Department of Geography

About Us:

Geography is a multidisciplinary subject and therefore improves the understanding of the students about the region, nation and the world. The credit goes to the institution for offering Geography as one of the optional subject at the entry level of the degree course. The syllabi as prescribed by the Board of studies address the needs of the society and have relevance to regional, national and global trends. This knowledge base is helpful for the specializations in Economics, Sociology and other subjects opted by the students in the third year and also for competitive exams after graduation. In fact, it’s a unique characteristic of the R. J. College that the Institution offers an opportunity to learn the combination of spatial and non-spatial subjects and thus improves the quality of undergraduate courses offered in the Arts faculty. Department handles efficiently the responsibility of teaching Geography in Arts faculty, environmental studies in commerce and faculty also shares the responsibility of teaching Foundation Course, in Arts, Science and Commerce, with other departments.

Faculty profile:

There are two members in the department and both are effectively contributing to the teaching –learning process at the undergraduate level.

Dr. Kamalini Bandekar:MA, Ph D; NET. Reader, In charge of the Department of Geography,Chairperson of the Geography Association and Geo Club of College. Recognised PG teacher.

Dr. Baishakhi Dutta: M Sc, Ph D. National Merit scholar Recognised PG teacher.Completed a minor research project funded by University of Mumbai, in 2005. Attended many national and international conferences and published research articles.

Student profile:

Student community is heterogeneous in terms of knowledge and income. The majority however, is from lower middle income families and mostly first generation learners. Students hesitate to interact with teachers due to low language proficiency.

Modern Teaching Methods Practiced and Use of ICT in Teaching-Learning:

Department has always believed in student centric teaching. Apart from the regular lecture method, many innovative practices are incorporated in the teaching-learning process such as synopsis, question-answer sessions, paper clipping charts, group discussion, debates, personality IQ tests, power point presentations, audio-visual aids, etc.

Teachers develop course material and also explain the methods of learning. Apart from classroom interaction, the activities organized by the department through Geo Club are also innovative teaching methods, e.g. Geo Quiz, Workshops, Awareness Campaigns, Skits, Poster Competitions, Power Point Presentations, Field Trip, etc. Thus, the department is effectively using interactive methods, project-based learning, computer assisted learning and also experimental learning through field trips.

Participation of Teachers in Academic and Personal Counselling of  Students:

Teachers interact with the students to solve their queries, related to the understanding of the topics and also their curiosity related to environmental and geographical issues like Global Warming, Non-Conventional Resources, Hot-Springs, etc.

Academic counselling includes guidance for competitive exams, remote sensing, etc.

Besides teaching them in the class, the students are always permitted to interact with the teachers outside their classes during college hours. Students who are above average and interested are always inspired to do better and are provided with all the information and the reference books and materials. Students who cannot cope up with the learning materials are given extra time by the teachers. Apart from the teaching-learning process, personal problems are also tackled if the students approach the teachers. Personal counselling is however, restricted to simple problems/issues.

Details of Faculty Development programmes:

·         Contribution of teachers to the academic activities like Teaching and research

·         Priority areas for research and details of ongoing projects, publications of the faculty