Department of History

About Us:

The Department of History established in 1963 offers six units in History at the B.A. level and is an integral part of the institution. The Department has a UGC recognized Travel and Tourism Course offering Certificate and Diploma from 2004. The Department believes that History is an encompassing subject involving the study of economy, politics, society and culture and adopts an interdisciplinary approach. Emphasis is laid not only on narration of facts but also on analysis and application of the past knowledge to understand the present scenario.

Faculty Profile:

Prof. Kokila Joshi, Head. Superannuated, February 2006. M.A. (History) Recognized PG Teacher since 1974.Involved in the framing and revision of syllabus, delivering guidance lectures and as resource person. Member of Board of Studies (History) at the S.N.D.T University in 2002. Participated and presented papers at several seminars. Elected as Executive Council Member at the IHS, Kolkatta. Co-Authored a book titled ‘Women as a catalyst in early 19^th & 20^th Century- Western India’, Aug 2003.Guest Faculty at S.N.D.T Women’s Univeristy, Mumbai for the Research and PG Dept. of History, 2001-2002.

Dr. Chitra Sinha. M.A. M.Phil, Ph.D, Joined as Reader S.N.D.T University in Jan 2006.

Awarded Ph.D in History on ‘Hindu Code Bill (1941-1956) and Feminist Consciousness in Mumbai’, 2005.Involved in the framing and revision of syllabus, delivering guidance lectures and as resource person. Presented and Published Research Papers at several seminars. Received the ‘New India Fellowship’ for writing a book on ‘Hindu Code Bill and the shaping of Modern India’.  Visiting Researcher at University of California, Los Angeles, 2004.

Prof. Meher Mistry, Lecturer, joined in 2006. M.A. (History) NET, SET, B.A (Hons.). University rank holder at B.A and M.A, Recipient of various awards and scholarships. Pursuing Ph.D. Awarded the U.G.C. JRF/SRF (2000-2005), Gulestan Billimoria Fellowship (2000) and  K. R. Cama Oriental Junior Fellowship (1998).Connected with Sanjan - Bahrot, Project (2002-2005) and UNESCO PARZOR Project (2001-2002). Research assistant for book titled ‘From The Iranian plateau to the Shores of Gujarat- The story of Parsi Settlements and Absorption in India’ by Dr.Mani Kamerkar et al.Published an article in Journal of K. R. Cama Oriental Institute no. 65.Presented papers and participated at several  seminars and  delivered guidance lectures.

Prof. Anagha Kamble, Lecturer, joined in 2006. M.A.(History),NET, SET, Top rank holder at B.A (History) and M.A (History) Examination. Recipient of several awards and scholarships. Presently pursuing Ph.D. Awarded the prestigious UGC sponsored Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship 2006-2007. Presented and participated in several seminars and delivered lectures as a resource person. Has two articles published. Associated with the Dept. of History, University of Mumbai and has been part of their organizing team for several Seminars.

Student profile:

 Entry level competencies, socio-economic status, language, proficiency.

Majority of students hail from the vernacular medium and generally belong to a lower socio-economic background. Many of them are working part-time and are first generation learners completing graduation.

Changes made in the Course or Programme during the past two years and the contribution of the faculty to those changes:

The previous faculty was part of the syllabus committees and was involved as resource persons in workshops connected with syllabus change both graduate and post-graduate level. The faculty has designed the curriculum of the UGC recognized Career Oriented Add-On Travel & Tourism Course. The current faculty has designed the Certificate of Excellence Programme in 2007 to motivate the advanced learners to hone their analytical skills, enhance their historical knowledge and develop their personality.

Trends in the success and drop out rates of students during the past two years:

The students have been showing a gradual progress in their results. There has been a considerable improvement in their performance as compared to their S.S.C and H.S.C results. The drop out rate is minimal with most students appearing and clearing their degree exams. The success rates of the students has been 90%.

Learning resources of the departments:

The Department is well equipped with a library which houses around 75 books on History. The Central Library too has a huge collection of books on History. The faculty and students have easy access to computers which is shared with the college. It has recently developed a collection of DVDS/CDS of historical importance. The department has a good collection of some rare maps. It regularly uses the LCD projector in the Seminar room. It is also equipped with a personal mike for better lecture delivery.

Modern Teaching Methods practiced and use of ICT in teaching-learning:

The Faculty constantly endeavours to introduce innovativeness and promotes the use of ICT. While notes are supplied to facilitate slow-learners, advanced learners are encouraged towards self-study and making PPT presentations. Team learning method is also adopted. Students are encouraged to learn from their peers during the annual inter-collegiate student’s seminar. To better comprehend key events of history screening of films, exhibitions, and field trips are organized. Value based teaching is imparted by organizing events on the themes of truth and non-violence, war and peace. There is a concrete effort to instill values against gender and race discrimination. The department organized a State level Seminar on ‘Issues of Migration’. Eminent academicians are regularly invited to deliver lectures. The department invites in-house faculty for guest lectures for certain interdisciplinary areas. A Workshop on ‘Appreciation and Making of Cinema’ was organized in 2004. Event Management Skills are rendered to the students during the organization of the activities of the History Association. The departmental library is managed by the students.

Participation of Teachers in academic and personal counselling of students:

The student teacher ratio being 1: 14 the faculty is able to devote personal attention to the problems of the students. The department organizes an annual parent-teacher meeting to discuss and guide the progress of the students. Career counselling is provided and the faculty updates the students as well as alumni on recent career opportunities. The faculty are regularly invited to deliver academic and career guidance lectures.

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

The faculty constantly strives to enrich themselves by participating and presenting papers at several states, national and international conferences in and outside Mumbai. They have also been attending in-house faculty development workshops conducted by the Principal.

Participation / Contribution of teachers to the academic activities including teaching, consultancy and research.

Besides regular teaching, the faculty co-ordinates and teaches the U.G.C sponsored Travel & Tourism Course and is visiting faculty at other institutes for the same. The faculty has been associated as research fellows and has been part of several national and international research projects. Besides the faculty is also part of several in-house committees.

Collaboration with other departments/institutions at the State/ National/ International Seminars and their outcome during the past 2 years:

 The faculty has been associated with the organization of National and International seminars of the Dept. of History University of Mumbai, S.N.D.T University, Institute of Historical Studies, Kolkatta and of other colleges.

Priority areas for Research and details of the ongoing projects, important and noteworthy publications of the faculty, during past two years:

The faculty members are pursuing their doctoral degrees. Prof. Meher Mistry has been doing research on history of Parsi settlements. Prof Anagha Kamble has been working on Indo-U.S relations.

Placement Record of past students and the contribution of the department to aid student placements:

Our Students are placed in diverse sectors like banking, insurance, travel, teaching, hospitality, retails marketing and the BPO industry. The faculty has been coordinating with Placement Cell by motivating their students to appear for campus interviews.