The Proceedings of the national seminar on “Restructuring of Social Sciences courses in the present context” held at Udupi on December 15th and 16th, 2014.

The Proceedings of the national seminar on “Restructuring of Social Sciences courses in the present context” held at Udupi on December 15^th and 16^th, 2014.

……, Radhakrishna Acharya, Tantri, Madhavi, Durgalaxmi, …..

Sri Poornaprajna Evening College organised a national seminar on “Restructuring of Social Sciences courses in the present context” on December 15 (Monday) and 16 (Tuesday), 2014.  Addressing presspersons on 10-12-2014 (Wednesday) earlier, Madhavi Bhandary, Principal of the College, said that the objective of the seminar, sponsored by the University Grants Commission, was to discuss ways and means of attracting students to courses in the Arts stream. Generally, barring some, most students got into the Arts stream because they could not get into either Science or Commerce streams. “It has become the last choice of the students,” she said. Even if students wanted to join the Social Science courses, their parents oppose it. The aim of the seminar was to discuss thoroughly the need for restructuring the Social Science courses so as to make it more attractive to the students. “The seminar will also strive to make the students understand the importance of Social Science courses,” she said[1].

Durgalaxmi briefing about the seminar

The objective and Sub-themes of the Seminar: The objective of the seminar was to improve the quality of different disciplines coming under social science courses and to attract the intelligent students for the arts stream. Further, the new innovations for the improvement of the social science subjects were also taken into consideration. The brochure explained the theme, sub-themes and objectives of the seminar. The sub-themes included:

• Restructuring of Historical Curriculum to the present political & social needs.
• Development perspective – need for restructuring Economics as a discipline.
• Sociology for creation of an ideal society.
• Political ethics for Better governance.

The anxiety that the arts subjects are losing importance, there are no takers for such subjects in colleges and many colleges have already stopped conducting the courses were fully appreciated by the organizers, as incorporated in the brochure.

Balakrishna Hedge presenting a paper

The first day of the Seminar – December.16, 2014: The seminar was inaugurated by Prof Radhakrishna Acharya and during his inaugural speech, he emphasized the importance of inculcating moral values in India in changing times, particularly during the current period. P. Sripati Tantri, scholar and former Principal of Madhav Pai Memorial College, delivered the keynote address at the inauguration covering the theme of the seminar. He said[2], “Students are forced to follow a particular syllabus, they don’t have the liberty to choose their options in India, the art students were given study materials which will not help them to have a better career”. “The number of students enrolling in arts section is the least, it is high time to introduce a reformed updated version of social science”, he said such seminars may attract many students to the Arts stream. UGC is trying hard to bring reforms in the structure. “Arts should not be the last choice of the students”, he added. “Even if students wanted to join the Social Science courses for some reason, their parents oppose it”.

Paper presentation.1

Arts versus sciences, the existing dilemma: DHNS Sociology Scholar Prof Sripathi Tantri said immediate measures ought to be taken to improve the quality of the study curriculum, which demands innovation according to the needs of changing society. Delivering the keynote address at the UGC sponsored national seminar on the topic ‘Restructuring of Social Science Courses in the Present Context’ organized by Poorna Prajna College (PPC), he ridiculed that universities these days are evaluating the knowledge capacity and personality of the individual based on the caste[3]. He said, instead the universities should seriously deliberate on restructuring the existing curriculum, frequently to improve the quality of education. It is especially required for the subjects of social sciences. He added that the survival of the social science solely depends on the innovative steps taken to improve the text materials. He added the social science should be coupled with science subjects while teaching in Arts course. He said the arts related subjects are losing its prominence in the universities. The number of students opting for art subjects is decreasing and the students are not coming forward to take arts course. The Colleges are dropping the art courses and the teachers who teach art subjects. He opined that an engineering student should also have the knowledge of social sciences. Emphasising on the education pattern in the western countries, especially in the US, he said that US educational institutions give utmost prominence for the restructuring of the curriculum at every phase of the course.

Paper presentation.2

US and Indian style of education: He said since the inception of three universities in 1857, most of the universities stick to similar curriculum that existed since the time of the inception, he lamented. In India, the art student will be ignorant over the science subjects, while the student in US will have ample opportunities to learn additional subjects besides the subjects of his or her choice. There is a need to incorporate the US style of education that facilitates the students to learn the skills of many subjects simultaneously, he said. Stating that curriculum focusing the present day needs is the need of the hour, Prof Tantri opined that education quality should be improved keeping in mind the contemporary society and the livelihood needs. He opined that the contributions of Indians in the field of sociology is nil, instead the sociology in India is immensely influenced by the personalities who adorned the positions with money and muscle power. He urged the education boards in the Universities, to concentrate seriously on the need to upgrade the quality of the education, instead of involving in the unwanted controversies. Students should demand for the quality text materials, he said and added that the law issues should be studied in depth.

Durgalaxmi presents a memento to Balakrishna Hegde

Social science books in India have not been updated for the last 30 years: Speaking after inaugurating the seminar, PPC Evening College former principal Prof Radhakrishna Acharya said the books in social science are as old as three decades. There is massive difference in the educational pattern in the western countries and in India. Indians are hesitating to incorporate the novel innovative ideas in the teaching substance, unlike western countries. However, the hindrance to accept the changes would result in the end of art courses in colleges. This may add up to the additional woes, owing to the shortage of knowledge on social sciences, he said[4].

Delegates taking lunch on 16-12-2014

Paper reading session: Then paper reading session started[5]. The first technical session was chaired by John Bosco Lourdusamy, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, Chennai, who spoke on “Restructuring of curriculum of History to the present political and social needs”. The second technical session was chaired by P. L. Dharma, Professor, Department of Political Science, Mangalore University, Mangaluru, and spoke on “Political ethics for better governance.” The last third session was chaired by Dr Balakrishna Hegde, Associate Professor, Kamala Nehru Womens College, Shivamoga and Dr Sanmathi Kumar and Mrs. Ashwini presented papers.

Paper presentation.3.Satish Kumar Shetty-Durgalaxmi-

The second day of the Seminar – December.16, 2014: During the fourth session of the second day, K.V.M. Varamaballi, Director of School of Management, Manipal University, delivered a lecture on “Development perspective – Need for restructuring Economics as a discipline”. Dr Shivshankar Bhat of Surathkal presented a paper. The fifth session was headed by Duggappa Kajekar, Assistant Professor, PG Department of Sociology, Tenkanidiyur Government First Grade College who delivered a lecture on “Sociology for the creation of an ideal society”. After lunch, the sixth technical session started with paper presentation headed by M. Dattatreya Rao, HOD and Associate Professor, Sacred Heart College, Mdanthyar, Karnataka. Papers were presented by Mrs. Snehalata, Mrs. Sujatha Kumari, Mrs Radhika Pai and De Silva. During the last session, K. V. Ramakrishna Rao and Gururaj Prabhu presented papers. The session was headed by Dr Satish Kumar Shetty, Besant Evening College, Mangalore. There was a lively discussion about the presentation of the papers. Mementos were given to the paper presenters with certificates of appreciation.

Radhika Pai presenting a paper -Women empowerment

Observations made on the papers presented: The speeches / paper presented by the resource persons delved upon the Restructuring of Social Sciences courses in the present context. They had dealt with the issues and problems giving suggestions for the restructuring and reorientation of the subjects catering to the needs of the students. The women paper presenters had been so obsessed with the reports of the media that they used such details without any field study or going to the sources. They generalized the issues making sweeping remarks about many problems of the Indian society.

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao clarifying on Ms.Pai paper

Instead of critically analyzing the social aberrations based on the external and internal factors, drearily presentation made with generalizations. Legality of the issues connected with women, SCs and others were discussed based on the details compiled from the newspapers. Egalitarian and utopian views were expressed for solving the issues without caring for the reality of the situation.

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao commenting on the paper of Desilva

One paper was presented on the Iron pillar of Qutub complex at New Delhi.

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao presenting his paper

Valedictory function: The valedictory function was held in the PIM auditorium. K.M. Lokesh, Head of the Department of History, Mangalore University, Mangaluru, was the chief guest at the valedictory function. Dr Vijaya Ballal, Dharmadarshi, Sri Janardhan Mahakali Temple, Ambalpady was the guest of honour. Sri Pradeep Kumar Secretary, SPEC Managing Committee presided over the function. In general, all expressed their concern over the current situation of social processes, interactions and happenings going on in India under the LPG regime and stressed for the restructuring of the syllabi in such a way that the Social sciences were job-oriented.

Valedictory function – prayer

Dr Vijaya Ballal made an inspiring speech about the moral values.

Dr Vijaya Ballal speaking

K. M. Lokesh speaking.

K. M. Lokesh speaking

A section of the audience during the valedictory function

Section of audience – valedictory function – 16-12-2014

Ramakrishna Udupa thanking all during the valedictory function.

Ramakrishna Udupa thanking all – Valedictory

[1] http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/seminar-on-restructuring-social-science-courses-in-udupi-from-dec-15/article6679414.ece

[2] http://www.newskarnataka.com/udupi/Seminar-on-importance-of-Social-Science-subjects-held/

[3] http://m.newshunt.com/india/english-newspapers/deccan-herald/district/take-steps-to-restructure-existing-curriculum-says-scholar_34556870/c-in-l-english-n-deccan-ncat-District

[4] http://m.newshunt.com/india/english-newspapers/deccan-herald/district/take-steps-to-restructure-existing-curriculum-says-scholar_34556870/997/c-in-l-english-n-deccan-ncat-District

[5] Ganesh Prabhu, Seminar on ‘Restructuring Social Science courses’ in Udupi from Dec 15, The Hindu, UDUPI, December 10, 2014; Updated: December 10, 2014 16:20 IST