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MA in Philosophy at Government Girls College, Gardanibagh
Patna, Bihar
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About the Specialization
What is Philosophy at Government Girls College, Gardanibagh Patna?
This MA Philosophy program at Government Girls College, Patna focuses on cultivating critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills through a comprehensive study of Indian, Western, Ethical, and Logical traditions. It explores fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and mind, preparing students to engage deeply with complex theoretical frameworks and their contemporary relevance within an Indian societal context.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for philosophy graduates seeking advanced academic pursuit, aspirants for civil services examinations, and those interested in research, teaching, or interdisciplinary studies. It caters to individuals passionate about developing rigorous analytical capabilities, ethical reasoning, and a nuanced understanding of human thought, with a strong foundation in humanities and social sciences.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to develop exceptional critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and communication skills, highly valued across diverse fields in India. Career paths include academia (lecturer, researcher), civil services, journalism, policy analysis in NGOs or government bodies, and ethical consulting. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing to INR 7-10+ LPA for experienced professionals in relevant sectors.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Mastering Core Philosophical Concepts- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with foundational texts in Indian and Western Philosophy, Logic, and Ethics. Form study groups to discuss complex ideas, articulate arguments, and challenge interpretations, building a strong conceptual base.
Tools & Resources
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, NPTEL Philosophy courses, Peer study groups, University library resources
Career Connection
A strong foundation is essential for higher-level research, cracking competitive exams like NET/JRF, and successful teaching careers, as it ensures conceptual clarity for advanced topics.
Developing Critical Reading and Writing Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Practice analyzing philosophical arguments rigorously by identifying premises, conclusions, and underlying assumptions. Regularly write essays and research papers, seeking feedback from professors to refine argumentation and academic writing style.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL for academic writing, Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research (JICPR), Grammarly for proofreading
Career Connection
These skills are invaluable for any career demanding analytical reports, persuasive communication, research, and effective knowledge dissemination, including civil services and journalism.
Active Participation in Debates and Discussions- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in classroom discussions and departmental seminars. Present your views, critically evaluate others'''' arguments, and learn to defend your positions thoughtfully. This enhances verbal communication and intellectual agility.
Tools & Resources
Departmental philosophy forums, Inter-college debate competitions, Academic conferences
Career Connection
Strong oral communication and debate skills are crucial for academic presentations, public speaking, legal professions, and leadership roles, enhancing employability in diverse fields.
Intermediate Stage
Exploring Electives for Specialization- (Semester 3-4)
Carefully choose elective papers that align with your research interests or career aspirations. Delve deeper into these specialized areas through extensive reading and informal discussions with faculty members specializing in those fields.
Tools & Resources
JSTOR, Project MUSE for academic journals, Reputable online courses (e.g., Coursera, edX) in specific areas, Faculty office hours
Career Connection
Specialized knowledge enhances your profile for specific research roles, PhD applications, or positions in niche areas like bioethics, environmental policy, or gender studies.
Engaging with Interdisciplinary Perspectives- (Semester 3-4)
Look for connections between Philosophy and other disciplines like Sociology, Political Science, Literature, or Science. Attend workshops or lectures outside the Philosophy department to broaden your intellectual horizons and understand real-world applications.
Tools & Resources
University inter-departmental seminars, Books and articles on interdisciplinary studies, Online forums discussing philosophy''''s relevance to current events
Career Connection
An interdisciplinary approach is highly valued in policy analysis, think tanks, journalism, and advocacy, enabling graduates to address complex societal issues from multiple viewpoints.
Preparing for Competitive Examinations- (Semester 3-4)
Begin preparing for national-level competitive exams like UGC NET/JRF, SET, or civil services (UPSC/BPSC) with Philosophy as an optional subject. Focus on understanding the exam pattern, practicing previous year''''s questions, and managing time effectively.
Tools & Resources
UGC NET/JRF previous year papers, Coaching institutes for civil services, Online test series platforms
Career Connection
Success in these examinations directly leads to opportunities in academia (assistant professor) or prestigious government positions (IAS, IPS), offering stable and impactful career paths in India.
Advanced Stage
Undertaking a Dissertation/Project with Rigor- (Semester 4)
Choose a research topic for your dissertation or project that truly excites you and aligns with your academic goals. Work closely with your supervisor, meticulously conducting research, formulating a clear thesis, and presenting your findings professionally.
Tools & Resources
Zotero/Mendeley for citation management, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar for literature review, Statistical software (if applicable to research)
Career Connection
A well-executed dissertation showcases advanced research skills, analytical depth, and academic independence, crucial for securing PhD admissions, research fellowships, or positions in research organizations.
Networking with Academics and Professionals- (Semester 4)
Attend university-level and external philosophy conferences, seminars, and workshops. Engage with scholars, present your research if possible, and build a professional network that can open doors to mentorship, collaborations, and career opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn for professional networking, Conference announcements (e.g., ICPR, university events), Departmental alumni network
Career Connection
Networking is vital for academic placements, securing recommendations for higher studies abroad, and finding opportunities in policy think tanks or NGOs where connections matter significantly.
Refining Communication and Presentation Skills- (Semester 4)
Practice presenting your research effectively to diverse audiences. Work on structuring arguments logically, using clear language, and engaging listeners. Seek opportunities to give talks or participate in public forums.
Tools & Resources
Toastmasters International (if available), TED Talks for presentation inspiration, Mock interview sessions
Career Connection
Excellent presentation skills are universally demanded, from delivering lectures in academia to advocating for policies in government or NGO sectors, significantly boosting career progression.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s degree with Philosophy as a subject with at least 45% marks from a recognized university (as per Patna University PG admission norms).
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 64 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 30%, External: 70%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIC-101 | Indian Philosophy - I | Core | 4 | Nature and Characteristics of Indian Philosophy, Vedic and Upanisadic Philosophy, Carvaka and Jainism Systems, Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, Ksanikavada, Nyaya-Vaisesika Metaphysics and Epistemology, Samkhya-Yoga Dualism and Prakriti-Purusa |
| PHIC-102 | History of Western Philosophy - I | Core | 4 | Pre-Socratic Philosophy (Milesians, Heraclitus, Parmenides), Socrates: Ethical Intellectualism, Socratic Method, Plato: Theory of Ideas, Soul, Knowledge, Aristotle: Form and Matter, Causality, Ethics, Medieval Philosophy: Scholasticism, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas: Faith and Reason, Proofs for God |
| PHIC-103 | Ethics - I | Core | 4 | Nature and Scope of Ethics, Moral Concepts, Ethical Theories: Deontology vs. Teleology, Aristotle''''s Virtue Ethics, Eudaimonia, Kant''''s Categorical Imperative, Duty, Utilitarianism: Bentham and Mill, Meta-ethics: Naturalism, Non-naturalism |
| PHIC-104 | Logic - I | Core | 4 | Nature of Logic, Argument Structure, Propositional Logic, Truth Functions, Categorical Syllogism, Venn Diagrams, Quantification Theory, Predicate Logic, Informal Fallacies, Types and Detection, Inductive Logic, Mill''''s Methods |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIC-201 | Indian Philosophy - II | Core | 4 | Mimamsa Philosophy: Dharma, Sabda Pramana, Advaita Vedanta: Brahman, Maya, Atman, Visistadvaita and Dvaita Vedanta, Sakta and Saiva Systems of Philosophy, Kashmir Saivism, Pratyabhijna, Indian Materialism and Lokayata |
| PHIC-202 | History of Western Philosophy - II | Core | 4 | Rationalism: Descartes (Methodic Doubt, Cogito), Spinoza: Substance, Attributes, Modes, Leibniz: Monads, Pre-established Harmony, Empiricism: Locke (Tabula Rasa, Primary/Secondary Qualities), Berkeley: Esse est percipi (To be is to be perceived), Hume: Impressions and Ideas, Skepticism, Causality |
| PHIC-203 | Ethics - II | Core | 4 | Contemporary Ethical Theories: Emotivism, Intuitionism, Universal Prescriptivism, Moral Language, Gandhi''''s Ethics: Ahimsa, Satya, Sarvodaya, Environmental Ethics, Deep Ecology, Anthropocentrism, Feminist Ethics, Care Ethics, Business Ethics, Professional Ethics |
| PHIC-204 | Logic - II | Core | 4 | Symbolic Logic, Formal Systems, Modern Logic, Axiomatic Approach, Set Theory, Basic Concepts, Operations, Truth Trees, Proof Methods, Fuzzy Logic, Multi-valued Logic, Modal Logic, Possibility and Necessity |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIC-301 | Analytical Philosophy | Core | 4 | Linguistic Turn in Philosophy, Frege: Sense and Reference, Russell: Theory of Descriptions, Logical Atomism, Early Wittgenstein: Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, Logical Positivism, Verification Principle, Ordinary Language Philosophy: Late Wittgenstein, Austin |
| PHIC-302 | Social and Political Philosophy | Core | 4 | Nature of Society, Individual and Community, State and Sovereignty, Theories of State, Justice: Theories of Rawls, Nozick, Liberty, Equality, Rights, Human Rights, Democracy, Socialism, Communism, Gandhi''''s Political Thought: Satyagraha, Swaraj |
| PHIC-303 | Elective - I (Choice A: Phenomenology & Existentialism) | Elective | 4 | Husserl: Intentionality, Phenomenological Reduction, Heidegger: Dasein, Being-in-the-World, Sartre: Being-for-itself, Freedom, Anguish, Camus: Absurdity, Revolt, Merleau-Ponty: Embodiment, Perception, Key themes: Authenticity, Subjectivity, Responsibility |
| PHIC-303 | Elective - I (Choice B: Philosophy of Religion) | Elective | 4 | Nature of Religion, Religious Experience, Concept of God, Attributes of God, Proofs for God''''s Existence (Ontological, Cosmological), Problem of Evil, Theodicy, Faith and Reason, Religious Language, Mysticism, Atheism, Agnosticism |
| PHIC-304 | Elective - II (Choice A: Philosophy of Mind) | Elective | 4 | Mind-Body Problem: Dualism, Materialism, Identity Theory, Functionalism, Consciousness: Nature, Theories, Artificial Intelligence and the Mind, Personal Identity, Self, Intentionality, Qualia |
| PHIC-304 | Elective - II (Choice B: Applied Ethics) | Elective | 4 | Bioethics: Euthanasia, Abortion, Genetic Engineering, Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Media Ethics, Freedom of Speech, Animal Rights, Veganism, Gender Ethics, Reproductive Rights, Poverty and Global Justice |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHIC-401 | Continental Philosophy | Core | 4 | Phenomenology (Husserl, Heidegger), Hermeneutics (Gadamer, Ricoeur), Structuralism (Saussure, Levi-Strauss), Post-Structuralism (Derrida, Foucault), Critical Theory (Frankfurt School), Postmodernism (Lyotard, Baudrillard) |
| PHIC-402 | Research Methodology & Project/Dissertation | Core | 4 | Philosophical Research: Nature and Scope, Research Design, Problem Formulation, Methods of Philosophical Inquiry (Analysis, Synthesis, Critique), Data Collection in Humanities, Source Criticism, Academic Writing, Referencing Styles, Dissertation/Project Work, Presentation |
| PHIC-403 | Elective - III (Choice A: Contemporary Indian Philosophy) | Elective | 4 | Swami Vivekananda: Practical Vedanta, Universal Religion, Rabindranath Tagore: Humanism, Philosophy of Education, Sri Aurobindo: Integral Yoga, Evolution of Consciousness, S. Radhakrishnan: Intuition, Idealist View of Life, Mohammed Iqbal: Selfhood, Perfect Man, J. Krishnamurti: Freedom, Choiceless Awareness |
| PHIC-403 | Elective - III (Choice B: Philosophy of Science) | Elective | 4 | Nature of Science, Scientific Method, Induction and Falsification (Popper), Paradigms and Scientific Revolutions (Kuhn), Realism vs. Anti-realism in Science, Explanation in Science, Laws of Nature, Science and Pseudoscience |
| PHIC-404 | Elective - IV (Choice A: Aesthetics) | Elective | 4 | Nature of Art, Beauty, Aesthetic Experience, Theories of Art: Imitation, Expression, Formalism, Indian Aesthetics: Rasa Theory, Dhvani Theory, Art Criticism, Interpretation, Role of Emotion in Art, Art and Morality, Modern and Postmodern Aesthetics |
| PHIC-404 | Elective - IV (Choice B: Gender Studies) | Elective | 4 | Feminist Philosophy: Core Concepts, Gender Identity, Sex vs. Gender, Patriarchy and its Manifestations, Intersectionality, Caste and Gender, Gender Justice, Women''''s Rights in India, Gender and Sexuality, Queer Theory |
