Free Social Science Courses & Certifications

Society can only ensure economic development by improving the quality of life for the underprivileged. To do that, intervention in various sectors, including education, health, transport, agriculture, microfinance, etc., is required. The Impact Evaluation Methods with Applications in Low and Middle-Income Countries programme by edX will equip you with the statistical and experimental tools necessary to measure the impact of such interventions. 

The Impact Evaluation Methods with Applications course will teach you how to design and conduct a Randomised Control Trial, how to use regression techniques, and other quasi-experimental methods to collect and evaluate data. That way, you will be able to determine which policies and innovations work, and which do not. 

International development practitioners and policy-makers, when equipped with this information, can accelerate the development process and improve the quality of life for those who are deprived. The Impact Evaluation Methods with Applications Programme is brought to you by Georgetown University and uses the Standard Policy Evaluation Toolkit, as recognised in the 2019 Nobel Prize in Economics. 

The self-paced programme provides two tracks for students to pursue it; the paid certificate track and the free audit track. In the free audit mode, the candidates will be given access only for a limited duration. 

The Sociology XI Part-I Online Course is a massive open online course that is based on the subject of sociology as taught in Class XI. The course will be taught on the interactive online platform of Swayam and will focus on the features of social institutions, the process of socialization, and the relevance of culture. The course deals with the study of social institutions and encourages learners to question stereotypes in society.

The Sociology XI Part-I Training is led by Dr. Sheetal Sharma from the School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi. The course will be supported by video lectures, online materials, and web resources that help learners to form an in-depth understanding of the subject. There will be self-assessment questions to help learners measure their progress. After completing all course steps and the assignments, students will get a Sociology XI Part-I Certification by NIOS and Swayam.

The Geography XII Part-II Online Course is a massive open online course that is taught based on the Class XII Geography textbook. This online certificate course provided on the Swayam learning platform explores the core topics of Geography including human resources, water and mineral resources, the agricultural system of India, and the geographical perspective on different issues.

The Geography XII Part-II Training will be headed by Dr. Tannu Malik of DESS, NCERT, New Delhi. The mode of delivery will include video lectures, reading materials, and web resources to elaborate on the topics. After a student completes all the online lessons and takes part in the assessment, they will be rewarded with a Geography XII Part-II Certification by NIOS and Swayam.

Also Read: Sr.Secondary: Geography (316)

The Geography XII Part-I Training is a massive open online course that educates learners about the topics of Geography in Class XII. The course will explore different environmental and social dimensions, principles of human geography, and the interaction of people and the environment. This online certificate course will be coordinated by By Dr. Tannu Malik of DESS, NCERT, New Delhi, and provided on the Swayam online learning platform.

The Geography XII Part-I Online Course is divided into different modules that are taught through video lectures, audio material, e-tutorials, and plenty of web resources. Those who are enrolled in the course will need to take part in self-assessments that include multiple-choice questions and other tests. Once all course evaluation is completed successfully, the learners will get the Geography XII Part-I Certification by NIOS and Swayam.

Also Read: Sr.Secondary: Geography (316)

The Sr.Secondary: History (315) Training is a massive open online course that introduces learners to the nature and different phases of Indian culture and human civilizations. The course provided on the senior secondary level is coordinated by Prof Dr. Azmat Noori of the National Institute of Open Schooling. The course includes 5 core modules and 1 optional module wherein the students can choose from the topics evolution of state or culture in India.

The Sr.Secondary: History (315) Certification Course has a duration of 24 weeks and is delivered through the interactive and engaging platform of Swayam. After completing the course and concluding all course steps, learners will get a Sr.Secondary: History (315) Certification by NIOS and Swayam. The course in history will help learners understand the social, economic, religious, and cultural development of India through different historical phases.

The Ancient Greek Hero course is being provided by edX in collaboration with Harvard University. It has been designed to provide the learners' exposure to Greek literature and culture. Participants can explore the literature and heroes of ancient Greece with the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey, the dialogues of Plato, the tragedies of Sophocles and many more.

Participants will gain knowledge about some of the beautiful works of ancient Greek literature and song-making spread for more than thousand years from the 8th century BCE till the 3rd century CE: the Homeric Iliad and Odyssey, Sophocles, and Euripides, songs of Sappho and Pindar, tragedies of Aeschylus, dialogues of Plato, and On Heroes by Philostratus. The course material has been designed to be easily accessible and transformative for a wide range of participants. Participants will be given access to a supportive learning community that showcases the methodology for "reading out" of ancient texts. These techniques will allow the participants having little or even no experience in this subject matter to see this literature as a magnificent and perfected system of communication. 

The candidates may choose any one of the tracks available to learn the course, one is the verified track and the other is the audit track. Both the tracks are self-paced but during the audit period, the course can be accessed only for a limited period. Whereas during the verified track, the course is open to be accessed for an unlimited period.

The programme of Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law certification course provides a great chance to all candidates who are interested in studying this subject in detail. The programme is offered by the edx platform and is in association with Stanford University. The duration of the programme is 16 weeks. Learners need to invest 2-6 hours each week pursuing this programme. This course is an introductory level course. The programme is taught by experienced faculty in digital mode only. 

The Comparative Equality and Anti Discrimination Law Training Programme offered by the platform of edx is a self-paced learning course that gives whole freedom to the candidates. Candidates after enrolling themselves in the programme can achieve the antidiscrimination certification for this course after paying the fees for the verified certification. Students can also avail of this course free of cost. Learners will get the hands-on experience that is required for being successful in the field. After completing this anti-discrimination legislation programme students will be able to learn about all the fundamental skills and techniques required for working professionally in the field.

The Introduction to Bioethics course is a platform for learners to gain knowledge about the moral challenges faced in the fields of health, medicine and biotechnology. edX together with Georgetown University has come up with this opportunity for keen learners. The framework of the Introduction to Bioethics certification course has been built to introduce the participants to the various concepts that define bioethics along with its core concepts and skills. Participants will understand the fundamental moral issues that arise in health, medicine, and biotechnology. Some of the issues such as the vulnerability of illness and the fact of death are as old as life itself while some are new. 

We are facing many challenges due to the growth of modern technology which seems to have unsettled our basic ideology about human nature and our place in the world. The majority of the issues intersect with the issues of gender and racial equality and policies influencing the world's most vulnerable populations. Undergraduates, policymakers, health care professionals, and anyone interested in learning about philosophy or ethics should pursue this Introduction to Bioethics training course. The candidates can pursue this programme in two tracks, namely, paid and free. In the paid track also known as verified track, candidates will be given unlimited access to the course and a certificate of completion but in the free version, they will be provided access to the course materials only for a limited period.

The Plato, Socrates, and the Birth of Western Philosophy course is being provided and instructed by edX and the Tsinghua University. It has been built to give the learners an in-sight into the origins of the western philosophy. 

Participants of this course will study and analyse the works of Aristotle, Plato, Heraclitus and other originators of Western philosophy in a comprehensive study of ancient Roman and Greek philosophers. This will enable the participants to build a strong grasp of the basic spirit of the Western philosophy. They will be trained to inculcate deeper thinking abilities, explore noble values, and learn to examine the world around them in different ways. They will develop a new perspective towards their surroundings. They will understand the concept and history of philosophy, religion and culture. They will learn about the society, the culture, the rules, the traditions that prevailed during the ancient times and the factors that gave birth to this philosophy.

The Methodology and Pedagogy of Teaching Social Sciences program by Swayam introduces Teaching and Learning Social Sciences, focusing on skills and methods for teaching social science, and instructional strategies. This program is based on student-teachers and working teachers in Social Science. The University of Calicut delivers the 15-week course.

The Methodology and Pedagogy of Teaching Social Sciences training will help learners to study the theoretical framework of Instructional plan in social science and how to implement it in classrooms. Learners will successfully understand all the fundamental ideas of Teaching Social Sciences. They will also learn relevant psychological theories and learn how to apply them in Social Science. 

Moreover, the Methodology and Pedagogy of Teaching Social Sciences certification course can be studied by any individual at any level of teacher education, including working educators to magnify their teaching skills. The syllabus combines practical and theoretical teaching to give a holistic learning experience.

Shakespeare remains the most staged, filmed, studied, and translated author amidst world literature. Stages, books, and other media from various cultures have localised, domesticated, and adapted this icon in several languages. To shed a holistic light on this writer, the Central University of Kerala has curated the Shakespeare Across Cultures programme, explaining how the world’s varying languages and cultures have influenced him and how he’s influenced them.

India’s numerous Shakespeare experts teach the Shakespeare Across Cultures certification syllabus, which deals with analysing Shakespeare through language discourses, geopolitics, identities, gender, race, how he’s negotiated on pages, screens, stages, classroom discourses, outlining his adaptations, etc. The training also touches upon vital concepts such as how Shakespeare’s adaptations evoke diverse cultures' responses, how they transfigured him in their cultural and literary terrain, and many more.

 A four-credit, elective programme for 15 weeks, the Shakespeare Across Cultures course by Swayam belongs to the ‘Humanities and Social Sciences’ purview. It’s intended for English literature postgraduates, featuring internal assessments and an external proctored test. Clearing these, the candidates can also obtain the curriculum certificate. 

With the Top 10 Social Issues for the President’s First 100 Days course, candidates get to thoroughly understand the depth & intricacies of the social policy issues constantly facing the newly elected US President & congress. The course, in detail, describes the whole funnel behind a President working with congress to pass new laws and implement social policies that are of very high concern and have a severe impact on human lives and community.

Top 10 Social Issues for the President’s First 100 Days certification course taps into the vast knowledge and ideas of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) faculty and helps candidates examine and understand the most pressing social justice & policy issues which impact the overall population. The pertinent articles concerning the real-time national level issues are regularly provided & the course material is updated after regular intervals to ensure maximum relevance among the candidates related to the course content. 

The Israel State and Society course by Coursera sheds light on different aspects and sides of the country of Israel. The course explores the history, politics, culture, and the economy of Israel. The certification course presents the culture and history of Israel in many different lights. 

The Coursera Israel State and Society course is an attempt to showcase multiple perspectives on the country and to delve deep into the heart of the country. It is an attempt to expose the learners to cutting-edge academic research on the country to help them understand the land and its various elements.

Furthermore, the Coursera Israel State and Society course is a self-paced learning online course that allows the learners to train at their convenience. You will be learning through different sessions hosted by experts who will share their research and studies on the topics. Students will receive quizzes to solve, as well as an online portal, to put forward their questions after every session.

In the Macroeconomics for a Sustainable Planet programme, you will learn about the challenges that modern economies face, namely, inflation, unemployment, fiscal deficits, trade berries, protectionism, etc. You will also learn about the threat that these challenges pose for billions of people all over the world, and how to overcome these challenges and pursue economic growth when life on this planet is becoming increasingly fragile. 

The Macroeconomics for a Sustainable Planet course will rewire the candidates’ understanding of Macroeconomics in the context of sustainability in an interdependent world. It explores all the traditional macroeconomic tools and principles and how they play out in the age of globalisation and the current wave of sustainable development. The course is led by Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs from Columbia University, who is also a senior UN advisor, and Felipe Larraín, former Chilean Minister of Finance. 

Macroeconomics for a Sustainable Planet is a 13-week, self-paced learning programme wherein you need to invest no more than 2-4 hours every week, as per their convenience. The learners can take the course in the paid or free audit mode. In the free audit mode, they will have the access only for a limited period. 

A Global History of Architecture Certification Course equips learners with limitless opportunities to acquire a larger-than-life experience of looking through the lens of history and historical architecture with its variations. Beginning with First Societies and proceeding with the 16th century, the curriculum enwraps all the valuable learnings of architectural history. This course is not intended to run as a linear narrative but with a more global adaptation of concepts with a stressed focus on different architectural instances.

Through the programme pedagogy, course participants will learn about the impact of the introduction of iron in the 9th century BCE on the development of architecture and regional politics. They will also acknowledge how newly found and developed religions like Hinduism and Buddhism bore new architectural understandings by and large in society. The course is self-paced but can be accessed only for a limited period during the audit track.

Each lecture imparted by an experienced pedagogue deals with architectural transformation arising from a dynamic cultural symbolism. The course material covered in lectures will be supplemented by additional readings from the textbook- "A Global History of Architecture" which would hone the textual knowledge of candidates and help them revisit what they have learned through modules. Lastly, the verified certification would make up a great addition to the learner's resume.

The course Reading Religious Conversion, served by edx aims to make us learn about the functions of religious communities. In this course, we will go through each section every week, starting from an introduction to the world of conversion. Women 's conversion, conversions between religions, what are the myths associated with conversions.

 All these will be covered under a time period of 12 weeks, where each pursuer needs to dedicate their 4-8 hours of every week to advance efficiently and quickly. You can also cap the timings according to your will and flexible time. Any graduate-level student or professional who has a clear knowledge and understanding of historical events can opt-in for this course. And after successful completion of the course, every student will receive an official certificate which will help to increase your job prospects. Certificates provided to the candidates will be signed by the instructors and there will be a logo of the institution.

This course in Developmental psychology: A Journey of Growth Within Relationships training by edX takes you on a journey into children’s social, emotional, and cognitive experiences. You will learn about the developmental processes and the impact relationships have on children during early childhood. Moreover, you will discover how infanthood relationships continue to affect our intimate relationships, our work styles, and our parenting styles, and shape our personalities as adults.

Developmental psychology is one of the core academic courses, which can be found in the first and second-year curriculums of many different study fields. It is also recognised as a professional development course by the Ministry of Education. That’s why Development Psychology training is recommended to the public and anyone interested in issues, processes, and dilemmas associated with child development and parenting.

This Development Psychology: A Journey of Growth Within Relationships certification course runs for 12 weeks and is offered by IsraelX. Being an instructor-led, scheduled course on social sciences, you will have to negotiate the course modules at a given timeline. Once you’ve completed the programme, you can also purchase the certificate and attest your knowledge with an official document by paying the prescribed fee. However, you can also audit the course without paying a single penny for a limited period. 

The 12-week Energy Resources, Economics, and Environment program is suitable for undergraduate or postgraduate students in Energy Systems Engineering. This is a multidisciplinary elective course in the humanities and social sciences category, where candidates will familiarise themselves with the necessary skills to undertake macro-decision-making for society. While the training features IIT Bombay’s faculty members, it also entails several trained teaching assistants.

Following the course structure at IIT Bombay, the Energy Resources, Economics, and Environment training have a systematized syllabus that teaches about vital tools needed for economic analysis. Candidates will also learn about measuring the impact of energy systems. Instructors teach this by reviewing available energy resources and learning how to quantify their scarcity and depletion.

The Energy Resources, Economics and Environment online course discusses basic economic concepts and how to apply them to energy systems. Candidates will learn about the tools and procedures for project economics related to large-scale decisions. The course wraps up with fundamental concepts of environmental and welfare economics required to analyze energy systems and their environmental effects.

The Feminism: Concepts and Theories programme is a 12-week-long online course designed to explain notions related to feminism. During this course, you will examine the growth, journey and entire history of the feminist movement. You will develop a vision to look at the ‘emotion’ that is characterised as a one-dimensional movement. 

The Feminism: Concepts and Theories training by IIT Madras aims to explore the feminist theory through written works, ethnography and case studies. This programme will also describe how gender works as a strong force in the world. Development of feminism through the years will be discussed in great detail.

The last four weeks of the Feminism: Concepts and Theories certification course will include lectures from various experts. These people belong to multiple areas of expertise such as writing, filmmaking, painting, and individuals who deal with questions of gender in many ways. This e-learning course is brought to you by the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

The Globalization: Theoretical Perspectives certification course offers the candidates learning on different social theories on globalization. The course provides extensive learning to illustrate the engagement with the process of globalization and the subsequent outcomes. All the theories have been well explained by using certain examples.

The course also includes assignments, quizzes, discussion forums, and studies for students to have a better learning course. The candidates will also learn about the examples and how it varies across different globalization. Certain specific themes have been covered in the course for finding out the engagement in the Indian society.

The Globalization: Theoretical Perspectives online course also has a certificate, which is awarded if the candidates take the end term exam. The end-term exam involves all the learning in every module. This course also prepares the participants for future industry exposure. The candidates will also learn about the different levels of globalization and how we categorize them. 

The Introduction to Cultural Studies online course deals with culture by drawing on psychology, political theory, and various other disciplines. From defining culture to looking at culture through different lenses, the program approaches cultural identities as socially constructed categories. This course also investigates culture from the perspective of identity, authority, and knowledge. 

The Introduction to Cultural Studies certification syllabus includes essential terms and concepts like Homi Baba'sThe other question’, George Orwell'sShooting an elephant’, Bell Hooks ‘Understanding patriarchy’, Judith Butler'sGender Trouble’ and much more. Students also receive rich downloadable materials and a list of books to use as references for further studies.  

Taught by Dr. Avishek Parui, from IIT Madras, the Introduction to Cultural Studies online course is engaging and helps candidates develop a holistic perspective to the concept of culture. The online program also gives regular assignments to help students improve and evaluate their progress.

The objective of econometrics is to measure economic relations. Therefore, the Introduction to Econometrics certification course by Swayam aims to use financial data, mathematical models, and statistical tools to bring empirical evidence to various economic theories. The course is equipped with theory concepts as well as practical training, allowing candidates to apply and practice problems and solutions. 

The Introduction to Econometrics certification syllabus covers numerous technical concepts like classic linear regression model, multiple linear regression model, application of F statistics, dummy variable models, qualitative response models, and the like. The course deals not only in economics but also in social science and pure science. 

Besides, the Introduction to Econometrics online course is taught by eminent Prof. Sabuj Kumar Mandal from the prestigious IIT Madras. This 12-week, AICTE approved course helps students get a broad overview of econometrics, data analysis, humanities, and social sciences and prepares them to explore the field further.

Swayam’s Introduction to World Literature online course introduces its candidates to the vast world of writings, produced in various languages, cultural contexts, and nations. While the program doesn’t claim to cover all time periods and every single one of their literary traditions, it does aim to familiarise learners with the English Language’s representative texts, available today. This short, 12-week training belongs to the English Studies’ and ‘Humanities and Social Sciences’ categories, set at the postgraduate level. 

An elective program, the Introduction to World Literature certification syllabus covers numerous vital learnings. These include classics such as Don Quixote, Beowulf, Indian literature from the likes of Tagore, Kamala Das, short stories, American literature like Toni Morrison, Alice Walker’s Everyday Use, critical theory, women writers, contemporary authors, and more. What’s more, IIT Madras’s renowned educator, Professor Merin Simi Raj, teaches this in-depth curriculum. 

Furthermore, the Introduction to World Literature program also furnishes course-end certificates to interested learners who sit for Swayam’s proctored exams. Upon clearing all the certification criteria and clearing the assessment, students can earn themselves an e-verifiable certificate to display their acquired knowledge in this subject.

Literary criticism is the analysis, study and interpretation of a literary text or school of thought. It is a medium for the critic to explain and defend her judgement and evaluation of a text and provide the readers with some relevant biographical and historical information. This enriches the reader’s understanding of a literary work and helps them appreciate it more. Literary Criticism (From Plato to Leavis) by Swayam is an attempt to provide students with an understanding of the subject by analysing some significant texts.

The Literary Criticism online course is an AICTE approved Faculty Development Programme (FDP). The training is designed by the accomplished faculty of IIT Madras. The course curriculum will take you on a journey through different literary works that have been studied and analysed for decades for their brilliance and relevance.

In addition, the Literary Criticism certification by Swayam includes a digital certificate verified by NPTEL at the end of the course for those who qualify for the certification exam. Candidates can verify their certification online.  The programme belongs to the English literature studies domain.

The Literature, Culture, and Media certification by Swayam is a part of the NPTEL scheme that provides free learning programmes for interested individuals. This course's curriculum aims to introduce participants to the intersections of literature, culture, and media through an interdisciplinary framework. Literature, culture, and media are responsible for generating new ideas and perspectives in the consumers and play a massive role in determining identities.

The Literature, Culture, and Media certification syllabus will touch upon and highlight some of the new forms of media that have reinvented and transformed the literary forms. Theoretical approaches and literary criticisms such as Marxism, Feminism, and Deconstruction will further explain some of the literary phenomenon and cultural aspects of popular culture.

Additionally, the Literature, Culture, and Media certification course by Swayam is suitable for all individuals interested in learning about the subject. No prior knowledge is required for enrollment. Further, the 12-week learning course falls under the Humanities and Social Science category.

Modern Indian political thought is an intriguing topic of academic discussions and arguments. The Introduction to Modern Indian Political Thought program by SWAYAM is a 12-week-long course that aims to teach the concepts related to Indian politics and its society as a whole. Learners will analyze numerous opinions and sets of intellectual conventions in modern India that continue to resonate in our contemporary politics.

The Introduction to Modern Indian Political Thought certification course is crafted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati. It acquaints the students to some of the most influential Indian thinkers. Also, candidates will understand how their ideas and vision helped define the political and social landscape of modern India, with the help of Professor Mithilesh Kumar Jha.

The Introduction to Modern Indian Political Thought training also discusses some of today’s political challenges, including democracy, nationalism, caste, secularism, and cosmopolitanism. This elective course also provides an e-certificate when candidates undertake SWAYAM’s test and fulfill the specific eligibility criteria.

The Introduction to Political Ideologies: Contexts, Ideas, and Practices online course is designed to teach how political membership, human action, ideas of state, and human nature are rooted in political events and activities. The esteemed Indian Institute of Technology, Madras has put together this program. It is also an FDP course approved by the AICTE.

The Introduction to Political Ideologies certification course also enables learners to form reasoned judgments about political incidents and events. A wide range of ideas and contexts will be discussed throughout the course. These include Marxism, Fascism, Ecologism, Liberalism, Nationalism, and more.

The Introduction to Political Ideologies: Contexts, Ideas, and Practices program by SWAYAM is a 12-week-long online course that delivers knowledge through theories and practical examples. The students will deeply understand the political ideologies in the light of recent or current events like social developments, court rulings, or significant policies. The training is provided at the postgraduate/undergraduate study level.

The Introduction to Political Theory by SWAYAM is spread across 12-weeks of learning. Learners will understand the concepts behind politics through theories and environmental studies. They will be able to comprehend the political ideologies that support society and are empowered to voice their independent opinions on democracy and politics.

Set at an undergraduate level of study, the Introduction to Political Theory certification syllabus explores concepts of equality, justice, liberty, and freedom in a country. Once students complete the learning module for the week, they can progress to the next topic. Students will receive book references to go through when in doubt.

Developed by IIT Guwahati, this introductory course is open for all students involved in engineering, social sciences, and humanities subjects. Professor Mithilesh Kumar instructs online training. Candidates can avail themselves of the Introduction to Political Theory certification by fulfilling the criteria mentioned for the course. Post-completion, the e-certificate will be sent to the candidate’s registered email address.

The Modern Indian Writing In Translation online course belongs to the Department of Humanities and Social sciences and is suitable for undergraduates as well as postgraduate students. The programme covers the information regarding Indian literature, its history, works in different regional languages, modern aspects of Indian literature, etc. Candidates who pursue this course will get to know about modernism, literary traditions, regionalism, and many more relevant topics. The course is offered by IIT, Madras.

Candidates will be provided with reference for external reading and study material by the platform. Participants can appear for the Modern Indian Writing In Translation certification exam if they seek to achieve a certificate upon the completion of the programme. The exam will be conducted in offline mode by the creator of the course and students will have to register themselves for the same by paying the exam fees. Candidates are free to go for a detailed learning experience and take as much time as required to sufficiently complete the Modern Indian Writing In Translation certification syllabus. The course does not require any specific timetable and is a self-paced course. The online programme includes case studies, tests, assignments, discussions, and activities for students to get a better understanding of the topics.