First Cycle

BACHELOR OF PHILOSOPHY

The B.Ph. Degree Course

The first cycle is intended to provide a systematic and historical introduction to the fundamental themes of Indian and Western philosophy, and to initiate students into the methods of scientific research.

 The first cycle covers a period of six academic semesters, at the end of which a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy (B.Ph.) may be conferred.

The Curriculum of the First Cycle

 The ordinary curriculum of the first cycle, comprises the following:

1. a minimum of 59 ECTS in the area of Obligatory (Systematic) Philosophy, spread out over the following courses: Introduction to Philosophy 3 ECTS; Metaphysics (Philosophy of Being) 8 ECTS; Natural Theology (Philosophy of God) 8 ECTS; Philosophy of Nature 8 ECTS; Philosophy of the Human Person (Anthropology) 8 ECTS; Moral Philosophy 8 ECTS; Political Philosophy 5 ECTS; Logic 3 ECTS; Philosophy of Knowledge 8 ECTS;

2. a minimum of 50 ECTS in the area of the History of Philosophy, spread out over the following courses: Ancient Western Philosophy 5 ECTS; Medieval Western Philosophy 5 ECTS; Modern Western Philosophy 6 ECTS; Contemporary Western Philosophy 10 ECTS; Ancient Indian Philosophy 3 ECTS; Nastika Darsanas 3 ECTS; Astika Darsanas 6 ECTS; Contemporary Indian Philosophy 6 ECTS; Religions of India 3 ECTS; Subaltern Philosophy 3 ECTS;

3. a minimum of 19 ECTS in the area of the Supplementary Disciplines: Relationship between Reason &Faith 3 ECTS; The Social Doctrine of the Church 3 ECTS; Latin 3 ECTS; English 7 ECTS; Methodology of Study & Scientific Research 3 ECTS

 4. a minimum of 52 ECTS dedicated to Additional Disciplines — a general initiation into some contemporary issues connected with philosophy which emerge from the human sciences such as Psychology, Education, Communication and Sociology, with special emphasis given to the teaching of the Church.

Rationale/Teaching Methodology for the Three-Year B. Ph. Curriculum

Divyadaan has adopted a ‘three year course’ in philosophy with the hope that it would enable the students acquire a more reflective and integrated approach to life and ministry and help them take personal responsibility for their human and intellectual growth.

It was felt that we need to move away from the ‘Lecture method’ which was mostly utilized earlier. This method tended to focus almost exclusively on the completion of a certain syllabus. The students were expected to memorize what was presented in the class and to reproduce it at the examinations. In this method the classroom was the locus of learning and most of the work was done in class. The teacher was expected to run through the subject matter and the class notes were considered very important.

The ‘New Methodology’ that has been proposed requires that the ‘core syllabus’ be linked with life issues, socio-economic issues and the future ministry of the students.

This methodology proposes that class study be combined with personal reading. Students are expected to read a few primary sources. The professors, on their part, are expected to guide the students through a process of basic reading in the foundational courses. They are encouraged to move beyond dictating notes, and to involve student participation by means of, for example, class presentations. In case notes are necessary, the professors could give them to the students at the end of every section or class but not before.

The students could be divided into small groups. They could be given issues and questions to discuss in their respective groups and provided the possibility of presenting their findings in class.

Students would be helped to write papers with proper methodology and bibliography, take active part in seminars that develop their capacity to read, understand, discuss and summarize primary sources and finally to be able to come up with a personalized, creative and critical synthesis of their own.

The new methodology would require that the various courses be taught in an integrated way. The students would be helped to adopt a multidisciplinary approach interlinking the Christian faith and the Salesian ministry.

..................................................

*   Each credit (ECTS= European Credit Transfer System) has 24 hours (8 lectures + 8 seminar classes + 8 classes for personal work).