Options galore, thanks to AUD

Offering respite to students from the demands of an honours course, the Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) has introduced five undergraduate courses this year.

Offering respite to students from the demands of an honours course, the Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD) has introduced five undergraduate courses this year.

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All these courses are based on a novel concept that allows the students to study their major subjects only in the third semester. “Until then, they will study the basic foundation courses in English and Social Science. It will help reduce the pressure on students and will also give them a chance to choose the major subjects wisely,” said Professor Shyam Menon, vice-chancellor, AUD.

During the first two semesters, all undergraduate students will study the same subjects. After they make their choice, they will proceed to a major in Economics, Psychology or History.

All courses will have papers touching upon the Indian society, constitution and citizenship.

The undergraduate programmes — BA (Honours) with major in Economics, BA (Honours) with major in Psychology, BA (Honours) with major in History and BA (Honours) Social Sciences and Humanities — will follow the semester system.

The university is also offering a four-year BA (Honours) with dual major. “In a dual major, a student can graduate with a BA (Honours) in Economics and History. This way, he/she will learn two subjects in four years,” said Menon.

The marking will be on the basis of credits. One semester will account for 16 credits. AUD will be the first central or state university to implement the flexible mode of learning.

“This mode of teaching is applicable now as the university is in a nascent stage,” said Menon.

The forms will be available from June 28 till July 15. The last date of submission is also July 15. The session will start on August 1.

The university is currently located at Dwarka, Sector 9. The new campus is being set up at Kashmere Gate and will be functional by August next year.

To give students an opportunity to hone vocational skills, the university will also offer career-oriented short-term courses in editing, publishing, tourism and teaching.

The university also aims to follow the system of continuous evaluation. “We are looking at a structure that will take into account only 50 per cent of the semester-end examination.

The rest of the marks will be distributed on the basis of projects and performance throughout the year,” Menon said. The university will also offer special English language courses to help students get comfortable with the language. This year, AUD is offering 120 seats in the undergraduate programme.