, so all students benefit from sharing and collaboration on the same campus
- Enjoy a vibrant student life in the heart of Karachi
INSTITUTE OF HISTORICAL & SOCIAL RESEARCH ( IHSR )
The IHSR is a research organization with a vibrant progressive, pro-people vision.
Research conducted covers different disciplines independently as well as in a multidisciplinary manner. It deviates from traditional modes of historiography and views history from below, encompassing the common people, their sociopolitical contribution, ethos and values, and creative pursuits, as the major determinants of historical evolution.
The Institute preserves sources of peoples’ history, retrieves relevant historical documents and conducts original research,dealing with the ways of life, thinking and movements reflecting the concerns of people at a given point of time in the past. The Institute disseminates its historical research in the form of books, monographs, seminars and conferences. Preservation and publication of the political literature of Pakistan is of special interest.
In the domain of social research, the Institute focuses on contemporary socio-political issues of the country, with the common people as the central point of reference.
Programming Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Graduates of the BS Development Studies program will:
- Be empowered to apply knowledge gained from several Liberal Arts and Humanities courses by enriching their critical mass on contemporary socio-economic issues.
- Respect and celebrate the cultural richness & diversity of Pakistan.
- Interact and communicate with indigenous and vulnerable populations, ensuring objectivity in reporting their findings.
- Make effective contributions in the field of development studies and become leaders and pioneers in several development agencies.
- Select and apply relevant tools for collecting, interpreting and assessing (qualitative and quantitative) information on development processes and their impacts.
- Process and analyze data from a variety of relevant sources.
- Communicate results of analysis to a variety of audiences ranging from professionals (research-oriented as well as policy-oriented) to non-professionals (stake holders, other users)
