Dept. of Philosophy
B.A. - Courses
About The Department
Departmental Notice
Disciplinary Aims and Objectives
In the present scenario of globalization, we are so much influenced by western philosophy and culture that it has become difficult to maintain the identity of Indian philosophy. This department visualizes that our students equipped with new ideas and a stronger social concern would act as pioneer to eradicate social evils and create awareness in various spheres. To help strengthen students’ development as responsible citizens of society and to analyze and discuss the history of ethical theory and related moral issues in business, computing, health, science, technology, the law and the environment; and to reflect philosophically and ethically on their own personal, professional and civic lives.
- To inspire the student to confront the philosophical problems implicit in the experience of self, others and the universe, together with the question of their relations to ultimate transcendence (God and immortality);
- To develop in the student habits of clear, critical thinking within the framework of both an adequate philosophical methodology and accepted norms of scholarship;
- To introduce the student to reading critically the great philosophers, past and present, and
- Finally, to help the student to formulate for himself or herself a philosophy of life or world-view consistent with the objectives of liberal education at a Dewanhat Mahavidyalaya.
Goal I. Students will develop a crucial understanding of major traditions and contemporary ideas in the field of philosophy.
Outcomes:
- Students will read and critically assess the work of central thinkers in the history of philosophy.
- Students will explore and understand the historical development of major philosophical ideas.
- Students will develop a critical understanding of various key concepts in philosophy such as ‘truth’, ‘meaning’, ‘reality’, ‘mind,’ ‘the good’, ‘beauty’, and ‘political authority’.
Goal II: Students will learn to understand and apply concepts and theories of moral philosophy.
Outcomes:
- Students will learn to identify and evaluate ethical principles, values and traditions of moral reasoning.
- Students will learn to identify and evaluate critically the ethical foundations of key social institutions and professions with a view toward social justice.
Goal III: Students will acquire the skills to write and speak effectively about philosophy and other subjects.
Outcomes:
- Students will learn to recognize what constitutes relevant material and support for ideas.
- Students will learn to organize and to develop material in a well-reasoned manner.
- Students will learn to communicate ideas clearly with adequate definition and illustration both in writing and in speech.
Goal IV: Students will acquire the abilities to read, evaluate and respond critically to intellectual material from any discipline.
Outcomes:
- Students will learn to give fair treatment to views and values present in intellectual materials from other disciplines.
- Students will learn to identify the main thesis in any discourse and to evaluate its supporting evidence.
- Students will learn to detect presuppositions, value judgments and generalizations, and to evaluate their implications.
Specific objectives
- To impart quality education in Philosophy to rural and economically weaker Students.
- To make Students creative and research oriented.
- To raise the standard of our students to global levels and make them employable.
Mission:
The Philosophy Department at Dewanhat Mahavidyalaya is dedicated to fostering critical thinking, ethical inquiry, and philosophical exploration to empower students to engage deeply with the fundamental questions of human existence and to cultivate a more just and compassionate society.
Vision:
- Critical Thinking: To cultivate a culture of critical thinking and intellectual inquiry among students, encouraging them to question assumptions and engage deeply with complex philosophical concepts.
- Ethical Reflection: To promote ethical reflection and moral reasoning, fostering a deeper understanding of ethical theories and their application to real-world issues.
- Interdisciplinary Exploration: To encourage students interdisciplinary exploration by integrating philosophical perspectives with other disciplines such as science, literature, politics, and psychology.
- Global Perspective: To embrace a global perspective by studying diverse philosophical traditions from around the world, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and promoting an appreciation for cultural diversity.
- Engagement with Contemporary Issues: To address contemporary societal challenges and ethical dilemmas through philosophical analysis and reflection, empowering students to become informed and engaged citizens.
- Historical Understanding: To provide a comprehensive understanding of the historical development of philosophical ideas, tracing the evolution of thought from ancient to modern times.
- Preparation for Careers and Life: To equip students with transferable skills such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, preparing them for a wide range of careers and lifelong learning.
- Community Engagement: To engage with the local community through outreach programs, public lectures, and philosophical discussions, promoting the relevance of philosophy in everyday life.
- Promotion of Intellectual Freedom: To uphold the values of intellectual freedom, tolerance, and open-mindedness, creating a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are respected and debated.
- Cultivation of Wisdom: To cultivate wisdom and a deeper understanding of the human condition, empowering individuals to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Courses Offered:
Previously, the Department followed the Undergraduate Curriculum of the (1+1+1) System of North Bengal University. Presently the college is affiliated to CBPBU. Hence, the Department adheres to the Undergraduate Curriculum of this university.
The Department provides courses based on a semester system, which includes the following:
- 3-Year Honours and Programme Courses under CBCS Curriculum: currently pursued by 2nd & 3rd Year students
- 4-Year Honours Course as per NEP: currently pursued by 1st Year students.
This course has been initiated in 2023.
The syllabus for all these courses were framed and approved by the concerned Board of Studies (Undergraduate Level) of Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University.
Admission:
Admission to Semester I of the B.A. First Year occurs annually between June and July, subsequent to the publication of Higher Secondary Results by various Boards. The admission procedure predominantly takes place online, adhering strictly to merit-based selection procedure in accordance with government regulations and the guidelines set by CBPBU.
Prospective students initiate their applications through the college website using the online platform. There are no application fees for courses offered by the Department. Following a thorough review of the Online Application Forms, Merit Lists are published, identifying eligible candidates for various courses. Subsequently, E-counselling Lists for admission to the Honours Course are sequentially released, based on seat availability. Notably, the college accommodates all applicants in the Programme Course under the CBCS curriculum due to overwhelming public demand.
During the E-counselling phase, physical presence of the students at the college is not necessary. Verification of documents of the admitted students take place when Semester I classes commence. The admission process ends with the Registration of admitted students to the university.
The admission process for the Philosophy Honours Course under NEP in 2023 followed the same established procedure.
Throughout this process, the Department’s faculty actively participate in preparing the Merit List, E-counselling Lists, and verifying students’ documents. Additionally, they extend guidance to students, aiding in their choice of allied subjects.
Facilities Available: :
- As one of many Departments in the college, the Department of Philosophy does not have any separate set of organization or infrastructural facilities. Students are helped amply by teachers of the Department in consulting books from the college library.
- Teachers of the Department carry personal laptops to provide power-point presentations, beside this the OHP and Chalk – talk method lectures in the class to facilitate better, effective and attractive understanding of the topics.
- Departmental Meetings are held to discuss distribution of syllabus, assignments and lesson plans, preparing the lists of slow learners etc., setting up question papers, evaluation of scripts and other relevant issues are normally discussed to the part – time lecturers by the Head of the Department as and when necessary.
Wall magazine:
- The Departmental students prepare Wall Magazines every year and they have always remained attached to the publication of the Annual College Magazine Anveshana sincerely enough
Intake Capacity of 2022-23:
| Subjects | UR (45%) | UR EWS ((10%)) | SC (22%) | ST (6%) | OBC-A (10%) | OBC-B (10%) | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PH (3%) | PH (3%) | PH (3%) | PH (3%) | PH (3%) | PH (3%) | ||||||||
| Bengali | 131 | 4 | 27 | 3 | 64 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 27 | 3 | 20 | 1 | 300 |
| Education | 66 | 2 | 15 | NIL | 32 | 1 | 9 | NIL | 15 | NIL | 10 | NIL | 150 |
| English | 44 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 1 | 6 | NIL | 7 | 3 | 7 | NIL | 100 |
| Geography | 22 | 1 | 5 | NIL | 11 | NIL | 3 | NIL | 5 | NIL | 3 | NIL | 50 |
| History | 110 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 53 | 2 | 15 | NIL | 24 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 250 |
| Philosophy | 66 | 2 | 15 | NIL | 32 | 1 | 9 | NIL | 15 | NIL | 10 | NIL | 150 |
| Political Science | 110 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 53 | 2 | 15 | NIL | 24 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 250 |
| Sanskrit | 110 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 53 | 2 | 15 | NIL | 24 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 250 |
| Total | 659 | 19 | 140 | 09 | 319 | 11 | 89 | 01 | 141 | 09 | 98 | 04 | 1500 |
Department Faculties
SACT - I || Philosophy
SACT - I || Philosophy