Humanities and Social Sciences

About us

The department is committed to promoting value-oriented learning, awareness of the contemporary society, respect for diversity, appreciation of various fine arts and literary genres, and employability skills among students.

We offer courses in areas related to Literature, Language Studies, Cinema, Media, Theatre Arts, Sociology, Public Policy and Development Studies. In our ten-member team, eight are Ph.D. holders in their respective domains. We help students improve their English language skills and prepare them for placements.

Program

1) PhD

The HSS department has dedicated full-time PHD scholars with a diverse area of interests: English Language and Literature, Media and Film Studies, Comparative Literature, Postcolonial literature, Urban Sociology, Philosophy,Gender Studies, Development Studies, Governance, Natural Resources Management (Water/Forest), Public Policy.

2) Minor in Public Policy

The Department of HSS offers a minor in Public Policy for further details Please Click here.

3) Elective courses

Dynamics of Social Change
Public Policy
Introduction to Globalization
Public Administration
International Relations
Modern Political Concepts
Srimad Bhagavad Gita
Technical Communication
Business Communication
Technical Report Writing
Effective Public Speaking
Creative Writing
Introduction to Mass Communication
Critical Analysis of Literature and Cinema
Comparative Indian Literature
Popular Literature & Culture of South Asia
Advanced Communicative English
Phonetics and Spoken English
Introduction to Development Studies
Introduction to Gender Studies
Introductory Philosophy
Development Economics
Contemporary India
Social and Political Ecology
Urban Policy and Governance
Local Governance and Participation
Disaster and Development
Cultural Studies
Introduction to Phonology
Introduction to Linguistics
Literary Criticism
Science Technology and Modernity
Philosophy of Nagarjuna
Postcolonial Literature
Humanistic Theories of Science and Technology
Introduction to Critical Pedagogy
Development Theory

Faculty

Our faculty have extensive experience in industry, research as well as teaching. Our strength is a reflection of their skills, innovation and drive. Click Here for faculty personal pages.

Facilities

Language Laboratory :

Department of Languages has procured a new software for the language lab named Orell Digital Language Lab (ODLL). It offers cutting edge software solutions and delivers a truly state- of-the-art Language teaching–learning solutions integrating both the two–way communication and incognito individual student monitoring. Thus, it is a value addition to the Department of Languages. Several VCDs / DVDs also have been procured for enabling the students to get intense practice for enhancing their skills.

Activities

We regularly conduct guest lectures by experts in various fields. Previous visitors include Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor Michael Wutz, Dr. Balamukund Pandey, National Secretary of All India Historical Collection Project, M. Somasekhar, a Senior Deputy Editor and the Chief of Bureau of The Hindu Business Line and Dr Vijay Walia, the Director and Founder of Achievers League.

We support an annual literary event – Verba Maximus – organised by English Languages Activity Society (ELAS). The events are held under two categories: Speaking and Writing. The speaking events include JAM, debate and GD. Poetry, story-writing and script-writing comprise the Writing events. Also, there are literary quiz, treasure hunt and a lot of informal events like scrabble, hangman, etc. Our Spell Bee is being endorsed by the Indian Spell Bee, giving it a very high standard. During Verba Maximus, students get an opportunity to interact with famous literary personalities. Last time, students met celebrity writer Amish Tripathi and stand-up comedian Sorabh Pant.

The department plans to conduct, at regular intervals, writing and research methodology workshops and conferences related to broad areas of Humanities and Social Sciences.

NOTICE

Ph.D. Admissions (II Semester 2020-21)

Click here for more details

Click here for Poster

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Current JRF/SRF & Other Openings

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Talk by Aalok Khandekar, Assistant Professor IIT Hyderabad on the topic

"AIR POLLUTION GOVERNANCE IN 6+ CITIES: FINDINGS, THEORY, TACTICS"

Click here for details

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Talk by Prof. Purendra Prashad on Contemporary Indian Cities and `Smart' Growth Models: Some Reflections

Click here for details

Events

Past Events - Workshops and Conferences

1. THE OTHER HALF OF THE PINK REVOLUTION; KOLI WOMEN, LABOUR AND POLITICS IN THE FISHERIES OF MUMBAI- By Gayatri Nair

2. UNDERSTANDING THE CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS OF THE INDIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM: By Siddharth Chauhan

3. “TRANSNATIONAL COMMERCIAL SURROGACY AND THE (UN)MAKING OF KIN IN INDIA”, by Dr. Anindita Majumdar.

4. Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, in association with British Council, organized a session by Mr Nicholas Toczeck, the famous British writer and performer working variously as poet, journalist, magician, vocalist, lyricist and radio broadcaster on Friday, November 11, 2016.

5. Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, in association with British Council, organized the screening of Othello, the BBC adaption of the famous Shakespearean classic on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

6. Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, in association with ELT@I Hyderabad Chapter, organized a two-day international workshop - International Workshop on ELT in the Classroom: Professional and Academic Perspectives - during April 30 - May 1, 2016.

BITS Pilani