The University has launched Bachelor of Arts under the Choice Based Credit System. It is a broad based programme with a mix of disciplinary, interdisciplinary and skill-based courses.

The University follows the credit system for offering all its programmes. One credit is equal to 30 hours of learner’s study time. To earn a Bachelor’s Degree, a learner is required to complete 132 credits (out of which 36 credits will be dedicated to the Philosophy discipline, if the learner opts for philosophy as one of their disciplines) in six semesters. This course has the following objectives:

1. Introduce the learners to the main themes and topics of disciplines in humanities, social sciences and sciences,

2. Provide the learners with the information and skills necessary to understand and analyse their world,

3. Enable the learners to work towards ability and skill enhancement through exposure to appropriate courses.

4. Impart reading and writing skills through assignments and exercises of such kind at an undergraduate level.

5. Expose the learner to the importance of interdisciplinarity.

The 36 credits of philosophy courses are split into 4 core courses, 2 elective courses. In this course the learner will become acquainted with core philosophical issues, history of Indian and Western philosophy, as well as the application of philosophical ideas with respect to understanding the contemporary social, political and ethical problems.

The word “philosophy” (Greek philosophia) literally means “love of wisdom”. The Sanskrit term for Philosophy is “Darshan”, we can take it in the sense of vision, view, reflection. Usually described as a search for knowledge, truth, wisdom, virtue and happiness; the study of Philosophy originates as the result of man’s critical reflection transcending barriers of disciplines, times, continents, ethnicities, religious affiliations, and other enforced identities. The concepts and presuppositions present in various disciplines and in the everyday realities of life – such as ethics, science, logic, metaphysics, language, epistemology, ontology, religion, society, mind, politics, justice, etc. with all their theoretical underpinnings, constitute the core subject matter of philosophy. In this sense, Philosophy is a fundamental discipline which focuses and develops the reasoning and argumentative abilities of candidates instilling in them a nuanced knack for logic and sound argumentation.

Teaching and research is the most common career choice of students engaged in a specialized study of philosophy. In addition to this, since the study of philosophy trains the mind for better logical thinking, mental discipline, ability for analysis and synthesis, critical reflection on social and political realities etc.; students of philosophy are said to have an advantage while preparing for competitive examinations, especially for the UPSC and PSC. Not only this, the argumentative rigour that it inculcates, philosophy is said to have an obvious career enhancing potential, as philosophy students are sought after as lawyers, policy makers, media persons, in “knowledge industry”, for strategic planning, defence departments, politics, diplomatic service, etc.

The BAG in philosophy is not only oriented towards providing career opportunities to its students, but it also intends at broadening the horizon of people’s vision towards national integration, genuine appreciation of others’ ‘worldviews’, making them more understanding and respectful towards alternative ways of thinking and being, thereby promoting peaceful co-existence.

 

Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapur,
School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies,
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU),
Maidan Garhi,
New Delhi - 110068
Contact No: +91-011-29573376
Email: nandini@ignou.ac.in

 

The University has the facility of interactive counselling through All India Radio network all over India. You can participate in it by tuning in to your area Radio station. Experts from various areas are available for this counselling. Students can use the telephone to put across their questions to these experts. The telephone numbers are announced by the respective Radio Stations. This counselling is available on all days. The topic for each session of the interactive radio programme is uploaded on the University website.

 

IGNOU in collaboration with Doordarshan now has an exclusive Educational TV Channel called Gyan Darshan. It is available through cable TV network. The channel telecasts educational programmes for 24 hours every day. Live telecast is from 3-5 p.m. and repeat from 8-10 p.m. The schedule of programmes and live sessions is uploaded on the University website.

 

Gyan Vani is an educational FM Radio network providing programmes. There will be programmes on various aspects and courses of Bachelor of Arts. The schedule of the programmes is uploaded on the University website.

 

Teleconferencing sessions are conducted from Delhi. Learners can attend these at the regional centres and specified study centres of IGNOU. It is a one way video and two way audio facility. The teleconferencing is available on GyanDarshan-2 and Edusat. The faculty members at Delhi and other experts as resource persons participate in these sessions. You can put your problems and questions to these experts through the telephone available at receiving centres.

Assignment is a means of continuing assessment of theory and practical. Each assignment consists of a set of questions and/or activities that you will answer/do at your own place by referring your blocks. The assignments will cover all types of questions (long answer type, short answer type, objective type, multiple choice questions and case studies).

The assignments will carry thirty percent weightage. Students will be required to obtain fifty percent marks as pass percentage in each assignment separately. The number of assignments varies from two to three depending on the credit weightage of the course. The assignments of each course carry 100 marks.

 

Term-End Examination (TEE) is the major component of the evaluation system and it carries seventy percent weightage in the Final result. You can take the TEE after completing one year of study. This means that the TEE for the first and second semesters will be conducted at the end of the First year. Similarly, for the third and fourth semesters (Second year courses) and for the fifth and sixth semester (Third year courses), the TEE will be conducted at the end of the Second and Third years of the programme respectively. If for whatever reason, a learner cannot take the TEE, s/he can take the same in the next TEE to be conducted in the month of December or June.

In case a learner fails to get a pass score in the TEE, the person will be eligible to reappear at the next TEE for that course as and when it is held, within the total span of the Programme.