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BA-HONOURS in Philosophy at Sundarban Hazi Desarat College
South 24 Parganas, West Bengal
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About the Specialization
What is Philosophy at Sundarban Hazi Desarat College South 24 Parganas?
This Philosophy BA Honours program at Sundarban Hazi Desarat College, affiliated with the University of Calcutta, delves into critical inquiry, logical reasoning, and ethical considerations. It covers both Indian and Western philosophical traditions, exploring diverse schools of thought from ancient to contemporary perspectives. The program is designed to cultivate analytical thinking and a nuanced understanding of fundamental questions regarding existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language, which are highly relevant for careers requiring critical thought in India.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a keen interest in abstract concepts, logical reasoning, and ethical debates. It suits individuals aspiring to careers in teaching, research, civil services, journalism, or any field demanding strong analytical and communication skills. Students from diverse academic backgrounds who seek to develop a robust intellectual foundation and an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving will find this program rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to develop sharp analytical and critical thinking skills, a deep understanding of ethical frameworks, and effective communication abilities. Career paths in India include civil services (UPSC, WBCS), law, journalism, content creation, policy analysis, and academia. Entry-level salaries can range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing significantly with experience in research, policy, or higher education. The program also provides a strong foundation for pursuing postgraduate studies in philosophy, social sciences, or law.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Concepts of Indian & Western Philosophy- (Semester 1-2)
Engage deeply with prescribed readings, summarize key philosophical arguments, and actively participate in class discussions to solidify understanding. Form study groups to discuss complex ideas.
Tools & Resources
Official syllabus readings, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, NPTEL Philosophy lectures, Local libraries
Career Connection
Builds a strong analytical base crucial for all future studies and competitive exams (UPSC, NET).
Develop Critical Reading and Writing Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Practice dissecting philosophical texts, identifying premises and conclusions, and articulating your own arguments in essays. Seek feedback from professors on all written assignments.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL for academic writing, Online philosophy journals, College writing center
Career Connection
Essential for all professions requiring logical communication, such as law, journalism, and research.
Engage in Interdisciplinary Exploration through GE Courses- (Semester 1-2)
Select GE subjects that complement philosophy (e.g., History, Political Science, Economics, Psychology) to understand societal contexts and other modes of inquiry. This enhances holistic understanding and analytical versatility.
Tools & Resources
College prospectus, Departmental advisors, University course catalog
Career Connection
Broadens knowledge base, useful for UPSC/WBCS civil services exams where interdisciplinary knowledge is key, and enhances problem-solving in complex real-world scenarios.
Intermediate Stage
Cultivate Logical Reasoning and Argumentation- (Semester 3-4)
Dedicate significant time to Logic courses (CC7, CC10). Practice problem-solving in symbolic logic and identify fallacies in everyday arguments. Join debate clubs or philosophical societies.
Tools & Resources
Logic textbooks (Copi, Hurley), Online logic exercises, Philosophical debate forums
Career Connection
Directly enhances analytical skills required in law, data analysis, ethical consulting, and any field requiring sound judgment.
Explore Specializations via Electives (SEC & DSE)- (Semester 3-5)
Based on your interests (e.g., ethics, mind, religion, language), delve deeper into specific areas. Attend workshops or seminars related to your chosen electives.
Tools & Resources
Faculty advisors, University career cells, Online courses (Coursera, edX) in specialized philosophical areas
Career Connection
Helps in identifying niche areas for postgraduate studies or specific career paths like bio-ethics, environmental policy, or philosophical counseling.
Participate in Academic Workshops & Seminars- (Semester 3-5)
Actively seek out and attend workshops, seminars, and guest lectures organized by the department or other institutions on philosophical topics. Present your insights where possible.
Tools & Resources
College notice boards, University academic calendars, Professional philosophy associations (e.g., ICPR India)
Career Connection
Builds academic networking, enhances presentation skills, and keeps you updated on contemporary philosophical discourse, beneficial for research and higher studies.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Research Project/Dissertation (if DSE option chosen)- (Semester 6)
If ''''Project Work'''' is available as a DSE option, choose a topic of significant interest, conduct thorough research, and present your findings in a structured thesis. Seek consistent faculty guidance.
Tools & Resources
University library databases, Research methodology guides, Academic writing software (e.g., Mendeley for referencing)
Career Connection
Invaluable for building research acumen, critical for M.A./Ph.D. applications, and demonstrates independent problem-solving to potential employers.
Focus on Competitive Exam Preparation- (Semester 6)
Integrate preparation for competitive exams like UPSC (with Philosophy optional), NET, or State Civil Services into your final semester. Practice essay writing, current affairs, and general studies alongside your philosophy coursework.
Tools & Resources
Online coaching platforms, Previous year question papers, Government publications, Mock tests
Career Connection
Directly targets high-demand government jobs and academic positions, providing a clear pathway post-graduation.
Network with Alumni and Industry Professionals- (Semester 6)
Attend alumni meets, career fairs, and departmental events. Connect with philosophy graduates working in diverse fields to understand real-world applications and explore mentorship opportunities.
Tools & Resources
College alumni association, LinkedIn, Career services department
Career Connection
Opens doors to internships, job referrals, and valuable career advice, helping with smoother transition from academia to the professional world.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Passed 10+2 examination with minimum 45% aggregate and 50% in Philosophy (or related subject) at 10+2 level, OR 55% in Philosophy (or related subject) at 10+2 level, OR 50% in aggregate when the candidate has not studied the subject in 10+2. (Based on University of Calcutta admission guidelines for affiliated colleges)
Duration: 3 years / 6 semesters
Credits: 140 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHICCOR01T | Indian Philosophy I | Core | 6 | Introduction to Indian Philosophy, Carvaka School, Jainism: Anekantavada, Syadvada, Buddhism: Four Noble Truths, Ksanikavada, Nyaya: Perception, Inference, God, Vaisesika: Padarthas, Atomism |
| PHICCOR02T | Western Philosophy I | Core | 6 | Introduction to Western Philosophy, Plato: Theory of Forms, Knowledge, Aristotle: Causality, Form and Matter, Descartes: Method of Doubt, Mind-Body Dualism, Spinoza: Substance, Attributes, Modes, Leibniz: Monadology, Pre-established Harmony, Locke: Empiricism, Primary and Secondary Qualities, Berkeley: Subjective Idealism, Hume: Impression and Ideas, Causality, Skepticism |
| ENVS | Environmental Studies | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 2 | Multidisciplinary nature of environmental studies, Natural Resources and ecosystems, Biodiversity and its conservation, Environmental Pollution, Social issues and the environment, Human population and the environment |
| PHIGGEC01 | Generic Elective I (from other disciplines) | Generic Elective | 6 | Choice from available interdisciplinary subjects, Varies based on student selection and departmental offerings |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHICCOR03T | Indian Philosophy II | Core | 6 | Samkhya: Prakrti, Purusa, Evolution, Yoga: Eightfold Path, Cittavrtti-nirodha, Mimamsa: Sabdapramana, Apurva, Advaita Vedanta: Brahman, Maya, Atman, Visistadvaita Vedanta: Ramanuja''''s critique of Maya, Epistemology, Metaphysics, Ethics in Indian Schools |
| PHICCOR04T | Western Philosophy II | Core | 6 | Kant: Critical Philosophy, Categories, Phenomena, Noumena, Hegel: Dialectical Method, Absolute Idealism, Mill: Utilitarianism, Liberty, Russell: Logical Atomism, Theory of Descriptions, Wittgenstein: Early and Late Philosophy, Language Games, Marx: Historical Materialism, Alienation |
| AECC2 | English Communication / Modern Indian Language (MIL) | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course (AECC) | 2 | Language proficiency and communication skills, Reading comprehension and critical analysis, Writing skills: Essay, report, letter writing, Public speaking and presentation techniques, Grammar, vocabulary, and common errors |
| PHIGGEC02 | Generic Elective II (from other disciplines) | Generic Elective | 6 | Choice from available interdisciplinary subjects, Varies based on student selection and departmental offerings |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHICCOR05T | Indian Ethics | Core | 6 | Concepts of Dharma, Karma, Rta, Rna, Purusarthas: Artha, Kama, Dharma, Moksha, Ethics in Bhagavad Gita, Buddhist Ethics: Four Noble Truths, Astangika Marga, Jain Ethics: Anuvratas, Mahavratas, Gandhian Ethics: Satya, Ahimsa, Sarvodaya |
| PHICCOR06T | Western Ethics | Core | 6 | Plato: Virtues, Good Life, Aristotle: Eudaimonia, Golden Mean, Kant: Categorical Imperative, Duty Ethics, Utilitarianism: Bentham, Mill, Hedonism, Meta-ethics: Emotivism, Prescriptivism, Contemporary Moral Issues |
| PHICCOR07T | Logic I | Core | 6 | Basic Logical Concepts: Argument, Validity, Truth, Categorical Propositions, Square of Opposition, Categorical Syllogisms: Rules, Fallacies, Symbolic Logic: Truth Functions, Truth Tables, Methods of Testing Validity: Truth Table Method, Indirect Truth Table Method, Formal Proof of Validity |
| PHISEC01 | Value Education (Skill Enhancement Course - Option 1) | Skill Enhancement Elective | 2 | Concept of Values and Ethics, Moral Decision Making, Human Rights and Responsibilities, Tolerance, Peace and Global Harmony, Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility |
| PHISEC02 | Art of Living (Skill Enhancement Course - Option 2) | Skill Enhancement Elective | 2 | Stress Management Techniques, Mindfulness and Meditation Practices, Emotional Intelligence and Self-awareness, Positive Psychology and Well-being, Building Healthy Relationships |
| PHIGGEC03 | Generic Elective III (from other disciplines) | Generic Elective | 6 | Choice from available interdisciplinary subjects, Varies based on student selection and departmental offerings |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHICCOR08T | Psychology/Philosophy of Mind | Core | 6 | Mind-Body Problem: Dualism, Materialism, Theories of Consciousness, Perception, Memory, Imagination, Emotion and Will, Freudian Concepts: Id, Ego, Superego, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence |
| PHICCOR09T | Social & Political Philosophy (Indian) | Core | 6 | Concept of State and Sovereignty (Indian Perspective), Justice, Equality, Liberty, Democracy and its forms, Human Rights and Duties, Sarvodaya, Non-violence, Satyagraha, Philosophical foundations of Indian Constitution |
| PHICCOR10T | Logic II | Core | 6 | Predicate Logic: Quantifiers, Symbolization, Proof Construction in Predicate Logic, Indirect Proof and Conditional Proof, Natural Deduction, Elementary Set Theory, Fallacies of Relevance and Ambiguity |
| PHISEC03 | Critical Thinking & Decision Making (Skill Enhancement Course - Option 1) | Skill Enhancement Elective | 2 | Nature of Critical Thinking, Argument Analysis and Evaluation, Problem-solving and Creative Thinking, Decision-making models and strategies, Avoiding Cognitive Biases and Fallacies |
| PHISEC04 | Philosophical Counseling (Skill Enhancement Course - Option 2) | Skill Enhancement Elective | 2 | Introduction to Philosophical Counseling, Philosophical methods in counseling, Ethical issues in counseling, Application of philosophical theories to life problems, Case studies and practical approaches |
| PHIGGEC04 | Generic Elective IV (from other disciplines) | Generic Elective | 6 | Choice from available interdisciplinary subjects, Varies based on student selection and departmental offerings |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHICCOR11T | Philosophy of Religion | Core | 6 | Nature and Scope of Philosophy of Religion, Proofs for the Existence of God: Ontological, Cosmological, Teleological, Problem of Evil, Religious Language, Faith and Reason, Religious Pluralism |
| PHICCOR12T | Epistemology & Metaphysics (Western) | Core | 6 | Nature of Knowledge: Justified True Belief, Sources of Knowledge: Rationalism, Empiricism, Theories of Truth: Correspondence, Coherence, Pragmatic, Metaphysics: Reality, Substance, Attributes, Causality and Freedom, Space and Time |
| PHIDSE01A | Philosophy of Language (Discipline Specific Elective - Group I Option 1) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Meaning and Reference, Theories of Meaning, Speech Acts: Austin, Searle, Private Language Argument: Wittgenstein, Language and Reality, Ferdinand de Saussure: Semiology |
| PHIDSE01B | Phenomenology & Existentialism (Discipline Specific Elective - Group I Option 2) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Husserl: Epoché, Intentionality, Heidegger: Dasein, Being and Time, Sartre: Being and Nothingness, Freedom, Bad Faith, Merleau-Ponty: Embodied Consciousness, Camus: Absurdity, Kierkegaard: Stages on Life''''s Way |
| PHIDSE01C | Contemporary Indian Philosophy (Discipline Specific Elective - Group I Option 3) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Vivekananda: Practical Vedanta, Universal Religion, Tagore: Religion of Man, Education, Gandhi: Truth, Non-violence, Swaraj, Aurobindo: Integral Yoga, Evolution, Radhakrishnan: Intuition, Idealism, J. Krishnamurti: Freedom from the Known |
| PHIDSE02A | Analytic Philosophy (Discipline Specific Elective - Group II Option 1) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Frege: Sense and Reference, Russell: Theory of Descriptions, Logical Atomism, Logical Positivism: Verification Principle, Wittgenstein: Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus, Ordinary Language Philosophy, Quine: Two Dogmas of Empiricism |
| PHIDSE02B | Feminist Philosophy (Discipline Specific Elective - Group II Option 2) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Patriarchy and Gender, Feminist critiques of traditional philosophy, Feminist epistemology, The ethics of care, Intersectionality, Feminist political philosophy |
| PHIDSE02C | Philosophy of Science (Discipline Specific Elective - Group II Option 3) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Scientific method and explanation, Induction and falsification: Popper, Paradigm shifts and scientific revolutions: Kuhn, Scientific realism vs. anti-realism, Observation and theory, Causality in science |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHICCOR13T | Contemporary Indian Philosophy | Core | 6 | Swami Vivekananda: Practical Vedanta, Universal Religion, Rabindranath Tagore: Religion of Man, Education, M. K. Gandhi: Truth, Non-violence, Swaraj, Sri Aurobindo: Integral Yoga, Evolution of Consciousness, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: Intuition, Idealism, J. Krishnamurti: Freedom from the Known, Education |
| PHICCOR14T | Applied Ethics | Core | 6 | Nature and Scope of Applied Ethics, Environmental Ethics: Anthropocentrism, Biocentrism, Deep Ecology, Bio-ethics: Euthanasia, Abortion, Genetic Engineering, Business Ethics: Corporate Social Responsibility, Media Ethics: Freedom of Press, Privacy, Ethics of Technology: AI, Data Privacy |
| PHIDSE03A | Aesthetics (Discipline Specific Elective - Group I Option 1) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Nature of Art and Beauty, Aesthetic Experience, Artistic Creation and Imagination, Truth and Falsity in Art, Interpretation and Criticism of Art, Aesthetics in Indian and Western Traditions |
| PHIDSE03B | Environmental Philosophy (Discipline Specific Elective - Group I Option 2) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Concept of Environmental Ethics, Anthropocentrism and Non-anthropocentrism, Deep Ecology and Shallow Ecology, Ecofeminism, Rights of Animals and Nature, Sustainable Development |
| PHIDSE03C | Mind, Language and Reality (Discipline Specific Elective - Group I Option 3) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Mind-Body Problem Revisited, Identity Theory, Functionalism, Theories of Meaning and Truth, Reference and Description, Nature of Reality: Idealism, Realism, Appearance and Reality |
| PHIDSE04A | Bio-Ethics (Discipline Specific Elective - Group II Option 1) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Medical Ethics: Physician-Patient Relationship, Euthanasia and End-of-Life Decisions, Abortion: Ethical and Legal Aspects, Genetic Engineering and Cloning, Animal Rights and Experimentation, Public Health Ethics |
| PHIDSE04B | Philosophy of Human Rights (Discipline Specific Elective - Group II Option 2) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Concept and Nature of Human Rights, Historical Development of Human Rights, Theories of Rights: Natural Rights, Legal Rights, Types of Human Rights: Civil, Political, Social, Economic, Cultural, Human Rights Violations and Enforcement, Indian perspective on Human Rights |
| PHIDSE04C | Project Work (Discipline Specific Elective - Group II Option 3) | Elective (DSE) | 6 | Independent Research on a Philosophical Topic, Literature Review and Methodology, Data Collection and Analysis (if applicable), Thesis Writing and Argumentation, Presentation of Research Findings, Viva Voce Examination |
