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 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 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 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 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 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 Emerging Trends & Technologies in Library & Information Services (ETTLIS) certification course has been structured to provide a depth understanding of the technologies that are used in the modern-day library. The course is designed for all the interested candidates, who wish to study this genre. 

The course on  Emerging Trends & Technologies in Library & Information Services (ETTLIS) certification by Swayam and IIT Delhi will be helping the applicants to understand the topics of- Institutional Repository and Digital Library Services, QR Code, Ranking/Accreditation, Ask the Librarian, Library Automation, EM, and RFID implementation, Use of Social Media, Remote Login, Discovery Services, Outreach programs, Reference Management,  Consortia based Services,  Open Science, Web 2.0 and 3.0 based Services,  Open Access, Digitalization, Green Library Concept, Virtual Reality Tools,  and others. 

The Emerging Trends & Technologies in Library & Information Services (ETTLIS) certification syllabus, will be completed within a period of 16 weeks. The course will take a total duration of 40 hours to complete the entire curriculum.

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 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. 

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.

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. 

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.

Under the Indian University Grant Commission's Choice Based Credit System (CBCS), the Biodiversity and Ecological Resources online course would count as a 4 credit course in B.Sc. Environmental Science. The program will benefit undergraduate students, such as science, arts, commerce, and other biological sciences. The environmental science course provides an overview of basic ecological and environmental services.

The Biodiversity and Ecological Resources training also covers the management and protection of natural resources, as well as their usage and overexploitation. The decrease of Earth's biological variety has considerably more profound ramifications than other environmental concerns. The in-situ and ex-situ techniques for biodiversity conservation on earth are the major conservative instruments for biodiversity conservation on earth and will be developed throughout the course. 

Energy is essential, either indirectly or directly, in the growth, evolution and survival of all forms of life. As a result, energy security is essential for economic growth and the reduction of unemployment and poverty. The Biodiversity and Ecological Resources syllabus provides in-depth knowledge of the idea and techniques of environmental sustainability for the management of all biodiversity, including the carbon sequestration and ecological footprint for sustainable growth.

The Bonds and Bands in Solids certification course is a 3 months online programme. This course’s syllabus is decided and made up by the eminent Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, but the course is offered through the platform of Swayam. Again this course certificate is granted by the institutions of NPTEL and the Indian Institute of Management. 

The Bonds and Bands in Solids training belong to the core programme section under the fields of chemistry, physics, Metallurgy and Material science, and Mining Engineering. This certificate course is explained by professor S. Ramasesha. The syllabus explains the concepts of the different states namely the electronic, vibrational states of the Solids.

As explained by the faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, An Introduction to Microeconomics online course is 12-week learning in microeconomics. It assesses economic theories of individuals as enterprises and their contribution to a country’s economic landscape.

An Introduction to Microeconomics certification syllabus includes a comprehensive study of humanities and social sciences. Topics generally discussed involve core economics subjects such as market environments, price discrimination, cost functions, isoquants, and comparative statistics. The lecturers give online and book references for students to read and learn with the curriculum.

Set at a postgraduate level of study, Prof. Vimal Kumar teaches An Introduction to Microeconomics certification course. He is currently an Associate Professor at IIT Kanpur and comes from a sound professional and academic background. Students can opt for an e-certificate by paying a nominal fee and appearing for a proctored test.

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 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.

Environmental Impact Assessment is an online course that can be pursued by both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The certificate programme is 12 weeks in duration. Developed and instructed by Prof. Harshit Sosan Lakra, a faculty at IIT Roorkee, the course is an AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education)-approved programme. The course will ecological impact assessment, environmental aspects and impacts risk assessment, EIA methodologies, and the like. 

The Environmental Impact Assessment Certification Course will provide detailed glimpses of Environmental Impact Assessment. It is the process of examining the possible impacts and consequences of proposed development and projects. Environmental Impact Assessment Certification is a free programme offered by Swayam and IIT Roorkee jointly. However, the certificate will be conferred only to the learners who sit in the exam and get the percentage of marks specified by the authorities.

The Environmental Remediation of Contaminated Sites online course is an environmental engineering programme, developed by IIT Roorkee and University of Rhode Island. Aspirants with a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Sciences can take up this curriculum. Assistant professor Bhanu Prakash Vellanki from IIT Roorkee along with Prof. Thomas Boving from University of Rhode Island will instructs the course, through numerous interactive learning sessions and written assignments.

The Environmental Remediation of Contaminated Sites certification syllabus splits into four learning modules. It further divides into subtopics covered over 12 weeks. These include remediation processes, law, regulations, groundwater, solidification, and more. A prior understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics is crucial to enroll in this training. Moreover, the course supports industrial learning through Degremont, Nalco Water, Thermax, and Veolia Water, and other companies.

The Environmental Remediation of Contaminated Sites certification is an AICTE approved FDP (Faculty Development Programme). Students can also avail of a certificate if they opt for it. They will have to pay a nominal fee and meet the criteria mentioned for the certificate. This certificate will be verifiable on NPTEL’s website.

The Air Pollution and Control certification by IIT Roorkee is a 12-week online course. This online certification course is aimed at providing learners with the knowledge and understanding of the causes and effects of air pollution and their controlling mechanisms. The Air Pollution and Control certification syllabus will equip students with an in-depth understanding of air pollutants, pollution inventory and modelling. Through this online course from IIT Roorkee, students will also learn the impacts of air pollution on various aspects such as human health, policy and a variety of contemporary technological innovations for the betterment of air quality.

The Air Pollution and Control online course includes a total of three credit points and is delivered via Swayam. Undergraduate and postgraduate students can enrol in this online certification course and find opportunities in industries dealing with emissions and air pollution control. The Air Pollution and Control classes will be delivered online by expert faculty.

The study of the still-life or still-life painting is the depiction of inanimate objects, focusing on their qualities of form, texture, composition, and colour. If you want to learn and understand the art of still life painting, Swayam’s OVAL-005: Study from Still Life course will help you gain in-depth knowledge about the elements and principles of the subject. 

The OVAL-005: Study of Still Life programme is a diploma course which is designed to teach the basic principles of still-life painting and the elements of the art-form to learners. The course can be completed in approximately 12 weeks and is taught by a top instructor from IGNOU. You will learn the subject using various audio-video multimedia and state-of-the-art technology to give you an enriching learning experience.

The OVAL-005: Study from Still Life course by Swayam is an online course. The programme offers video lectures and specially prepared reading material that can be downloaded or printed by the candidate. The course is currently ongoing, and you can enrol in the course to begin learning with the other students.

The ‘Conservation Geography’ online certification course is developed for the students to discuss the theories of geography in detail to understand the various aspects of conservation and biodiversity that enable development. This biological sciences and bioengineering program of the National Program for Technology Enhanced Learning(NPTEL) is provided by Swayam online education portal. The course classes are offered free of charge and are scheduled for a period of twelve weeks.

The instructor for this elective course at the undergraduate or postgraduate level is an academic and industrial expert, Dr. Ankur Awadhiya from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. The training consists of a virtual mode of learning enabled by videos, online lectures, and other resources that include working on case studies to understand the conservation intended development.

The ‘Conservation Geography’ online training program ensures the participants of the program with a course certificate and credit points after completing the course successfully according to the qualifying criteria.

Literati China: Examinations, Neo-Confucianism, and Later Imperial China course by edX is part of an XSeries Program focused on the exploration of China’s history. This course enables candidates to see China’s awakening in the 19th century through the 21st-century intellect. It gives information about China’s history, neo-Confucianism, the imperial period, and the exam system government. 

The course also lets the participants explore the 8th and 11th-century resources available in China along with urbanization & the state atrocities, China’s reconfiguration of vigor. Literati China: Examinations, Neo-Confucianism, and Later Imperial China focus on imparting information relating to the rich culture and prized moral autonomy of the Chinese. It teaches what changes Tang-Sang brought to China and how a new kind of Confucianism took place.

Hence, this course allows candidates to gain an alternative and exciting worldview and global awareness. It teaches how the key to knowing China today is by unlocking ancient China. There are 2 tracks for this course when opting for enrollment. One is Verified Track which offers unlimited access. The other is Audit Track, the price of which is free but this self-paced version is only accessible for a limited period.

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.

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.