Advertisement

Updated September 26th, 2019 at 19:40 IST

Anna University's mandatory 'Philosophy' course to be amended: Uni VC

Anna University faced backlash for introducing a mandatory 'Philosophy' course for third-semester engineering graduate and post-graduate students in Tamil Nadu.

Chennai
| Image:self
Advertisement

In a major change in education policy, Tamil Nadu's Anna University - the state's technical university, on Thursday, faced backlash on announcing to introduce a mandatory 'Philosophy' course for third-semester engineering graduate and post-graduate students, according to ANI. Talking about the 'mandatory' option, Vice-Chancellor MK Surappa had said the mandatory course will be amended to optional soon. He cited that he would speak with colleagues at the Information Science & Technology department. The mandatory course has already been slammed by many political outfits as 'religious imposition'.

Read | Allahabad University professor on indefinite leave, fears lynching

Anna University's 'mandatory' Philosophy course for engineers to be amended

READ | IIT Delhi Director slams Times Higher Education's university rankings

What is the mandatory 'Philosophy' course?

According to the course plan released by All India Council for Technical Education University, the objective of the course is to 'compare Indian and Western traditions' through philosophy. It also stated that the course aims at fostering critical thinking and bridging the gap between sciences and humanities, according to the course plan. The course comprises of five modules on philosophy - Knowledge, Origin, Word, Knowledge as power and Self knowledge. The outcomes of the course are stated to be 'students can think skeptically, ask questions', connect different branches of thought and arrive at a better understanding of self.

Read: Delhi University polls held peacefully, 39.90% voter turnout

Faculty say 'religious imposition'

The course mainly consists of philosophical concepts mentioned in Hindu scriptures like- Upanishads, Bhagwat Gita, Vakyapadiyam, Vedas. Apart from these Hindu scriptures, the course also included reference material on concepts by Socrates, Plato and Foucault. Reports have stated that faculty feel the inclusion of such religious texts like Bhagwad Gita would amount to imposing Hindu religion. They have reportedly said that ideally the University should give books of all philosophy.

Read: Delhi University elections for four positions to be held on Thursday

Advertisement

Published September 26th, 2019 at 19:24 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Bengaluru cafe blast case
a few seconds ago
Congress Press Conference
6 minutes ago
RCB vs KKR
10 minutes ago
Zendaya in Euphoria
11 minutes ago
Vishwak Sen
16 minutes ago
 Development is BJP's Main Agenda Says Kangana Ranaut As She Launches Campaign In Mandi
20 minutes ago
Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir
23 minutes ago
Nagaland: ENPO Decides Not To Take Part In LS Poll Process Till Its Demands Are Met
26 minutes ago
INDI Parties Stage Protest in Mumbai, Calls Kejriwal's Arrest 'Illegal' , 'Unjustified'
27 minutes ago
Lok Sabha Elections 2024
29 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo