DU limits the options for commerce students to languages in contradiction to UGCs direction

Updated on: Thursday, February 28, 2013

In contradiction to University Grants Commission's direction for integrating humanities and social sciences for students of other streams, DU has limited the options for commerce students to languages, while dispensing with courses like political science, history and philosophy. The Delhi University order came into effect from January 2013, when the current semester began.

A letter issued by the DU registrar on February 14 says: "If the college is not able to offer the MIL of the choice of the student, the department of modern Indian languages and literary studies of the university will make necessary arrangements through cluster classes." That essentially means commerce students will no longer be able to take up subjects like political science, history, sociology , according to a teacher from Shri Ram College of Commerce.

DU teachers and students feel the move also goes against the interdisciplinary and flexible learning integral to reforms . Earlier, an honours student in the commerce stream, could opt for a humanities or social sciences paper (paper number 2.5) in the second semester . BCom Programme students had similar options in the first semester (paper number 1.4) and the fourth semester (paper number 4.5).

Academicians also feel such a move goes against the modern interdisciplinary approach of learning .

Dr Manisha Tripathi, a teacher of sociology from Jamia Millia Islamia, says, "Social science and humanities give a better understanding of one's social milieu, diversity and cultural practices. Even IITs have social sciences as different departments . DU, rather than withdrawing , should continue these options for students from other streams as this is the right age (undergraduate level) to understand the social nuances."

DU limits the options for commerce students to languages in contradiction to UGCs direction

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