Department of Philosophy

About Us:

The Department was established in 1963. Philosophy means love of wisdom. Wisdom is a much wider concept than knowledge. Apart from this the study of Logic helps in rational analysis.  This brings students closer to the truth.  Philosophy also inculcates human values through ethics. Therefore “Philosophy” is a special subject and is rightly known as “Mother of all Subjects.”

      The department was granted permanent recognition for admitting students for M.A(by papers), M.Phil and PhD in 1993.  Our ex-head Dr.(Ms.) Kokila H. Shah is guiding the research students.  She has successfully guided 5 students for Ph.D. Currently 3 students have registered for M.Phil and 5 for Ph.D.

Faculty Profile:

There are two full-time members on the faculty, of whom one is doctorate and one is pursuing doctoral degree.  The Head of the department is invited as member of syllabus Committee and the department contributes significantly to curriculum development and implementation.

The department has maintained high academic records with an average success rate of 95% at UG level.  The department has also produced rank holder at the University Examination.  The faculty has largely contributed to the success of department.

Dr. Amita K. Valmiki ,  HOD (Reader ,Selection grade, joined on 8/9/1988). M A, Ph D. Recognised PG teacher

Mrs Rina Pitale, Lecturer Joined on 1/9/2006. MA, NET, SET

Student Profile: Majority of students are from vernacular medium. Attempts are made to motivate students and encourage them to improve their quality of life via value based education (which gives some meaning, some direction to life and self-evolved authority for guidance.)  We try to develop their various skills, talents and abilities present in them.  The goal is to encourage students and groom to develop their personality.

Trends in Success and drop out rates:

The department results are consistently very good above 95%. In 2007 one student stood second in the order of merit and two of them scored 100% marks in one paper. The drop out rates is negligible.

 Mrs Geeta Vishwakarma stood second in the order of merit among the TYBA Philosophy students and scored 100% marks in Logic.

Learning resources of the departments – Library, computers and other resources like field trips:

The strength of the department is the excellent faculty and due to their efforts and foresight the department has strengthened its learning resources. The department of philosophy has a good collection of text, reference books and encyclopedia. In addition to the main library there is a departmental library catering to the students of UG level.   Internet access is available freely to the students and is mainly used by them for project work, seminar and for collection of information.

Modern Teaching methods practiced like ICT in teaching-Learning process:

We strongly believe that learning is a two way process. Interaction is more important for effective communication. There is total involvement of students. The various methods adopted for effective teaching learning processes are descriptive - analysis and synthetics, discussions, dialogues, debates and questionnaires.

Of these the dialogue method has been used since times immemorial by philosophers. A suitable modification of this method used in the class sharpens the thinking process of students.

In addition to this to enhance academic excellence various other techniques are used such as live demonstration for yoga, storytelling, quiz and game based on philosophy, Power Point presentation are widely used.

The students participate in solving problems in Logic on the board. The students are advised to read journals and periodicals to keep abreast of current happenings in the field of philosophy.  In short efforts are made to encourage students and to make subject effective and interesting.

The department conducts session on career counselling, personality development and empowering them to know the basics of philosophy are some of the highlights of the session.

The students actively participate in field trips.  Students organize these tours with the help of teachers.  These educational tours help them in learning organizational skills, team building, team behaviour and implementing values in the life, and they also learn how to over come stress and tension through these tours.

Innovative teaching methods include quiz, value based education (which gives some meaning, some direction & self evolved authority for guidance).

Teaching also involves developing skills in correlation of information and applying them for practical purpose.  Both the faculty members work as a team. They discuss and develop teaching techniques for the students, whenever needed new techniques.

The department has practice of obtaining feedback not only about teachers’ performance but also for events conducted by the department.

Participation of teachers in academic and personal counselling of students:

The student profile provides enough information about the academic, socio-economic status of the students; each faculty member mentors four to five students. The slow learners are guided by both the teachers and advance learners are provided challenging reading material, more papers are set for solving. The faculty members are available for the major part of the day.

There is excellent rapport between the students and the teachers. As a result they approach us freely whenever needed both for personal counselling and academic needs. The cases which need special attention are also advised to meet the counsellor of the College, so that they would get better guidance.

Participation/contribution of teachers to the academic activities including teaching, consultancy and research:

Besides teaching both faculty members take active part in the association functions.  The philosophy association conducts various activities and competitions like exclusive Philo-Quiz, Poster-Competition, Essay writing, Debates etc., throughout the year for overall progress and development of the students.  It also organizes various guest lectures on various issues like morality based.  We invite eminent personality for these lectures like Dr. R.M. Dave, Director, Ananthacarya Indological Research Centre; Dr. Uma Shankar (HOD, Philosophy SIES College) etc.  In 2002-2003 the department conducted a Certificate Course in Jainology for benefit of society.

The students are encouraged to participate in intra-collegiate and inter-collegiate events.

Details of faculty development programmes and of the teachers who benefited during the past two years:

Teachers of the department are encouraged to attend and present  papers at National and State Seminars and also participate in the workshops. They are also members of professional bodies and are invited as resource persons.

Placement record of the past students and the contribution of the department to aid student placements: Students are guided about the various career opportunities available after graduation. Some of them join post graduate course. They have been employed as teachers, join corporate world in administration.