Courses in this section: Contemporary India, Public Administration, Short Film and Video Production, Copywriting, Main Currents of Modern History, Post-Colonial Literature

Contemporary India

This course, taken by Dr Harikrishnan Nair, talks about the various events and factors that led to the development of India as it is now. It places emphasis on the events that occurred from the ’80s to now, with mentions of pre-’80s events that affected its condition then. The course is very multidisciplinary in nature, covering geography, economics, polity and foreign policy. 

Dr Nair is a great instructor and is very flow-dependant. However, this course is more modular in nature, with each module not depending on the others. The evaluation, which is the same across all his courses, consists of three parts: a mid-semester exam, a comprehensive exam, and a self-study assignment (SSA). The mid-semester and comprehensive exams are written and closed-book, while the SSA is continuous and spans across the semester. The grading is relaxed and a B- is awarded at an average score.  The course is usually open to all PR numbers.

Public Administration

This course primarily focuses on the different approaches to Public Administration. One would study the evolution of public administration along with numerous theories introduced by various personalities that deal with the understanding of public administration.

For the previous batches, the evaluation consisted of four components. There was a quiz (10%), one assignment and a group presentation (20%), and midsemester (30%) and comprehensive (40%) examinations. The midsemester and comprehensive exams were both subjective. The students’ answers were judged based on their ability to present the answers with proper examples and understanding. The grading has been described as moderate. Usually, one can get a B grade at an average score. The average seems to be around 55% of the total. The required PR number for this course closed at around 550 in the past.

Short Film and Video Production

This course, taken by Professor Sushila Shekhawat, explores video production and filming techniques. It is a very hands-on course and will require students to practice all the techniques taught in the classroom. According to the course structures of the previous years, assignments held a 55% weightage in the final grade. Course assignments include script writing, photography assignments, film analysis, and making short films and documentaries. The course does not require a textbook, and slides aren’t always provided, which makes it almost essential to attend the lectures. Overall, it is a competitive course, as only a small percentage of the students who take it are awarded an A grade. The course is usually open to all PR numbers.

Copywriting

This course prepares students to write and develop an advertisement copy for various media while selecting tone(s), style(s), and approach(es) for the same. The course begins by introducing the concepts of copywriting and advertising. The curriculum enables the students to write creative copies for saleable ideas while exposing them to various copy practices in different media.

The course difficulty is said to be fairly straightforward. Notably, it is one of the few HuEls worth two units. The grading for the course is moderate with a B- being awarded at an average score. An A grade is awarded at around av+20–25. The evaluation consists of the mid-semester and comprehensive examinations, along with two assignments.

Main Currents of Modern History

The course, taught by Dr. Harikrishnan G Nair, covers major events that occurred during the Modern Era from the 15th to 18th century. Various aspects, such as the scientific revolution and the evolution of economic systems, are discussed. 

The course references several textbooks and readings for different topics. It is described as heavily text-based and requires a thorough understanding of the prescribed material. There are three evaluative components — the mid-semester and comprehensive examinations, and a self-study assignment on a topic from the course. A grade of B- is awarded on average. Attendance is not mandatory but advisable, as interaction and participation in class discussions are beneficial in understanding the material. Registration is available across all PR numbers.

Post-Colonial Literature

This course unravels intricate narratives that echo the enduring impacts of colonialism on southern–Asian societies. From the poignant works of Rushdie to the evocative prose of Arundhati Roy, students will delve into works of literature that examine the complex tapestry of post-colonial India.

The course — taught by Dr Prateek — is relatively new. Due to its newborn nature, registration is expected to remain open at all PR numbers as most students would enrol based on interest. Grading should be relatively lenient, but one must be willing to develop a deep interest to be determined to aim for an A grade. Attending classes should aid in the same through valuable interactions.