Where mind knows no bounds

M Rajivlochan

Interest in human beings and having empathy for them is the one essential pre-requisite for studying Humanities. For, in the end this stream involves a systematic study of the human condition — the manner in which human beings go about shaping their world through interactions with each other, with other animals and with Nature. Over the years Humanities has been sub-divided into different ‘disciplines’ or ‘subjects’ — each of which has several sub-specialisations. However, the sometimes harsh boundaries between these disciplines need not bother a person entering this arena of human knowledge. 

But if you are planning to study Humanities, then do be prepared for representatives of each subdivision to claim primacy for their own specialisation over all others. Studying Humanities leads to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and almost a third of those who obtain a BA degree go in for two more years of studies leading to a Master’s in Arts (MA). 

The first step

The students have a vast range of subjects to choose from, and an equally wide  range of institutions offer courses in Humanities. Though some institutes are exceptionally picky choosy, yet with the exception of colleges like the St. Stephen’s, where admission is significantly dependent on an interview and entry is almost entirely on the basis of marks obtained at the qualifying level. For entry at the master’s level many institutions conduct entrance tests while others create a merit list based on marks obtained in the qualifying examination. These days studying Humanities is also a great option for those who are NOT going in for a BA but are instead seeking entry into a BSc or a BTech programme. For them these subjects are available as subsidiary subjects too.

Being proficient in at least one language and, if possible, in more than one, is a must for really enjoying this stream. At the college level there are some courses dealing with communication skills but usually in India it is for the student to decide to learn the use of language properly for there is going to be no formal pressure to do so.

Active classrooms

The learning process in Humanities primarily involves classroom lectures. The better colleges and universities supplement classroom teaching with tutorials, which essentially are about writing an essay per semester in every course. The tutorial provides an opportunity to read beyond the textbooks. It also allows an opportunity to write a reflective 2000-word essay and enables a deeper interaction than is possible in class lectures, with the teacher. As of now, though, tutorials are not mandated by the education system in India. Only a few teachers in a few institutions take them. And they do not get counted towards the final evaluation of students. Some courses of instruction, such as the BA (Hons.) programme at GNDU, demand submitting a short thesis as well.

Traditional vs modern disciplines

The subjects on offer vary from university to university and college to college. ‘Traditional’ subjects — the ones that have been around for a very long time include anthropology, economics, geography, history, languages, literature, music, painting, philosophy, political science, psychology, public administration, religion, sociology etc. Then there are some that have come up in recent times,  much in response to the demands of society. These include subjects like social work, defence studies and police administration.

Each of the subjects has its own specific focus and strong points. Given the strong anglo-centric bias in India, virtually all subjects are heavily focussed on knowledge generated in the English language and in English-speaking countries. Even when a significant part of the knowledge emanates from non-English speaking societies, as in philosophy, it gets routed to Indian students through the Anglophones.  

Subject wise

Some subjects, like philosophy, introduce the student to a world of thought and knowledge that has roots in antiquity. Essentially philosophy course at the BA level covers issues of meta-knowledge, knowledge of how knowledge about anything is created. Reading the thoughts of philosophers of a bygone era and the manner of their construction remains part of the core of philosophy — at least in popular perception. Philosophy, however, also leads the student into a formal study of logic and analysis. A study of feelings and aesthetics, too, has become an important component of formal training in philosophy. Questions of choice, decision making and their pros and cons become part of the sub-discipline of social philosophy. Philosophy remains one of the rare subjects in the Humanities stream that still claims access to absolute knowledge. The other subjects have, for some decades now, lost their hubris and say that all knowledge is tentative. 

Deeper understanding

Out of philosophy emerges the subject of religion. Here the focus extends to a deeper understanding of ideas and practises associated with religion.

It was only in the 19th century that the other subjects of this stream began to take distinct shape. History, an ancient craft till now that used to focus on narrating the doings of kings and empires transformed itself into what it is today. Now studying history is not just about learning facts about the past or explaining how the modern world emerged from its murky origins. History is more about making sense of complex situations in which the relationship between origins and results, and intentions and consequences, is not immediately evident. 

One of the most important skills that a study of history imparts is the skill in intelligent reading and lucid writing — skills that will last a lifetime. Historians learn to write narratives that clearly describe how and why something happened. They also learn to read critically, following arguments and measuring the distance between authors’ objectives and the meaning of their texts.

The science connect

Other subjects focus more sharply on specific parts of the human condition. Some of these have one foot in the sciences too. Geography and psychology are subjects of this sort — closest to the pure sciences in their method. Psychology delves into the inner recesses of human behaviour at the individual as well as collective level. Geography is about studying the physical processes and natural environments, but it is also about studying the manner in which humans interface with this environment, create societies. In the latter part of the subject there is a lot of overlap between the study of geography and other disciplines like anthropology, sociology, and politics. Those subjects focus more on the study of social interactions, the underlying structures of society and the manner in which they create opportunities for individuals or restrict them. Both anthropology and sociology have been used extensively by, inter alia, departmental store chains — to figure out the purchasing behaviour of individuals.

The study of politics on the other hand is focussed on the interplay between human beings and the structures of governance that have been created. In India political scientists have been in the forefront of telling us the nature of India’s democracy. Election studies remains one of the most visible part of the discipline of political science.

There continues to be a popular belief that Humanities are ‘easy’ subjects.  But scoring well in the exams is a different thing altogether. The subjects in this stream require as systematic a study as in any other stream. 

 — The writer is Professor, Panjab University, Chandigarh

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Top Humanities colleges

Government College for Girls,  Chandigarh
www.gcg.org
Cut-off: BA (gen) 63 per cent
USP: In recognition of its outstanding all-round performance, the college has been accredited with A Grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

DAV College, Sector 10,  Chandigarh
www.davchd.com
Seats: BA (General) - 700
Cut-off: Over 55 per cent
USP: The college has been holding computer literacy classes for senior citizens free of cost. 

St Bede’s College, Shimla
stbedescollege.in
Seats: 60 in each subject of the arts stream
USP: Still carries the British aura, known for English honours course and famous alumni

Government Rajindra College, Bathinda
www.grcb.ac.in
Cut offs: BA - 60 per cent; 
USP: This year the college has made it to the list of model colleges which will get Central-State government grant of Rs 4 crore under the Rashtriya Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyaan.  

Government College for Girls, Ludhiana
[email protected]
Seats: 550
Cut off: 62 per  cent
USP: Maximum university positions in different undergraduate courses and national championships in Sports.

Jat College, Rohtak
www.jatcollegerohtak.org
Cut-off: Between 45 to 60 per cent, depending upon the course and availability of seats.
USP: Described as "Mecca of Sports" in North India by the NAAC Peer Team in its report for accreditation.

Dayanand Anglo Vedic Post-Graduate College, Dehradun 
www.davpgcollege.com
USP: It is the biggest college of Uttarakhand. A total of 18,000 students are enrolled in the college. The college has former Mauritius Primer Minister Shiv Sagar Ram Ghulam, Late Union Minister HN Bahuguna and Late Army Chief Gen BC Joshi among its alumini.

(Based on selected lists from India Today, Outlook and other national surveys)