Detailed Syllabus for Scheduled Castes Development Officer Gr.II

Kerala Public Service Commission
Total Marks: 100

Module I: Foundations of Sociology (3 Marks)

Sociology:

Meaning, nature and scope
Sociology as a Social Science
Sociological Imagination

Basic Sociological Concepts:

Society
Community
Association
Social Institution
Social Structure
Social System
Status and Role
Norms and Values
Culture and Subculture

Socialisation:

Meaning and process
Agencies of Socialisation – Family, Peer Group, Educational Institutions, Media and Community

Social Control:

Meaning
Formal and Informal Social Control

Social Groups:

Primary and Secondary Groups
In-group and Out-group
Reference Group

Social Processes:

Cooperation
Competition
Conflict
Accommodation
Assimilation

Module II: Sociological Thinkers and Perspectives (3 Marks)

Auguste Comte:

Positivism
Law of Three Stages
Social Statics and Social Dynamics

Karl Marx:

Historical Materialism
Mode of Production
Class and Class Conflict
Alienation

Émile Durkheim:

Social Facts
Division of Labour
Mechanical and Organic Solidarity
Anomie

Max Weber:

Social Action
Ideal Type
Types of Authority
Bureaucracy

Major Sociological Perspectives:

Functionalist Perspective
Conflict Perspective
Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Feminist Perspective

Module III: Social Stratification and Caste (4 Marks)

Social Stratification:

Meaning and characteristics
Bases and forms of social stratification – Caste, Class, Gender, Race and Ethnicity

Caste System:

Varna and Jati
Hierarchy
Endogamy
Hereditary Occupation
Purity and Pollution
Untouchability

Sociological Perspectives on Caste:

G. S. Ghurye – Characteristics of Caste
M. N. Srinivas – Sanskritisation and Dominant Caste
Louis Dumont – Hierarchy and Purity-Pollution
André Béteille – Caste, Class and Power
B. R. Ambedkar – Graded Inequality and Annihilation of Caste

Social Mobility:

Meaning
Horizontal and Vertical Mobility
Inter-generational and Intra-generational Mobility
Structural Mobility

Module IV: Indian Social Structure and Social Change (3 Marks)

Indian Social Structure:

Unity and Diversity
Religion
Language
Region
Ethnicity and Tribe

Family, Marriage and Kinship:

Joint and Nuclear Families
Forms of Marriage
Kinship Relations
Patriarchy
Changing Family Patterns

Processes of Social Change:

Westernisation
Modernisation
Secularisation
Industrialisation
Urbanisation
Globalisation

Social Movements in India:

Peasant Movements
Labour Movements
Women’s Movements
Tribal Movements
Environmental Movements
New Social Movements

Module V: Scheduled Castes: Deprivation, Exclusion and Empowerment (4 Marks)

Scheduled Castes:

Concept
Historical Background
Untouchability and Historical Disabilities
Changing Social Position of Scheduled Castes

Dimensions of Deprivation:

Poverty
Landlessness
Housing Deprivation
Educational Disadvantage
Occupational Marginalisation
Unemployment
Health Inequalities

Social Exclusion and Discrimination:

Social Segregation
Economic Exclusion
Educational Exclusion
Occupational Exclusion
Discrimination
Stigma and Social Marginalisation

Scheduled Castes and Education:

Access
Enrolment
Retention
Dropout
First-generation Learners
Transition to Higher Education
Educational Mobility

Scheduled Castes and Livelihood:

Employment
Skill Development
Self-employment
Entrepreneurship
Informal Labour
Livelihood Diversification

Vulnerable Sections within Scheduled Castes:

Women
Children
Persons with Disabilities
Older Persons
Landless and Economically Vulnerable Households

Empowerment of Scheduled Castes:

Social Empowerment
Educational Empowerment
Economic Empowerment
Political Participation
Community Participation and Collective Action

Module VI: Social Development, Policy and Welfare Administration (4 Marks)

Social Development:

Meaning and Objectives
Inclusive Development
Sustainable Development
Participatory Development

Human Development:

Human Development Concept
Human Development Index
Social Indicators
Quality of Life
Capability Approach of Amartya Sen

Poverty and Development:

Absolute Poverty
Relative Poverty
Multidimensional Poverty
Social and Economic Indicators of Deprivation

Social Policy:

Meaning, Objectives and Scope
Social Justice
Social Welfare
Social Security
Affirmative Action

Welfare Administration:

Meaning and Principles
Participatory and Accountable Governance:
- Social Audit
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Grievance Redressal
- Community Participation

Decentralised Development:

Panchayati Raj Institutions
Gram Sabha
Local Self-Government Institutions
Participatory Planning
Role of Local Governments in Social Development

Module VII: Rural, Urban and Community Studies (2 Marks)

Rural Society:

Characteristics of Rural Society
Agrarian Social Structure
Land Relations
Rural Leadership
Rural Poverty and Rural Transformation

Urban Society:

Urbanisation
Rural–Urban Migration
Slums
Informal Sector
Urban Poverty
Housing and Basic Services

Community Organisation:

Meaning and Objectives
Community Mobilisation
Community Participation
Leadership and Collective Action

Participatory Methods:

Participatory Rural Appraisal
Social Mapping
Resource Mapping
Transect Walk

Module VIII: Constitutional and Legal Provisions for Scheduled Castes (5 Marks)

Constitutional Principles:

Preamble
Constitutional Basis of Social Justice and Equality

Fundamental Rights and Scheduled Castes
Directive Principles and Special Constitutional Safeguards

National Commission for Scheduled Castes:

Composition
Functions
Duties
Powers
Investigation of Safeguards and Complaints
Reporting and Advisory Functions

Reservation and Affirmative Action:

Constitutional Basis
Reservation in Education, Public Employment and Political Representation
Objectives and Principles of Affirmative Action

Institutional and Administrative Mechanisms:

National and State-level Mechanisms for Protection of Scheduled Castes
District-level Vigilance and Monitoring
Role of District Administration
Role of Police
Special Courts
Role of Welfare and Development Departments in Protection, Rehabilitation and Development

Module IX: Social Research Methods and Statistics (2 Marks)

Social Research:

Meaning and Scientific Method

Types of Research:

Exploratory
Descriptive
Explanatory
Evaluation Research
Action Research

Research Approaches:

Quantitative
Qualitative
Mixed Methods

Research Process:

Research Problem
Objectives
Research Design
Data Collection
Analysis
Interpretation and Reporting

Sampling:

Probability and Non-probability Sampling

Methods and Tools of Data Collection:

Questionnaire
Schedule
Interview
Observation
Case Study

Basic Statistics:

Classification and Tabulation
Measures of Central Tendency – Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Dispersion
Correlation

Programme Evaluation:

Baseline and Endline
Indicators
Process Evaluation
Outcome Evaluation
Impact Evaluation

Module X: Kerala Society and Social Reform (3 Marks)

Kerala Society:

Major Characteristics
Traditional Social Organisation
Caste Relations and Social Transformation in Kerala

Social and Developmental Change in Kerala:

Expansion of Education
Changes in Health and Social Development
Land Reforms
Migration
Social Mobility
Kerala Model of Development

Kerala Renaissance and Social Reformers:

Sree Narayana Guru – Social Equality and Reform
Ayyankali – Anti-caste Struggles, Education and Rights of Oppressed Communities
Chattampi Swamikal – Social and Religious Reform
Sahodaran Ayyappan – Anti-caste and Rationalist Reform
Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi – Social and Educational Reform

Major Social Reform and Anti-caste Movements in Kerala:

Struggles against Untouchability and Caste Disabilities
Temple-entry Movements
Struggles for Access to Public Roads and Public Spaces
Struggles for Educational Access
Anti-caste Mobilisation
Movements for Civil and Social Rights

Module XI: Social Work in General (3 Marks)

1. Concept, Nature and Scope of Social Work

Meaning, nature, purpose, goals and objectives of Social Work
Social service, social welfare, social security, social reform, social development and social action
Transition from charity and voluntary service to professional Social Work
Social Work as a profession and its scientific and humanistic foundations
Basic and auxiliary methods of Social Work

2. Historical Development of Social Work

Development of Social Work in the United Kingdom, United States of America and India
Elizabethan Poor Law
Charity Organisation Society
Settlement House Movement
Development of social welfare and social reform movements in India
Contribution of major social reformers and voluntary organisations
Emergence and development of professional Social Work education in India

3. Social Work as a Profession

Characteristics of a profession
Professional identity, values, principles and ethics
Professional competencies
Person-in-environment perspective
Objectivity, self-awareness, emotional maturity, interpersonal competence, cultural sensitivity, conscious use of self and professional responsibility
Role of professional associations and professional accountability

Module XII: Social Case Work (6 Marks)

1. Concept and Foundations of Social Case Work

Meaning, definitions, nature, objectives, scope and components of Social Case Work
Social Case Work as a primary method of Social Work
Relationship with other Social Work methods
Distinction between Social Case Work, counselling and psychotherapy
Historical development and philosophical foundations of Social Case Work
Family Social Work, family functioning and common family problems
Family life cycle and Duvall’s model

2. Principles, Professional Relationship and Ethics

Principles of acceptance, individualisation, purposeful expression of feelings, controlled emotional involvement, non-judgemental attitude, self-determination and confidentiality
Professional relationship, rapport, empathy and trust
Professional boundaries
Transference and countertransference
Professional ethics
Supervision
Personal and professional self

3. Social Case Work Helping Process

Exploration, engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination and follow-up
Collection and analysis of information
Multidimensional assessment of intrapersonal, interpersonal, family, social and environmental factors
Identification of needs, strengths, risks, problems and resources
Goal setting and case planning
Intervention and goal attainment
Relapse prevention, termination and follow-up

4. Skills and Techniques

Communication, observation, listening, interviewing, networking and family intervention skills
Empathy, congruence, paraphrasing, clarification, questioning, interpretation, reframing, suggestion, identification, insight development and motivational interviewing
Counselling and supportive techniques
Resource utilisation and environmental modification

5. Assessment, Case Management and Recording

Case assessment tools and techniques
Genogram and ecomap
Assessment of needs, strengths, risks, resources and support systems
Case management
Resource mobilisation, service coordination, referral, monitoring and follow-up
Case records including narrative, process, summary and other professional records
Confidentiality and responsible documentation

6. Models and Fields of Practice

Psychosocial, functional, problem-solving, general systems, crisis intervention, task-centred, solution-focused and family systems approaches
Application of Social Case Work in child care, schools, hospitals, disability services, correctional settings, industry, elderly care, palliative care and community-based services

Module XIII: Social Group Work (6 Marks)

1. Concept and Foundations of Social Group Work

Meaning and definitions of social groups and Social Group Work
Characteristics and types of groups
Treatment, task and developmental groups
Historical development, nature, objectives and scope of Social Group Work

2. Principles, Values and Group Process

Values and principles of Social Group Work
H. B. Trecker’s principles
Associative and dissociative processes
Bonding, acceptance, isolation, rejection and conflict
Group interaction and communication
Attraction, cohesion, integration and influence
Group culture and norms
Subgroups and group relationships

3. Leadership and Group Development

Concept, theories and types of leadership
Participatory leadership
Role of the group worker in facilitation and decision-making
Sociometry and sociograms
Stages of group development including forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning
Factors influencing group development and functioning

4. Group Work Process and Programme

Intake, study, assessment, goal setting, intervention, evaluation, termination and follow-up
Programme planning, implementation and evaluation
Selection and use of programme media
Lecture, forum, brainstorming, guided discussion, case study, role play and demonstration
Facilitation of participation and group decision-making

5. Recording and Supervision

Importance and principles of Social Group Work recording
Narrative, analytical, process and summary records
Documentation of group processes and interventions
Supervision in Social Group Work
Developmental, task-oriented, integrative, reflective, collaborative and didactic approaches to supervision

6. Models, Scope and Application

Social goals, remedial and reciprocal models of Social Group Work
Educational, health, community, correctional and developmental applications
Life skills development through groups
Role, functions and professional competencies of the Social Group Worker

Module XIV: Community Organisation and Social Action (5 Marks)

1. Concepts and Foundations

Meaning, nature, objectives and scope of Community Organisation, Community Development and Social Action
Concepts and types of community
Relationship and distinction between Community Organisation and Community Development
Brint’s concept of community
Hart’s Community Triangle
Historical development of Community Organisation and Social Action as Social Work methods

2. Philosophy, Values and Principles

Social justice, equality, participation, self-help, self-reliance, empowerment, inclusion and collective responsibility
Community building, leadership, participation, resilience and power structures
Gandhian approaches
Participatory, rights-based and empowerment approaches to community practice

3. Community Organisation Process

Community entry, rapport building, community study and assessment
Identification of needs, problems, resources and priorities
Planning, organising, mobilisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
Community participation and leadership development
Phase-out, termination and follow-up

4. Social Action and Community Intervention

Identification and analysis of social issues
Awareness generation, mobilisation, advocacy and collective action
Negotiation, conflict management and coalition building
Campaigns and strategies for social change
Rights-based and empowerment-oriented Social Action
Role of the Social Worker as facilitator, advocate, mediator, educator and change agent

5. Skills, Approaches and Models

Participatory Rural Appraisal and participatory assessment
Community mobilisation
Capacity building
Leadership development
Communication and facilitation
Networking, partnership and coalition building
Resource mobilisation and volunteer management
Rothman’s locality development, social planning and social action models
Participatory, asset-based, rights-based and sustainable approaches
Application in rural, urban, coastal, tribal and marginalised communities

Module XV: Rural and Tribal Community Development (4 Marks)

1. Concept and Foundations of Community Development

Meaning, nature, objectives, principles and philosophy of Community Development
Community participation, self-help, self-reliance, empowerment, inclusion and sustainability
Relationship between Community Organisation and Community Development
Role of Social Work in community development

2. Rural Community Development

Rural community, social structure, institutions, leadership and power relations
Rural poverty, unemployment, landlessness, indebtedness, migration and livelihood concerns
Rural development strategies
Livelihood promotion, self-help groups, cooperatives and social security
Decentralisation and the role of Local Self-Governments
Participatory planning, needs assessment, resource mapping and community participation

3. Tribal Community Development

Tribal communities and their social, cultural and economic characteristics
Tribal livelihood systems and dependence on land and forest resources
Poverty, displacement, migration, educational and health concerns, livelihood insecurity and access to services
Social exclusion and developmental challenges
Culturally sensitive, participatory and rights-based approaches to tribal development
Self-governance, livelihood promotion and community empowerment
Role of Social Work in tribal community development

4. Participatory and Sustainable Community Development

Participatory approaches and PRA techniques
Community needs and resource assessment
Asset-based community development
Capacity building and leadership development
Community resource mobilisation
Convergence and inter-sectoral collaboration
Planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community development programmes
Sustainable and inclusive development
Role of the Social Worker as facilitator, enabler, educator, advocate, mediator and change agent

Module XVI: Social Welfare Administration (4 Marks)

1. Social Work Administration and Administrative Process

Administration
Types of administration
Social administration and Social Work administration
Social Work administration as a method of Social Work
Tasks, functions and responsibilities of a Social Work administrator
Principles of Social Work administration
Administrative process comprising planning, organising, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation

2. Organisation and Management of Human Service Organisations

Organisation and types of organisations
Characteristics of formal and informal organisations
Role and benefits of informal organisations
Bureaucratic and human relations approaches
Human Service Organisations (HSOs) – nature, characteristics and functioning
Personnel functions in Human Service Organisations
Recruitment, selection, induction, training and staff development
Performance appraisal
Promotion, transfer and staff welfare
Compensation and service conditions
Personnel grievance handling and disciplinary procedures
Resource mobilisation
Budgeting, accounting and auditing
Financial accountability and transparency
Office management
Maintenance of files and records
Databases and Management Information Systems (MIS)
Basic materials management, purchase procedures and inventory control

3. Registration and Governance of Community-Based and Voluntary Organisations

Need and advantages of registering organisations
Basic legal frameworks governing voluntary and community-based organisations including Society, Trust and Company forms
Registration under the Societies Registration framework
Memorandum of Association, Constitution and Bye-laws
Organisational structure and governance
Board, membership, committees and sub-committees
Qualifications and functions of office bearers and members
Principles of effective committee work
Conduct of statutory meetings
Preparation and maintenance of minutes, records and reports
Statutory compliance and organisational accountability

4. Social Welfare and Social Protection Administration

Concept, objectives and functions of social welfare administration
Organisational structures and delivery mechanisms of welfare programmes
Administration of social welfare, development and social protection programmes
Social safety nets, social security and protection of vulnerable groups
Inclusive growth and social protection strategies
Welfare, housing and livelihood programmes
Identification of beneficiaries and service delivery
Interdepartmental convergence and coordination
Collaboration with Local Self-Governments, community-based organisations, voluntary organisations and civil society institutions
Monitoring, reporting, transparency, accountability and grievance redressal
Role of the Social Work administrator in effective implementation of welfare and development programmes

Module XVII: Social Legislation, Social Policy and Advocacy (3 Marks)

1. Constitution, Law and Human Rights

Meaning and significance of law, rule of law and social legislation
Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles of State Policy
Social legislation as an instrument of social change and social justice
Human rights, equality and protection against discrimination
Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2. Social Legislation and Legal Protection

Major social legislation relating to women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, Scheduled Castes and other vulnerable groups
Legal and institutional mechanisms for protection
Human Rights Commissions, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, legal aid, Public Interest Litigation, Lok Adalat and Legal Services Authorities
Role of the Social Worker in legal awareness, protection, referral and access to justice

3. Social Policy, Advocacy and Empowerment

Meaning, nature and scope of social policy
Formulation, implementation and evaluation of social policies
Advocacy, lobbying, representation and policy intervention
Networking and coalition building
Rights-based practice
Empowerment and participation
Role of Social Workers in advocacy, policy implementation and promoting access to welfare entitlements

Module XVIII: Scheduled Caste Development and Social Work Practice (3 Marks)

1. Scheduled Caste Development and Welfare Administration

Role and functions of the Scheduled Castes Development Department
Institutional mechanisms for Scheduled Caste development
Major national and Kerala initiatives for Scheduled Castes
Educational support, scholarships, hostels and residential institutions
Higher education support
Skill development, employment, entrepreneurship and livelihood promotion
Housing and social security measures

2. Social Work Practice in Scheduled Caste Development

Identification of beneficiaries and assessment of individual, family and community needs
Individual, family, group and community interventions
Counselling and referral
Awareness generation and rights-based intervention
Community mobilisation and participation
Livelihood and rehabilitation interventions
Convergence with government departments, Local Self-Governments and other agencies
Monitoring, follow-up and participatory evaluation

3. Role and Functions of the Scheduled Castes Development Officer

Professional communication and coordination
Identification of needs and service gaps
Facilitation of access to schemes and entitlements
Case management and referral
Community-level intervention
Grievance redressal and advocacy
Programme implementation, monitoring and reporting
Promoting participation, empowerment, social inclusion and social justice among Scheduled Caste communities

Module XIX: Indian Social System (8 Marks)

Caste and Hierarchical system, Social Structure, Caste and Social Stratification
Concept of Caste, Class, Tribe, Gender
Poverty, Inequality and social exclusion, Concept of Social Disabilities
Social Mobility and Change
Contributions of André Béteille, Louis Dumont, S. C. Dube, M. N. Srinivas

Module XX: Scheduled Castes in Kerala (8 Marks)

Scheduled Castes, Social and institutional discrimination, Social Stigma, Social Exclusion
Social Vulnerability and Marginalisation, Untouchability and Structural Inequality
Constitutional provisions and safeguards for Scheduled Castes, Directives relating to Scheduled Caste Welfare, Social Reform Movements
Government Schemes, Institutions, and Grievance Mechanisms relevant to SC development
The Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Castes Sub Plan

Module XXI: Social Justice, Inclusivity and Fundamentals of Empowerment (8 Marks)

Caste based social movements
Caste dynamics, Reservation, Protective Discrimination and Affirmative action mechanisms
Social Justice and Human Rights, Rights of Women
Social inclusion as a development objective and disability considerations
Gender sensitivity, Rights-based approaches and ethical governance
Community engagement, partnerships with NGOs and Civil Society, Community Participation and Social Empowerment

Module XXII: Bias and Exclusion in Development (9 Marks)

Equity, Equality and Social Justice, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Robert Chambers
Participatory Development, Decentralisation, Panchayati Raj
Bias and Exclusion. Putting the last first in Policy framework
Common biases in development work – Urban and institutional bias, Elite bias, Gender bias, Professional and disciplinary bias, Project-area bias, Seasonal bias
Development Approaches – Capability approach, Basic Needs Approach
Indicators of Human Development, Development Gaps
Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Development Index (GDI), Inclusive Development

Note: It may be noted that apart from the topic detailed above, questions from other topics prescribed for the educational qualification of the post may also appear in the question paper. There is no undertaking that all the topics above may be covered in the question paper.