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Business Standard
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
DU Executive Council's curriculum changes spark protest from faculty
Delhi University's Executive Council (EC), in its 1,275th meeting on Friday, approved sweeping changes to the syllabus across departments including Psychology, Sociology, and English. It also cleared new academic programmes in journalism and nuclear medicine, introduced uniform rules on teacher seniority, and took key administrative decisions. Curriculum revamp: Psychology and Sociology The elective paper Psychology of Peace will no longer include case studies on conflict. Instead, it will incorporate Indian epics to illustrate peace and conflict resolution. A unit on dating apps has also been removed from the Relationship Science paper. In Sociology, foundational theorists such as Karl Marx and Thomas Robert Malthus have been dropped from the Population and Society paper. A section on Sociology of Food has also been omitted. The Sociology of Law paper will now focus more on Indian authors, particularly those writing on religion. The meeting saw sharp opposition from elected EC members, who decried the revisions as 'ideological interference' and an erosion of academic independence. Particularly contested were the removals of case studies on Kashmir, Palestine, India-Pakistan tensions, and the Northeast, which were replaced with references from religious texts such as the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. EC member Rudrashish Chakraborty, Associate Professor at Kirori Mal College, called the changes 'an abject compromise on course quality' and 'a complete disregard for disciplinary expertise.' He warned that such ideological impositions could diminish Delhi University's global academic credibility. New academic programmes and structural reforms The university will introduce a two-year M.A. in Journalism, to be offered by both the Hindi and English departments. A BSc in Nuclear Medicine Technology will also be launched at the Army Hospital (R&R) under the Faculty of Medical Sciences, specifically for qualified Armed Forces Medical Services personnel. The EC also approved a uniform policy for determining teacher seniority—prioritising age when qualifications are equal, followed by Academic Performance Indicator (API) scores. EC member Aman Kumar told PTI that Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh has constituted a nine-member committee to examine a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) notification mandating periodic reviews of employees aged 50 and above, which may result in compulsory retirement. The panel will assess its impact on DU staff. NEP rollout and national alignment Registrar Vikas Gupta addressed queries around the new four-year undergraduate structure introduced under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He assured members that students will benefit from multiple exit and re-entry options, with official certifications at each stage. The meeting began with a tribute to the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. A resolution was passed expressing support for the Centre's counterterrorism initiative, Operation Sindoor. Academic autonomy in focus Despite the administration's emphasis on modernisation and national priorities, critics warned the curriculum overhaul could undermine the university's academic standing. 'These decisions may serve short-term political objectives, but they will harm Delhi University's long-term academic integrity,' Chakraborty said.
New Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'Mutilation of academic disciplines': DU Executive Council approves curriculum overhaul amid strong criticism
NEW DELHI: Delhi University's Executive Council in its 1275th meeting held on Friday approved sweeping revisions to the curriculum in various departments, including Psychology, Sociology and English, while also clearing new programs in journalism and nuclear medicine, uniform teacher seniority rules and administrative measures. The Executive Council (EC), the highest statutory body, approved revisions to the elective paper Psychology of Peace, replacing conflict-based case studies with references from the Indian epics for peace and conflict resolution. In Relationship Science, a unit examining dating apps was also dropped. Sociology curriculum changes removed foundational theorists like Karl Marx and Thomas Robert Malthus from the paper Population and Society and scrapped a unit on the Sociology of Food. Meanwhile, the Indian authors, particularly those focused on religion, were emphasized in the Sociology of Law. The meeting was, however, marked by strong dissent from several elected EC members over what they termed "ideological interference" and "systematic erosion of academic autonomy." Controversial syllabus changes include the removal of case studies involving Kashmir, Palestine, India-Pakistan tensions and the Northeast, replaced by the Indian religious texts such as the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘No place for Western ideas': DU committee axes topics on Israel-Palestine, Kashmir, and dating apps, stirs controversy
A recent meeting of the Standing Committee on Academic Matters at Delhi University has ignited a debate over academic freedom after certain key topics were allegedly removed from the proposed psychology syllabus , as reported by TOI. Topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict , the Kashmir issue , and the impact of dating apps on mental health were reportedly struck from the curriculum, sparking concern among faculty members about political interference. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India strikes hard! New Delhi bans all imports from Pakistan How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response If India attacks Pakistan, China & B'desh should seize 7 NE states, says Yunus' aide According to faculty members present at the meeting, the Chair of the committee, Prof Shri Prakash Singh, voiced objections to the inclusion of what he described as an "overrepresentation" of Western thought. As a result, Unit 4 of the 'Psychology of Peace' paper, which covered conflict resolution and included case studies on both the Israel-Palestine and Kashmir conflicts, was reportedly removed. 'Kashmir is resolved,' Prof Singh allegedly remarked as per a TOI report, adding, 'we don't need to teach Israel-Palestine.' Rejection of dating apps and diversity topics In addition to the controversial removal of conflict topics, the committee also rejected proposals to include the psychology of dating apps under the digital media section. This topic had been added to the syllabus in light of increasing concerns over suicides linked to the misuse of such platforms. Urmi Nanda Biswas, head of the psychology department, argued that understanding dating apps was vital for students, especially given their role in recent youth suicides. However, the committee chair dismissed the need to include this, stating that "our Indian family system is strong" and there was no need to adopt "Western ideas" in relation to dating culture. Live Events Another significant proposal that was struck down concerned the inclusion of the Minority Stress Theory and topics on caste discrimination , misogyny, and prejudice in Indian society. Despite some committee members arguing for the importance of teaching about these contemporary issues, Prof Singh reportedly dismissed these topics as overly negative. Concerns over academic autonomy and political interference Dr Monami Sinha, a member of both the Academic Council and the Standing Committee, raised concerns about the chair's influence on the syllabus. 'It is concerning that the autonomy of the department seems to be overlooked, as the chair's actions appear to be politically motivated and represent unwarranted interference in academic decision-making,' Dr Sinha commented. Her remarks underline broader concerns about academic freedom, with critics fearing that the syllabus is being shaped by external political pressures rather than academic merit. A new panel to rework the syllabus As a result of the controversy, a new panel has been formed to revisit the syllabus. The revised proposal will be presented again to the Standing Committee. The rejected Unit 4, titled 'Conflict and Conflict Resolution', aimed to offer students a psychological perspective on the nature of international and ethnic conflict. This included the psychological impacts of aggression and structural violence, with case studies on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Kashmir, and the India-Pakistan dispute, as well as tensions in India's Northeast, specifically Nagaland and Manipur. In addition, the department had proposed an elective titled Relationship Science (DSE), which aimed to delve into the psychology of love, attraction, and online relationships, including the use of dating apps. The department argued that this topic was important to help students foster healthy relationships in a rapidly changing social landscape. Another elective, Diversity and Inclusion at the Workplace (DSE 12), was also part of the proposal. This included frameworks like the Minority Stress Theory, widely used in understanding the mental health challenges faced by marginalised groups in professional environments. However, this too was rejected by the committee. The evolving psychological needs of India's youth Dr Sinha argued that these topics are crucial for understanding modern Indian society, especially in the context of the evolving psychological challenges faced by youth in the digital age. She highlighted the importance of addressing issues like caste discrimination, prejudice, and the mental health impacts of online relationships. 'Understanding the psychology of oppression and prejudice, as well as the evolving mass psychology of youth in the age of AI and online relationships, is crucial for the development of a comprehensive psychological framework,' Dr Sinha said. The controversy surrounding the syllabus proposal highlights a larger debate within India's educational system about the balance between tradition and modernity, and the role of academic institutions in addressing pressing societal issues.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Overrepresentation of Western ideas': No Kashmir, Palestine in DU psychology syllabus
NEW DELH: Several key topics, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, issue and suicides linked to dating apps, were allegedly removed from DU's psychology syllabus proposal during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Academic Matters held Friday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Faculty members present at the meeting claimed the chair of the committee, Prof Shri Prakash Singh, objected to what he called an "overrepresentation" of Western thought and insisted on replacing Unit 4 of the 'Psychology of Peace' paper. Panel to rework DU psychology syllabus, bring new proposal The paper covered the Israel-Palestine and Kashmir conflicts, with Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. According to them, he said 'Kashmir is resolved' and 'we don't need to teach Israel-Palestine'. Another proposal to include the psychology of dating apps under the digital media section was struck down by the committee chair, who argued that 'our Indian family system is strong' and there is no need to adopt 'Western ideas'. This was despite Urmi Nanda Biswas, head of department, psychology, arguing that understanding dating apps is vital in light of recent suicides linked to their misuse, the faculty members claimed. Other topics objected to include the Minority Stress Theory and the psychology of Diversity. While some committee members stressed the importance of teaching about caste discrimination, misogyny and prejudice in Indian society, they alleged the chair dismissed such topics as overly negative. There was no immediate response from Prof Singh. Biswas could not be reached for a comment. 'It is concerning that the autonomy of the department seems to be overlooked, as the chair's actions appear to be politically motivated and represent unwarranted interference in academic decision-making,' said Dr Monami Sinha, a member of the Academic Council and the Standing Committee. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sinha said a panel has now been formed to rework the syllabus and bring a new proposal before the Standing Committee. According to the proposal document, the paper Psychology of Peace (DSE 13) aimed to help students understand concepts and relevance of peace, analyse peace processes and models, and explore psychological perspectives and frameworks for peacebuilding. Unit 4, which the Chair allegedly insisted on removing, was titled 'Conflict and Conflict Resolution'. It proposed to cover topics like the nature of international and ethnic conflict, direct aggression and structural violence, and their psychological impact. It included case studies on Israel-Palestine, Kashmir, IndiaPakistan conflict and the Northeast, specifically Nagaland and Manipur. All the papers are discipline-specific electives (DSE) proposed by the department to be taught to students as supplementary knowledge to their main study. Another discipline-specific elective, titled 'Relationship Science', included a unit on 'love', with topics such as passionate and companionate love, Sternberg's triangular theory and Indian perspectives on love. Under this, the department had also proposed to teach about attraction, dating scripts and dating apps. The objective of the paper was to help students understand the science of close relationships and explore how to foster healthy ones. The proposal document also outlined a DSE paper titled 'Diversity and Inclusion at the Workplace' (DSE 12), which included teachings on the psychology of Diversity and the Minority Stress Theory — frameworks widely used in understanding the mental health and experiences of marginalised groups in the workplace. According to Sinha, these topics are vital to understanding contemporary Indian society and the psychology of marginalised communities. 'Understanding the psychology of oppression and prejudice, as well as the evolving mass psychology of youth in the age of AI and online relationships, is crucial for the development of a comprehensive psychological framework,' she said.
