At a time when the demand for people with a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences is growing in the country, National College, Center for Development Studies, has come up with a new program in Social Sciences: Bachelor of Social Science.

Affiliated to Kathmandu University School of Arts, National College, Center for Development Studies, has already produced high quality students in the areas of development studies since 1999 and Bachelor’s in Development Finance since 2006. "This new program will provide opportunities for   professional career in development practices in socio-economic sectors like I/NGOs, government offices and private institutions.

This program is focused on the dynamics of social change relating primarily with sociology, politics, anthropology, economics, psychology and philosophies. This program will give a new perspective addressing various issues of social sciences, especially on Sociology, Politics, Anthropology, Economics, Psychology and Environment.  Complementing the contributions in various fields of social sciences, it will have a holistic approach to address the dynamics and complexity of social challenges," said principal Madhav Neupane.

Content and Structure

Along with basic, language and research skills pertaining to social sciences, it will contain core subjects of sociology, anthropology, culture, political science and psychology. The course structure also contains subjects correlated with the core from various fields of development, economics, environment etc.  It contains internship as well as project work, along with electives of three subjects for specialization.  The unique feature of this course is to have the option of taking foreign language as a part of the program.  The 125 credit hour course will be completed in eight-semester (four-year) cycle.

Future Perspectives

Upon the successful completion of the program, BoSS graduates would develop a deeper understanding of the social change process from social, psychological, cultural and political perspective. Along with this BoSS graduates would be equipped with the research skills, both qualitative and quantitative, as well as field techniques including GPS and GIS for the application in social sciences.  They would also be prepared to mobilize communities using various motivational strategies for development projects at the grass root levels. They would also be skilled enough to carry out policy analysis for the conceptualization and project formulation.  Moreover, they would be qualified with competencies, having strong foundations in various aspects of social sciences for advanced studies in the fields, such as Sociology, Anthropology, Culture, Psychology and Gender.

Internship and Voluntary Works

Students will have opportunities to participate in an internship work in the 7th semester for a minimum of 60 working days under the mentorship of a senior professional at corporate organizations, different financial institutions and development organizations.  The internship works count for three credit hours. During internships works, students will have not only gained tremendous hands-on experience in the reputed organizations, but have also been able to contribute to their jobs.

"It is the program of Kathmandu University. This program is conceptualized and developed by National College, Center for Development Studies. It will be run in National College, Center for Development Studies, from this academic year," said Madhav Neupane, Principal National College.

At an event participated in by academicians, and professionals from the related field and representatives from the concerned institutions, university faculties and dignitaries, the curriculum was finalized with inputs of the workshop organized on May 18, 2013.

"Basic approaches and methods adopted in the teaching and learning processes will include: Lecture methods with adequate use of audio-visual aids such as LCDs, OHPs, models and specimens. Classroom discussions, some of them moderated by students themselves, will be part of the teaching," said Ujjwal Upadhyay, program coordinator.

In order to ensure that the students receive the best learning experience, the college provides services of qualified, experienced and dedicated faculty members, who come from both academia and various governmental and non-governmental, national and international organizations. Constant seminars, dialogues and interactions with key resource persons from respective areas help students develop deeper understanding of development issues and prepare them to face future challenges in development.

Each semester, students will be taken for field studies to various parts of the country in which they will explore pertinent issues related to the courses being covered in that semester. At the end of field trips, students will be required to present their findings to a wider audience consisting of faculty members, their classmates as well as guests.