The history department of Delhi University has proposed revision of a paper in the syllabus by giving an emphasis on urbanisation in it. This was proposed in the general body meeting held on March 15 to discuss syllabus revision for undergraduate courses. It was also proposed in the meeting to include Hindi and other language materials on specific topics and offer more choices of papers to students under Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).
The general body also approved the formation of two nodal committees for course revision. The paper “Delhi through the ages” is a generic elective (GE) one offered for the honours programme. GE are interdisciplinary papers under CBCS wherein students study four papers in two years. These are different from the subjects in which a student is specializing in. “It was decided to revise the paper and create two new GE papers in its place with separate emphasis on urbanisation. Some teachers suggested that the paper on the history of Delhi be designed thematically. It was also suggested that the rubrics in the paper incorporate various case studies and students be encouraged to pursue one case study,” the minutes of the meeting stated. 4/1/2019
There was also deliberati on on revising the skill enhancement courses (SEC) for BA programme. SEC is a compulsory paper and the department has decided to offer eight papers across four semesters. The committee will now be designing three new SEC papers. The department has, however, decided to drop two papers — Body and Healing in India and Crafts and Artisans: Living Traditions. Honours students will get to choose from three SEC papers instead of two offered in each semester. “A new SEC paper on research methodology and/or a paper based on the study of sources shall be designed to strengthen the disciplinary engagement of students who have opted for history honours,” said the minutes of the meeting.
Proposing inclusion of materials of Hindi and other languages, the general body stated that in the past they had looked only for translations of prescribed materials in English or appropriate Hindi textbooks. “We should also keep an eye open for materials available only in Hindi for specific rubrics in particular courses.
History teachers are not always aware of these readings and with the help of colleagues from other departments we must urgently tap into these materials, some of which are important as well as relevant,” the minutes of the meeting added.
