Guwahati – In an effort to popularize the study of philosophy Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) School of Humanities and Social Sciences is starting, a 3-year graduate degree course called BA in Philosophy.
The first batch of 16 students from northeast India is starting the programme at St Clement College Nagaon, Assam on 15 June 2016.
“This course aims to familiarize students with the multiplicity of philosophical thoughts from round the world while enabling them to appreciate the ties that bind human persons through the prism of multiple cultures, religions, languages, movements and perspectives,” says Assistant Professor of Philosophical studies and Rector of St Clement College Dr Emmanuel Uppamthadathil.
“We hope to make the study of Philosophy accessible beyond the confines of seminaries to common people who have a philosophical mind and inclination,” says Assistant Professor of Philosophy at ADBU, Dr Dominic Meyieho.
The aim of the course says Dr Meyieho is “honing the skills of students in creative thinking through open ended and mutually enriching dialogue that leads to the formation of a philosophy of life for them.”
“Career opportunities in Philosophy primarily belong to the field of academics, that is, opportunities in teaching and research,” says Dr Meyieho.
The students of Philosophy can also opt for competitive examinations for the civil services at the State and Central levels or enter the field of business administration with specialization in Human Resource Development.
There is also a possibility of taking up professions such as B.Ed, or MA in Journalism and Mass Communication, Creative writing, and Law where one needs to have a way with words as well as a very good grasp of abstract ideas and thoughts, and sharp analytical skills.
After graduation in Philosophy one may proceed to do MA in History or Political Science, do an M.Phil. thereafter, clear the NET (National Entrance Test) exam and become a lecturer in any university.
Divided into six semesters (3 years) the students will deal with Philosophy and Life which will introduce students to come up with a Philosophy for life, i.e., Philosophizing Thoughts and Minds; Philosophy of Science, and Cosmology; Philosophy of Religions, and Ecosophy – Environmental studies.
In the section of classical philosophical treatises students will explore Ancient and Medieval Greek Philosophy; Philosophy of Human Cognition / Knowing (Epistemology); the Philosophy of Being (Metaphysics), and Moral Philosophy (Ethics).
The vast gamut of Indian Philosophical thought will expose students to the philosophy and religion of ancient India; classical Indian philosophy; the heterodox philosophical schools of India; the Vedanta philosophy; and Indian philosophical movements and contemporary Indian thinkers.
Not leaving out Western philosophical thought, the students will sample Modern Western Philosophy; Contemporary Western Philosophy (Existentialism); Logic (deductive and inductive); Symbolic Logic; and Post Modernism.
Started in 2008 as the first private state university in Assam and first Catholic University in the country, ADBU is the only NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accredited private university in northeast India. ADBU currently has five schools: Technology; Humanities and Social Sciences; Commerce and Business Management; Life Sciences; and Applied Sciences.
ADBU’s Department of Research currently offers PhD programs in 18 streams (Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Corporate Governance, Comparative Religion, Computer Science Engineering, Education, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering,Entrepreneurship, Human Resources Management, Language Studies, Marketing Management, Mass Communication, North East India Studies, Physics, Psychology and Counseling, and Social Work).
Online & Distance Education (DBU GLOBAL) of ADBU offers MBA degrees in eight areas. Other courses to be introduced shortly include BBA and BCA, as well as MA in Christian Studies, Philosophy, Human Rights, and Social Work. Some 6,000 students from 128 countries are currently enrolled in the various on-line program.