Course Structure Overview
The Bachelor of Technology in Social Work at The Dhamma Dipa International Buddhist University South Tripura is structured over 8 semesters, with a combination of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and lab-based experiential learning opportunities. Each semester spans approximately four months, allowing for comprehensive coverage of theoretical concepts alongside practical application.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SWS101 | Introduction to Social Work | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | SWS102 | Human Development Across Lifespan | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | SWS103 | Sociology of Society | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | SWS104 | Psychology of Behavior | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | SWS105 | Ethics in Practice | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 1 | SWS106 | Research Methods I | 2-0-0-2 | None |
| 2 | SWS201 | Social Welfare Policies | 3-0-0-3 | SWS101, SWS103 |
| 2 | SWS202 | Community Organization | 3-0-0-3 | SWS101, SWS103 |
| 2 | SWS203 | Social Justice Issues | 3-0-0-3 | SWS101, SWS103 |
| 2 | SWS204 | Research Methods II | 2-0-0-2 | SWS106 |
| 2 | SWS205 | Introduction to Social Policy | 3-0-0-3 | SWS201 |
| 3 | SWS301 | Mental Health Counseling | 3-0-0-3 | SWS104, SWS203 |
| 3 | SWS302 | Child Welfare Systems | 3-0-0-3 | SWS101, SWS201 |
| 3 | SWS303 | Elder Care Programs | 3-0-0-3 | SWS102, SWS202 |
| 3 | SWS304 | Substance Abuse Treatment | 3-0-0-3 | SWS104, SWS203 |
| 3 | SWS305 | Field Placement I | 0-0-6-3 | SWS201, SWS202 |
| 4 | SWS401 | Disaster Response and Recovery | 3-0-0-3 | SWS201, SWS305 |
| 4 | SWS402 | Climate Adaptation Strategies | 3-0-0-3 | SWS301, SWS304 |
| 4 | SWS403 | Gender Studies and Feminist Practice | 3-0-0-3 | SWS203, SWS302 |
| 4 | SWS404 | Indigenous Community Support | 3-0-0-3 | SWS201, SWS303 |
| 4 | SWS405 | Field Placement II | 0-0-6-3 | SWS305 |
| 5 | SWS501 | Advanced Trauma Recovery Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | SWS301, SWS401 |
| 5 | SWS502 | Community Development Projects | 3-0-0-3 | SWS202, SWS402 |
| 5 | SWS503 | Human Rights Advocacy | 3-0-0-3 | SWS203, SWS501 |
| 5 | SWS504 | Policy Evaluation and Reform | 3-0-0-3 | SWS201, SWS503 |
| 5 | SWS505 | Research Project Planning | 2-0-0-2 | SWS204, SWS504 |
| 6 | SWS601 | Thesis Proposal and Literature Review | 2-0-0-2 | SWS505 |
| 6 | SWS602 | Field Research Methods | 2-0-0-2 | SWS505 |
| 6 | SWS603 | Capstone Project Development | 0-0-6-3 | SWS601, SWS602 |
| 7 | SWS701 | Final Thesis Presentation | 0-0-0-6 | SWS603 |
| 7 | SWS702 | Internship Report Writing | 2-0-0-2 | SWS603 |
| 8 | SWS801 | Graduation Seminar | 2-0-0-2 | SWS701, SWS702 |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
Several advanced departmental electives are offered to deepen students' expertise in specific areas of social work:
- Advanced Trauma Recovery Techniques: This course focuses on evidence-based interventions for individuals suffering from PTSD, complex trauma, and adverse childhood experiences. Students learn various therapeutic modalities including EMDR, CBT, DBT, and narrative therapy.
- Community Development Projects: Designed to equip students with skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating community-driven development initiatives. Topics include participatory action research, capacity building, and sustainable resource management.
- Human Rights Advocacy: A comprehensive exploration of international human rights frameworks and their application in social work practice. Students engage in case studies involving civil liberties, gender equality, and minority rights.
- Policy Evaluation and Reform: This course teaches students how to assess the effectiveness of existing social policies and propose reforms based on empirical data and stakeholder feedback.
- Thesis Proposal and Literature Review: A foundational course that guides students through the process of formulating a research question, conducting a literature review, and developing a proposal for their final thesis project.
- Field Research Methods: Focuses on qualitative and quantitative methods used in field-based social work research. Students learn to design surveys, conduct interviews, analyze data, and write research reports.
- Capstone Project Development: An intensive hands-on experience where students apply their accumulated knowledge to address a real-world social issue through project development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Disaster Response and Recovery: Covers the principles of emergency response planning, evacuation strategies, psychological support for survivors, and long-term recovery efforts following natural disasters or conflicts.
- Climate Adaptation Strategies: Explores how climate change affects vulnerable populations and examines adaptive measures that can be implemented at community and policy levels to reduce risks and build resilience.
- Gender Studies and Feminist Practice: Introduces students to feminist theories and their relevance in social work practice. Emphasis is placed on addressing gender-based violence, reproductive rights, workplace equity, and intersectionality.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The program places a strong emphasis on experiential learning through project-based methodologies. The curriculum integrates mini-projects and capstone experiences to ensure students gain practical insights and develop critical professional competencies.
Mini-projects are assigned during the third and fourth semesters, allowing students to work in small groups under faculty supervision on specific social issues relevant to their community or chosen specialization track. These projects typically last 4–6 weeks and culminate in presentations to faculty and peers.
The final-year thesis or capstone project is a substantial individual endeavor that requires students to identify a social problem, propose an intervention strategy, implement it over several months, and evaluate its outcomes using rigorous research methods. This process includes mentorship from faculty members with expertise in the chosen area of focus.
Students are encouraged to select projects that align with their career aspirations or reflect current societal needs. The selection process involves submitting a proposal to the departmental committee, which evaluates the relevance, feasibility, and potential impact of each idea before approving it for execution.