Foundation Course in Humanities (HSMC 101/102-18)

Course Objectives

This course aims to:

• Introduce students to the fundamental concepts and perspectives in the humanities.
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Foster an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that shape human societies.
• Encourage students to reflect on ethical and philosophical questions.
• Enhance communication and expression skills.

Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze and interpret texts, events, and ideas from a humanistic perspective.
2. Articulate their thoughts and arguments effectively.
3. Engage in meaningful discussions on social, cultural, and ethical issues.
4. Appreciate the diversity of human experiences and perspectives.
5. Apply humanistic insights to their personal and professional lives.

Detailed Syllabus

Development of Societies (HSMC 101-18)

Unit 1: Understanding the Framework

• Society, community, association, institution
• Social groups & social structure
• Status and role, norms and values
• Culture, civilization, and its elements

Unit 2: Social Change and Development

• Change, evolution, progress, revolution, and development
• Social change and factors of social change
• Theories and agents of social change

Unit 3: Social Processes and Socialization

• Social processes: cooperation, competition, conflict, accommodation, assimilation
• Socialization, agencies of socialization
• Theories of socialization

Unit 4: Social Issues and Inequalities

• Social inequalities - caste, class, gender, ethnicity
• Social problems and evils - poverty, unemployment, population explosion, corruption, dowry, female foeticide, child labour, violence against women, communalism

Philosophy (HSMC 102-18)

Unit 1: Introduction to Philosophy

• Meaning, nature, and scope of Philosophy
• Branches of Philosophy
• Philosophy in relation to science, religion, and other disciplines

Unit 2: Epistemology and Metaphysics

• Sources of knowledge
• Nature of truth and reality
• Mind-body problem
• Free will and determinism

Unit 3: Ethics and Values

• Theories of ethics
• Types of values
• Professional ethics
• Environmental ethics

Unit 4: Social and Political Philosophy

• Concepts of state, society, and government
• Theories of justice and equality
• Democracy, socialism, and capitalism
• Human rights and duties

Suggested Readings

• Development of Societies:
  • Sociology: A Global Introduction by John J. Macionis
  • Social Problems by D. Stanley Eitzen and Maxine Baca Zinn
  • Society in India by Ram Ahuja
• Philosophy:
  • A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell
  • The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell
  • An Introduction to Philosophical Analysis by John Hospers