SYLLABUS FOR THE POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNAL HARMONY AND SOCIAL PEACE OF PUNE UNIVERSITY

Preamble
Peace in individual minds and peace in society are indispensable factors for social development
and Progress. The last century has seen more bloodshed and destruction of life and property
due to communal disharmony, sectarian strife, political terrorism, religious fundamentalism,
etc. The diversity in Indian culture and the people’s socio-economic conditions make Indian
society a convenient backyard for communal riots and sectarian strife. Such events can be
traced to the time of British rule as well during the post-independence era. In modern time
regional strife has had its ramifications in the form of cross-national and cross continental
terrorism in different parts of the world.
Dr. R.T.Rathod I.P.S. (Special Inspector General and Joint Commissioner of Police, Thane) had
given certain suggestions to the Government at the central and state levels after researching the
causes and effects of communal riots in various parts of the country. (University of Pune has
conferred the degree of Ph.D. on him for his thesis; he has also been awarded the D. Litt

Degree by International University of Contemporary Studies, Washington, DC). The central
government has accepted some of these suggestions and recommended to the state government
to implement them. This diploma course is an outcome of the recommendation.
Indian society is very rich in its ethnic, religious, social and cultural order in term of the fabric
it encompasses and the diversity is displays. In times of national calamities and external
aggression it has shown its power of resilience to come together as one monolith to destroy the
enemy and overcome its tragedies. The sense of unity and oneness of Indian mind has been
visible when needed. This diploma course aims to take a look at:
-the nature of Indian society,
-the philosophical/ideological principles behind its social structure,
-the factors that have caused or contributed to communal riots and social violence;
-their impact on individual and social life, on trade, industry and workers,
-the observations and suggestions of some of the commissions of inquiry,
-the legal provisions and governmental schemes.
The course aims to explore a philosophical and functional framework to prevent communal
riots and social strife. The innovative schemes and programmes implemented to prevent
communal riots in communally hypersensitive areas have shown excellent results in yielding
communal harmony. A rational philosophical perspective into the issue could help in reducing
communal flare-ups and promote national integration.
The state government has been requested to give preference, other things being equal,
to candidates who have completed this course in the recruitment to the civil and police
services.
E:\Syllabus\FACULT~1\POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNAL HARMONY AND SOGAL PEACE.doc.N.
Rules, Regulations and Syllabus for the Postgraduate diploma Course in the
Philosophy of Communal harmony and Social peace.
Title of the course:
Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy of Communal Harmony and Social Peace.
Eligibility:
Graduate from any discipline.
Duration of the Course:
One Year- Part time basis.
160 Lectures (6 to 8 Lectures of 60 minutes each per week.)
Fee Structure:
As Per Pune University rules.
Teachers Qualifications:
Departmental staff and guest-faculty drawn from affiliated colleges/Universities
(viz. TMV, Karve Institute, Colleges of Social Work and Education), officials
and intellectuals from a cross-section of religious/social institutions, police and
administrative officers, lawyers and judges, sociologists, psychologists,
journalists, activists, business-leaders, etc.
Intake Capacity:
50-60 Students.
Scheme of Papers:
Paper I (Indian Society and Social reform)
100 Marks (4 credits)
Paper II (Contemporary Indian society and the concept of peace)
100 Marks (4 credits)
Paper III (Critique of Communal Violence)
100 Marks (4 credits)
Paper IV (Communal Harmony and Peace: Conceptual and practical aspects)
100 Marks (4 credits)
Paper V (Dissertation)
200 Marks (8 credits)
Minimum Number of Marks for Passing
40 % Marks in each paper.
E:\Syllabus\FACULT~1\POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNAL HARMONY AND SOGAL PEACE.doc.N.
Examination Pattern.
For each paper there will be 20 marks for internal assessment in which the
student has to give one assignment or seminar or test as decided by the course
coordinator. The final examination for theory papers I to IV will be for 80 marks each.
The theory question papers will consist of four questions (with the possibility of
internal options) covering each credit and all the questions will be compulsory.
One dissertation of 200 marks.
The dissertation has to be completed under the guidance of a teacher who is
recognized by the University of Pune or Ph. D. guide or a recognized PG
teacher of University of Pune in any of the subjects/disciplines related to the
course. The list of guides for the dissertation will be prepared by the University
Department of Philosophy and not more than five students will register under a
single guide.
The work on the dissertation will be scheduled as under.
Selection of topic and assignment of guide. : By 15th September
Submission of the dissertation to the Department. : Before 10th March
Presentation (Seminar and Viva-voce) and assessment of the dissertation. :
12th to 30th March
Out of the total 200 marks for dissertation100 marks are meant for the written
script of the dissertation and 100 marks are meant for the seminar and the vivavoce
the student gives on the dissertation. Guide will be the examiner for the
written dissertation. The guide and one more expert nominated by coordinator
in consultation with the guide will be the examiners for the seminar and viva.
Marks will be converted into grades and finally the student will be awarded a
grade for each paper and a consolidated grade against the percentage of marks
as per the following scale:
Marks Grade
100 to 75 O : Outstanding
74 to 65 A : Very Good
64 to 55 B : Good
54 to 50 C : Average
49 to 45 D : Satisfactory
44 to 40 E : Pass
39 to 0 F : Fail
Payment for Resource Persons
Honorarium: Rs. 175/- per lecture of 60 minutes.
Rs. 200/- for evaluation per dissertation.
Or as per the University rules.
E:\Syllabus\FACULT~1\POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNAL HARMONY AND SOGAL PEACE.doc.N.
Course Content
(Note: For each theory paper total no. of lectures will be 40 to 45 and no. of lectures per
credit will be 10 to 12.)
Paper I: Indian Society and Social Reform
Credit 1. Social Reality: Caste, Clan, Community and Gender.
Credit 2. Indian Society: a Multi-religion and multicultural Society.
Credit 3. The Secular Philosophical heritage of Indian culture:
a) The significance and consequence of Sufism and Bhakti Movement (medieval
time).
b) The philosophy of social reform (modern time) - the contributions of Gandhiji,
Dr. Ambedkar, Pandita Ramabai and Mahatma Phule.
Credit 4. Education and Empowerment
The contributions of Rammohan Roy, Vivekanand, Rabindranath Tagore, Vinoba Bhave,
Sane Guruji, J. Krishnamurthy, Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule and Dr. Ambedkar.
Paper II: Contemporary Indian society and the concept of Peace
Credit 1. Ethos of a globalized society (Modernization, scientism, individuation, competition
and professionalism) – the role of the bureaucracy- cultural lag- paradigm shifts in education,
occupation, entertainment and value systems- the break down of social and inter-personal
relations.
Credit 2. Citizenship beyond religious framework: Philosophy of human rights- Facets of
multi-citizenship, Cosmopolitanism Inter-faith dialogue as a medium for informed public
opinion, Science, Technology and Culture. The idea of global Village.
Credit 3. a) An analysis of the concept of ‘peace’ in the Individual and peace in societypersonality
c) Causes of social strife (economic, political, religious, social) –fundamentalism and
terrorism
Credit 4. Peace: its Philosophical and religious dimensions- peace as an indispensable
criterion of Social development and progress.
E:\Syllabus\FACULT~1\POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNAL HARMONY AND SOGAL PEACE.doc.N.
Paper III: Critique of Communal Violence
Credit 1. An analysis of Communal riots in India and abroad- A representative study
since Independence- Ethnic travails and religious intolerance- Communal riots, violence and
Terrorism as an outcome of communalism
Credit 2. A critical overview of major riots and social strife in India and abroad:
i) Mumbai (1993) / Bhiwandi & Kalyan / Malegoan / Gujarat (2002) / Delhi
(1984) / Bhagalpur (mid-eighties) / North-East
ii) USA (9/11; African Americans vs white) / UK (Bomb blasts) of
2005;whites vs. Asians lrish vs. English / Russia-Chechenya / Israel-alestine
/ Srilaka (Terrell) Singhalese) / Shia-Sunni
(Tran Iraq, Pakistan)
Credit 3. Impact of communal violence on (a) Individual and social psyche
b) The common person including children, destitute, mentally and
physically challenged, the old and the infirm.
c) Private and public property.
Credit 4. Impact of communal violence on (a) Government and essential services.
b) Business and industry.
c) Police personnel and the justice-delivery system.
Paper IV- Communal Harmony and Peace: conceptual and practical
aspects.
Credit 1. The humanistic philosophy and principles of religion: Judaism, Christianity,
Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Jainism, Islam and Sikhism- Sarva-dharma-sama-bhava- Major
Indian Festivals: their nature and significance.
Credit 2. Peace promoting idealism: a) Secularism
b) Egalitarianism and Social justice
c) Unity in diversity
Credit 3. The observations and suggestions of various commissions of inquiry.
Credit 4. Constitutional and legal provisions in force – The Communal Violence
(Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of victims) Act/Bill, 2005.
E:\Syllabus\FACULT~1\POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNAL HARMONY AND SOGAL PEACE.doc.N.
List of Books for reading and reference
1. The Indian Village Community – Baden Powell, BH.
2. History of Caste in India_ S.V. Ketkar.
3. Caste and Social Reality- Arvind Dass and Sita Deukar.
4. Philosophy of Religion- AR Mohapatra.
5. Comparative Study of Religion- Yakub Masih.
6. Indian Religions- Jaico Publications.
7. Philosophy of Religion-RJ Weinberg.
8. Communal Violence in Post- independent India- Written/Ed. Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer.
9. Communalism and Communal Violence – Written/Ed. Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer.
10. Education – Essays on Education with commentaries: Part I –The Mother (Sri
Aurobindo Ashram, Pondichery).
11. Delhi- Meerut Riots, Written /Ed. Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer.
12. Contemporary Indian Philosophy –Basant Kumar Lal.
13. Vision and a Mission for the third Millenniums – Swami Sachidananda Bharathi.
(Dharma Bharathi Foundation – National regeneration Movement the Second Freedom
Struggle for the economic, Social and moral freedom of the India as envisaged by
Mahatma Gandhi)
14. Police involvement with public in communal harmony and national integration- Dr. RT
Rathod. IPS, (Ph.D. thesis).
15. Communal Harmony to prevent communal riots and violence – Dr. RT Rathod, IPS, (D.
Litt. thesis).
16. A Manual of Ethics – JN Sinha (New Central Book Agency, Kolkata) (Chapters. XVIGandhi:
Ethics of Ahimsa; XXVI- Individual and society; XXXVII- Indian Ethics)
17. The Use of Philosophy –HP Rickman (Routledge and Kegan Paul).
18. The World’s Greatest Seers and Philosophies- Clifford Sawhney (Pustak Mahal, N.
Delhi).
19. Integration to Religion and Philosophy – Dr. W. Earl Biddle (Coollier Books, N. York).
20. An Introduction to Equality of Religions- Dr. NC Gupta (Mohit Publication, N. Delhi).
21. Religions in Modern Society: Puzzling Issues- D.R. Jatava (National Publishing House,
N. Delhi).
22. Communalism and Secularism in Indian Politics _ Sunil Kumar (chapters 1 and 9)
(Rawat Publication, Jaipur/N.Delhi).
23. Social Relevance of Philosophy (Chapters 2,4,5,11,13,18,21,22) – Ed. P. George Victor
(DK Printworld private Ltd. N. Delhi).
24. India’s Religions - Ed. TN Madan (OUP) (Introduction: Indian Religions: Plurality and
Pluralism, pp.l-36; Chapters 5 & 6, pp.263-382; Epilogue, pp.383-409).
25. Religious Situation in the Present Day World – Ed. Taran Singh (Punjabi University.
Patiala- Seminar papers).
26. Religion and Society in India – AB Shah (Somaiya Publication).
27. Right to Freedom of Religion: A Study in Indian Secularism – Kanan Gahrana (South
Asian Publications, N. Delhi).
28. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s- Writings and Speeches (Govt. Publication)