Monday, March 21, 2011

Semester row stirs debate in English dept

New Delhi: The Post Graduate Committee of Courses (Honours) English rejected the semester system; on the other hand the Under Graduate Committee for BA (Programme) accepted it on Saturday. And thus it is set to go in different directions, it seems.

As many as 11 out of the 16 members rejected semesterisation in the honours course and nine out of 10 members passed it in BA (Programme).

A large number of serious academic arguments have been made against semesterisation to which there have not been any satisfactory responses by the university. In the light of the above, they feel that it will be unviable to introduce the semester system in undergraduate BA English (Honours), the resolution against passing the semester system said.
On the other hand, the committee for the BA Programme course accepted the semesterisation but on the condition that the university administration forms sub committees for the revision of the syllabus.

Members of the committee for the honours course also passed a resolution in the same meeting urging the university to initiate processes of consultation with the undergraduate teachers and arrive at a consensus on the pedagogic and academic aspects of the proposal.

University authorities, meanwhile, stated that the decision would be counter productive for honours students.
The general body meeting of the English department had earlier rejected the semester system by a large majority where out of 175 teachers only 12 had given their approval.

Vivek Suneja, pro-vice-chancellor, Delhi University said that it is unfortunate that honours students cannot accrue the advantages of the semester system. Students of BA (Programme) will have the advantage of studying in a forward looking system.

The members of the committee for the honours course also passed a resolution against the instruction of the registrar that demanded the names of the people who voted for or against the resolution.
Calling the action unconstitutional, the resolution stated that the committee feels that this new practice hampers free discussion and decision making on vital academic matters.

Earlier, teachers from various colleges were refused entry to the Faculty of Arts building where the meeting was taking place.

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