PG course in cultural studies

The aim is to provide a holistic approach to life, says Manipal University

Manipal University, which has carved a niche for itself in providing quality education in technical courses, is now exploring new avenues in the humanities field.

It will be starting Post-Graduation and Doctoral Programmes in Cultural Studies from June 2009.

Students who have graduated in Arts, Science, Commerce and even Engineering streams can apply for post-graduation in cultural studies. There is no entrance test.

The students only need to have a minimum of 50 per cent of marks in their under-graduation courses. The two-year post-graduation programme will have four semesters.

In the first year, the students will have subjects such as theories of culture, dynamics of culture, cultural change, cross culture, global culture, Indian cultural heritage and world cultural heritage.

Intense training

Head of the Department of Cultural Studies at Manipal University Choodamani Nandagopal said that the students will have to choose a practical subject such as dance, music, painting, sculpture or Yakshagana in the first semester.

They will get intense training in the practical subject for all the semesters.

In the second year (third semester), they will have to choose from four specialisations — history of art and aesthetics and art criticism, heritage studies, cultural studies, and gender studies.
In the final or fourth semester, the students will have to produce a dissertation.

The intake is limited to 20. “If more applications are received, we may increase the intake to 30. Already there have been registrations for the doctoral programmes. My department is open for more Ph.D. registrations,” Prof. Nandagopal said.

Opportunities

Students completing post-graduation will have opportunities to work in national and international research projects. They can work as writers, teachers and HR personnel in companies. They can go for further studies to European and American universities.

Fellowships are offered by Indian universities under the University Grants Commission (UGC) and by foreign universities for higher studies.

“Our course offers a wholesome view of world culture. The specialisations offered are new streams in the field of humanitarian studies. The aim is to provide holistic approach to life,” says Prof. Nandagopal.

For more details on the course content, contact: Prof. Choodamani Nandagopal, Head of the Department of Cultural Studies, Manipal University, Manipal-576 104. Ph: 0820-2922951. Mobile: 98864 43018. Email: choodamani.n@manipal.edu