Department of Development Studies

Back Research Training Reach Extension services Research Projects Faculty

Department of Development Studies (DDS) is a research dept in the faculty of social sciences in Kannada University. With the intention of making the University more relevant to the local civil society (civil society of Hyderabad Karnataka) the DDS was established on the 1st March 1996. It is (University and the DDS) located near the well-known historical heritage-Hampi. DDS lays emphasis on multidisciplinary perspectives both in defining the thrust areas and also in opting methodologies of inquiry. These researches have policy implications at immediate operative level as well as for long term development strategy formulations. The main objective of DDS is to take up interdisciplinary research on economy, policy suggestions, which are in tune with the historically formed socio-economic and cultural life of the people. DDS also takes active interest in equipping the marginalised people with necessary skills and knowledge to enable them to make use of the existing development facilities to their benefit. The specific objectives of DDS are –

To take up interdisciplinary research on development issues
To conduct training programs to people, people’s representatives and officials conncected with the development policy makeing and execution
To disseminate knowledge on development issues through different media
To work as development consultants

Research

Our objective is to conduct research which advances understanding of the complex economic, social and political processes of change in the poorer parts of the state and also to educate people, people’s representatives and development practitioners at the grassroots to understand these processes in a multidisciplinary perspective. Thrust areas of research are –

Participatory rural development
Gender issues and development
Housing, drinking water and education
Civil society and panchayat raj
Rural development management

Training

The DDS has developed a unique training module. This module differs from the conventional training modulus of both the academic and the bureaucratic varieties. Motivation and skill formation are the essential ingredients of the conventional training programs. They are necessary; but not sufficient. DDS has developed a critical social participation module with the intention of the replacing the superficial and cosmetic kind of participation. Our training module aims at enabling the trainees to understand the social context in which they live and also to enable them to make use of the local resources to solve the problems. On going and proposed training targets are -

People’s representatives of local bodies
Development administrators at the grasssroots
Development beneficiaries

Reach

DDS has taken the responsibility of disseminating its research output with the following two objectives. One, educating the society on the life of the marginalised. Two, bringing together all those who work in the field of development. All the stakeholders of development are educated and brought together with the ultimate objective of forming alternative development plicies that are more in favour of the lower strata of the society. DDS uses and intends to use the following media to reach the research output to the people.

Brings out a bi-annual journal called Abhivridhi Adhyayana (Development Studies)

Conducts regular Ph.D., programs and intends to take up short duration courses on alternative development subjects

Intends to launch a web site to disseminate the research output to the larger society

Organises development conferences – conference of all the development stakeholders

Extension services

With the intention of intervening directly in the are of policy making and practice of development, the members of the dept are working in various committees and bodies. The specific representations are

Members of state level expert committee formed to strengthen panchayats

Advisers to District Planning Committees

Advisers to NGOs working on rural development

Research Projects

1.      Some Aspects of Nirmala Karnataka Yojana A Study of Bellary District

2.      Freedom Movement in Bellary District

3.      Status Report on the Socio-Economic Conditions of New Districts of Karnataka

4.      Identification of Key and Viable Economic Activities for SGSY in Koppal District

5.      Evaluation of the Usage of Defloride Filters in Six Villages of Bellary District

6.      Grassroots Planning – Planning for the Gramapanchayat in Krishnanagara GP, Bellary District.

7.      Grassroots Planning – Planning for the Gramapanchayat in Yerahanchinala GP, Koppal District.

8.      Joint Forest Management – A Study of Village Forest Committees of North Karnataka

9.      Social Capital, Panchayats and Decentralized Rural Development – A Comparative Study of Coastal and Interior Karnataka

10. Electoral Dynamics of Karnataka – A Study of Election Manifestos.

11. Primary Education – A Comparative Study of GPs of North and South Karnataka.

12. Socio – Economic Status of Women – A Comparative Study of Dalit and Non-Dalit Women

13. Peoples Plan – Karnatakas Experiences

14. A Study of Socio – Economic Dynamics of Hyderabad Karnataka Region in Karnataka

Publication

1.      Bellary Zilleya Swatantrya Horata, 1998

2.      Parisara mattu Abhivridhi, 1998

3.      Zilla Abhivridhi Adhyayana – Koppal, 1999

4.      Karnataka Abivridhi Mahiti Kosha, 1999

5.      Bellary Zilleyalli Kaigarikarana mattu Janandolana, 2000

6.      Vikendrikarana – Tatva mattu Acharane, 1999

7.      Swadeshi ondu Vishleshane, 1999

8.      Amartya Senara Abhivridhi Kathana, 1999

9.      Kendra Budget 2000-2001, 2000

10. Deshiyateya Neralally Vikendrikarana, 2000

11. Karnatakadally Panchayat Raj Kayidegalu, 2000

12. Janasamudaya Kosha, 2000

13. Mahile – Arthikate mattu Abhivridhi, 2001

14. Samudaya mattu Sahabhagitva, 2002

15. Vikendrikarana mattu Gramapanchayat, 2002

16. Viddara Parikalpane, 2003

17. Janti Aranya Yojane – Uttar Karnatakada Grama Aranya Samitigala Adhyayana

18. Peoples Plan – Karnatakada Anubhavagalu