Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Master's Programme: Development and Labour Studies
The Centre for Informal Sector and Labour Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is one of the newly created Centres to study the informal sector which includes non-agricultural workers, agricultural labourers, peasants, fishermen, craftsmen, street vendors, domestic workers, etc.
Since the overwhelming bulk of the working people is located in the informal sector which is also termed the “Unorganized Sector”, the focus of teaching and research in the Centre is on labour processes and working conditions in the unorganised sector in the contemporary world, particularly the developing countries.
Below you can find the basic information about this Master's programme.
Overview
About the programme:
The Master’s Programme in Development and Labour Studies is a full time two-year interdisciplinary course of 64 credits. The main objectives of the programme are to prepare students to get interdisciplinary training to do doctoral research on contemporary issues about labour and the informal sector. It provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the contemporary themes and issues on informality and labour drawing from the disciplines of history, economics, sociology and political science.
Interactive teaching methods focus on basic theoretical and empirical training to undertake an in-depth analysis of the structural changes and public policy challenges that confront labour in the informal sector in the contemporary world. The programme also trains students in development and labour studies so that they can develop leadership skills to work as professionals in these sectors.
The Master’s programme in Development and Labour Studies consists of 16 courses which are taught over four semesters. These 8 compulsory courses are spread over the first two semesters. These compulsory courses cover broad thematic areas which provide students with an overview of the subject and basic theoretical knowledge of the structural factors that impact labour processes and the growing formalisation. Eight Optional Courses will be offered in the third and fourth semesters.
Out of the eight Optional Courses, students will have to do seven Lecture Courses (up to a maximum of three can be chosen from outside the Centre) and one Seminar Course in the third and fourth semesters. The optional courses will focus on specific themes and problems to allow students to undertake an in-depth analysis of recent debates and contemporary areas of research in labour processes and the unorganised sector. Seminar Courses will focus on introducing students to original research on various themes of informal sector and labour.
The cooperation within the Global Labour University provides opportunities for students to exchange with the partner universities and for close cooperation with national and international labour organisations to undertake research and field studies. Access to joint online courses and international guest lectures is a key element of cross-campus collaboration.
Students with prior practical work experience with trade unions and other membership-based social movements are particularly encouraged to apply.
Teaching objectives:
This MA programme focuses on contemporary themes related to the informal sector and labour. Its main objectives are – (I) providing an interdisciplinary perspective on the contemporary themes and issues on informality and labour drawing from the disciplines of history, economics, sociology and political science, and (II) providing basic theoretical and empirical training to undertake an in-depth analysis of the structural changes and public policy challenges that confront the labour in the informal sector in the contemporary world.
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Programme Structure
The basic structure of the Master’s Programme will follow the norms laid down by the University. It will be a two-year full-time Programme spread over four semesters. A student will have to complete 64 credits in order to qualify for a Master’s degree.
The 64 credits of the Master’s Programme will be allocated in the following manner:
- Eight Core Courses of 4 Credits Each (in total, 32 credits)
- Eight Optional Courses of 4 Credits Each (in total, 32 credits)
Eight Core Courses will be offered in the first two semesters of the programme. Optional Courses will be offered in the third and the fourth semesters. Students can take a total of two (or three, with due permission of the faculty) optional courses in the Third and Fourth semesters (maximum of two in one semester) outside the Centre.
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To learn more, please visit the official website provided by the JNU.
Admission
Requirements:
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Details of admission procedure 2022-23 are accessible here
Required Documents:
- 01 Application Form: You can download the form below. Please make sure that you use the correct form.
- 01 Curriculum Vitae (CV): Please provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) that makes special reference to your practical experience in trade union work and other civil society activities on social and economic issues, current employment situation and future engagement with the labour movement. You may write any information you would like to be considered in the application process.
- 01 Statement of Objectives: Please write here any information which you would like to be considered in support of your application. For example, what do you hope to achieve by taking the Master’s Programme, and what effect might it have on your job aspirations and trade union activities, what work experience and skills have you acquired which are related to your programme of study?
- Research Topic(s): Please provide a short type-written statement (2 pages) about a specific research topic you are interested in and the main questions about this topic that you would like to explore in more detail during the course.
- Trade Union Experience – 01 Letters of Recommendation: Please provide a statement from a trade union or other membership-based organisation certifying your trade union or other civil society engagement. The letter should include a statement of whether the organisation supports your application.
Please send the required documents (a single PDF file) to Archana Prasad.
Downloads for non-Indian (foreign) students
Downloads for Indian students
Scholarships
Tuition fees for international students of non-SAARC countries are USD 4000 per semester. For those from SAARC countries, it is USD 2000 per semester.
A limited number of scholarships will be awarded to students.
Foreign students can apply for a scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
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Contact us
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To know more about study experiences, you can contact our alumni: