Curriculum Overview
The curriculum for the Masters Of Arts program at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya Port Blair is designed to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education that prepares students for advanced research, academic careers, and leadership roles in cultural and social institutions. The program is structured over two years, with each year divided into four semesters, offering a balanced mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and practical research components.
The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, research methodology, and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a strong focus on digital humanities, cultural analytics, and community engagement. Students are encouraged to pursue independent research, engage in collaborative projects, and contribute to academic discourse through their thesis and capstone projects.
Course Structure Across Semesters
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MA-101 | Introduction to Cultural Studies | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | MA-102 | Philosophical Foundations of Knowledge | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | MA-103 | Research Methods in Humanities | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | MA-104 | Historiography and Narrative | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | MA-105 | Digital Humanities Lab | 0-0-3-1 | None |
| 2 | MA-201 | Postcolonial Theory and Globalization | 3-0-0-3 | MA-101 |
| 2 | MA-202 | Gender and Society | 3-0-0-3 | MA-101 |
| 2 | MA-203 | Digital Humanities and Cultural Analytics | 3-0-0-3 | MA-104 |
| 2 | MA-204 | Political Economy of Development | 3-0-0-3 | MA-101 |
| 2 | MA-205 | Research Project I | 0-0-3-2 | MA-103 |
| 3 | MA-301 | Literature and Identity | 3-0-0-3 | MA-201 |
| 3 | MA-302 | Cultural Memory and Heritage | 3-0-0-3 | MA-202 |
| 3 | MA-303 | Psychology of Social Change | 3-0-0-3 | MA-202 |
| 3 | MA-304 | Sociology of Education | 3-0-0-3 | MA-202 |
| 3 | MA-305 | Research Project II | 0-0-3-2 | MA-205 |
| 4 | MA-401 | Comparative Cultural Studies | 3-0-0-3 | MA-301 |
| 4 | MA-402 | Cultural Policy and Administration | 3-0-0-3 | MA-302 |
| 4 | MA-403 | Thesis Development | 0-0-6-4 | MA-305 |
| 4 | MA-404 | Capstone Project | 0-0-6-4 | MA-403 |
| 4 | MA-405 | Internship | 0-0-6-2 | MA-403 |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
Advanced departmental elective courses in the Masters Of Arts program at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya Port Blair are designed to provide students with specialized knowledge and skills in their areas of interest. These courses are taught by leading faculty members and are aligned with current trends in academic research and cultural practice.
Literature and Identity: This course explores the relationship between literature and identity formation, examining how narratives shape cultural and personal identity. Students engage with critical theories of identity, including postcolonial, feminist, and queer theories, and analyze literary works from diverse cultural contexts.
Cultural Memory and Heritage: This course focuses on the preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage, including oral history, museum studies, and community-based research. Students learn to document and analyze cultural practices and artifacts, with a focus on digital preservation and public engagement.
Psychology of Social Change: This course examines the psychological factors that influence social behavior and transformation. Students explore topics such as community resilience, mental health, and social psychology, with a focus on practical applications in policy and community development.
Sociology of Education: This course explores the social dimensions of education, including educational policy, inequality, and pedagogy. Students engage with sociological theories of education and their application in real-world contexts, examining issues such as access, equity, and inclusion.
Political Economy of Development: This course examines the intersection of politics, economics, and development, with a focus on global development challenges and policy responses. Students analyze case studies of development initiatives and evaluate their impact on local and global communities.
Postcolonial Theory and Globalization: This course explores the impact of colonialism and globalization on cultural and political landscapes. Students engage with critical theories of decolonization, cultural identity, and global power structures, examining their relevance to contemporary issues.
Gender and Society: This course examines gender roles, inequalities, and social change through interdisciplinary lenses. Students explore feminist theory, gender studies, and social justice issues, with a focus on policy and practice.
Digital Humanities and Cultural Analytics: This course combines traditional humanities disciplines with digital tools and methodologies. Students learn to use digital technologies to analyze and interpret cultural phenomena, including digital archives, data visualization, and computational methods in literary and historical research.
Comparative Cultural Studies: This course offers students the opportunity to compare cultural practices and values across different societies, fostering a global perspective on cultural diversity and identity. Students engage with cross-cultural analysis and comparative methodology.
Cultural Policy and Administration: This course focuses on the development and implementation of cultural policies and programs. Students learn to analyze policy frameworks, assess cultural programs, and develop strategies for cultural administration and management.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The Masters Of Arts program at Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya Port Blair emphasizes project-based learning as a core component of academic development. This approach encourages students to engage in hands-on research, collaborative inquiry, and real-world applications of their academic knowledge.
Mini-projects are integrated into the curriculum from the second semester, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts to practical research questions. These projects are supervised by faculty members and provide students with opportunities to develop research skills, collaborate with peers, and contribute to academic discourse.
The final-year thesis/capstone project is a significant component of the program, requiring students to conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students select a topic of interest, develop a research proposal, and complete a substantial research paper or creative project that demonstrates their ability to synthesize knowledge and contribute to academic literature.
Project selection is based on student interests, faculty expertise, and available research opportunities. Students are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary projects that connect multiple disciplines and address complex societal issues.