Migration & Development Course | IIT Hyderabad | Prof. Amrita Datta
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 83 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 25 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unraveling the Complex Ties Between Movement and Progress
In our increasingly interconnected world, migration is a powerful force shaping societies, economies, and individual lives. Understanding the intricate relationship between human mobility and development is crucial for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners alike. A new, comprehensive online course titled Migration, Mobility and Development, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), provides a deep dive into this critical field. Led by the renowned scholar Prof. Amrita Datta, this 12-week program is designed to equip participants with the theoretical frameworks and empirical knowledge needed to analyze one of the most defining phenomena of our time.
About the Course Instructor: Prof. Amrita Datta
Prof. Amrita Datta, an Assistant Professor of Development Studies at IIT Hyderabad's Department of Liberal Arts, brings a wealth of expertise to this course. Her research spans migration and mobilities, agrarian change, labour, and gender. She is the author of the acclaimed book Migration and Development in India: The Bihar Experience (Routledge), based on longitudinal studies. With a PhD from Erasmus University Rotterdam and an M.Phil from the University of Cambridge, Prof. Datta's multidisciplinary approach ensures the course is grounded in rigorous academic scholarship and real-world relevance.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is meticulously designed for a diverse audience:
- Students: Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students in Humanities, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, Sociology, and Public Policy.
- Researchers & Academics: Individuals looking to deepen their understanding of migration theories and empirics.
- Practitioners: Professionals working in development organisations, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sector, policy think tanks, and NGOs focused on labour, urbanisation, and gender issues.
Course Structure: A 12-Week Journey
The course is structured to build knowledge from foundational theories to contemporary empirical and policy challenges, with a strong focus on the Indian context.
Weekly Breakdown
| Week | Focus Area | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | Theoretical Foundations | Disciplinary approaches, Ravenstein & Lee, Neoclassical theories, New Economics of Labour Migration (NELM), Systems & Network Theory, Migration Infrastructure, Structure & Agency, Aspirations. |
| Week 5 | Transnationalism | Conceptualizing transnational spaces, guest lecture on Malayali women domestic workers in the Gulf. |
| Week 6 | Gender and Migration | Gendered drivers and impacts of migration, guest lecture on gender and labour migration. |
| Week 7 | Concepts & Policy I | Migration and human rights, migrant housing, climate-induced migration. |
| Week 8 | Circular Migration & Livelihoods | Theory and empirics of circular migration, its link to livelihoods and rural transformation. |
| Week 9 | Empirical Insights | Deep-dive case studies from Kerala, Odisha, and Prof. Datta's own work on Bihar. |
| Week 10 | Internal Migration in India | Political economy, evolving trends, and a critical look at circular migration policies. |
| Weeks 11-12 | Advanced Concepts & Policy | Emotions in migration, social costs, construction labour, migration policy indices (IMPEX), international student & skilled migration, refugees. |
Key Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Critically evaluate major theories and concepts in migration studies from multiple disciplines.
- Analyze the complex, two-way relationship between migration and development.
- Understand the social, economic, and cultural drivers and consequences of migration for individuals, families, and communities.
- Examine key contemporary issues such as gender dynamics, climate change, circular migration, and migrant rights.
- Appreciate the Indian context of internal and international migration through detailed case studies.
- Assess the scope and limitations of migration policies in a globalized world.
Why This Course Stands Out
This course offers a unique blend of theoretical depth and empirical richness. It moves beyond Western-centric models to center the Global South and Indian experiences. The inclusion of guest lectures from over 15 leading experts like S. Irudaya Rajan, Deepak K. Mishra, Chandni Singh, and Neetha N. ensures exposure to cutting-edge research from across the field. The curriculum directly engages with Prof. Datta’s seminal work on Bihar, providing an authentic lens into longitudinal village studies and the lived experiences of migration.
Industry Relevance and Support
The course is highly relevant for professionals in:
- Development Organizations: To design effective interventions for migrant communities.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): To inform community development projects in migration-source regions.
- Policy Think Tanks & Government: To develop evidence-based migration and urban policy.
- Research Institutions: To strengthen analytical frameworks for migration research.
Migration, Mobility and Development is more than just an academic course; it is a toolkit for understanding a fundamental aspect of modern life. Whether you are a student beginning your journey in social sciences, a researcher refining your focus, or a practitioner seeking evidence-based insights, this course from IIT Hyderabad provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn from one of India’s foremost scholars in the field. Enroll to navigate the compelling narratives of movement, agency, and change that define our world.
Enroll Now →