Need for Liberal Arts Education In India
Liberal arts education offers a range of exposure by combining different subjects and disciplines. This holistic and multidisciplinary approach to teaching has been part of the Indian education system since ancient times in universities like ‘Nalanda’ and ‘Takshashila’. However, with the rise of scientific and technological fields, the focus on liberal arts education declined.
But as they say, History repeats itself, and the need for a well-rounded education can be seen again in the country. While a specialised degree is valuable, it limits students' exposure to diverse fields. This focus on a single subject can lead to mental strain and halt the development of critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Also Read: Future of Liberal Arts
To address this issue and equip students with essential skills like creativity, innovation, teamwork, and communication; the New Education Policy (NEP) emphasises the importance of liberal arts education. In the following section, we will look into the specific reasons why a liberal arts education is crucial in India's educational landscape.
Also Read: Top Liberal Arts Specialisation in India
Need for Liberal Arts Education in India
The Indian education system lacks a well-rounded and holistic education approach. Liberal arts degrees address this issue and come with a multidisciplinary method of learning. Read on to know why India needs more education like liberal arts.
Multidisciplinary Approach: For decades, Indian education has been rigid with limited scope for interdisciplinary study, especially in higher education. A long-felt need existed for an educational approach that allowed students to explore subjects from multiple disciplines together.
Liberal arts education fulfils this need perfectly and combines the study of multiple disciplines in a single degree. Integrating STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with arts and humanities subjects is the foundational principle of liberal arts education.
Also Read: How Liberal Arts Can Help in Today's Job Market?
Flexibility: The previous education system had very limited flexibility and the same topics were offered over a long time. There was for sure a need to change the way education was provided. NEP has focused on this issue by introducing flexible learning options, not only in subject selection but also in course duration, learning mode, and even inter-institutional transfers.
With the implementation of NEP, liberal arts education can be pursued with any course of a student’s interest. It also offers multiple exit points, such as certification if students exit in one year, a diploma on the completion of two years, and a degree after three years of study. The flexibility of moving across institutions is also a salient feature of NEP and liberal arts.
Also Read: Career Opportunities After Pursuing Liberal Arts
Social Skills: Another major need for liberal arts education was to provide students with social skills along with technical training. A report published by the Sapien Labs Centre for the Human Brain and Mind in 2023 showed that more than 50 per cent of the youth in India have poor mental health.
Because of the increase in the number of suicides committed by students over the decade and the decline in the moral well-being of students, there was a need for such education. In liberal arts, students are also taught to enhance their thinking, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and confidence to overcome any situation in their personal and professional lives.
Low Enrolment in Humanities: With the high value of scientific and technology subjects in this digital era, colleges witnessed less enrolment in humanities and social sciences subjects. So, there was a need to change the traditional learning routes and hence many educational institutions have come with liberal arts degrees.
Colleges have started providing humanities courses along with technical subjects. For example, a liberal arts degree by combining computer science and history in a single degree.
Also Read: Liberal Education as per NEP 2020
Technical Literacy: We can not deny the fact that having technical skills is important for every student regardless of their academic background. Presently, there is absolutely no focus on providing basic technical literacy to students with humanities and social sciences students.
But, liberal arts degrees bridge the gap by combining technical education with humanities subjects. This allows students with backgrounds in humanities to pursue careers in technical fields.
Consider a liberal arts degree that integrates computer science with history or philosophy. Such a degree equips graduates with a unique combination of technical and social science knowledge which is uncommon in regular/specialised degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Because of its broad-based learning method and focus on equipping students with both soft and hard skills, liberal education is important.
Flexibility of learning and interpersonal skills in addition to technical knowledge is the major benefit of studying liberal arts.
NEP's full form is the National Education Policy. It is a new educational policy that came into existence on 29 July 2020 by the Union Cabinet of India.
Liberal arts come with a multidisciplinary learning approach, flexibility, interpersonal skills, and technical literacy which is why it is needed in the Indian education system.
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List of B.A. colleges
Questions related to B.A.
Hi Shikha,
A BA in Psychology (Hons) can be both intellectually enriching and challenging, depending upon your interests and aptitude. Here's an overview of what to expect and the prospects after the degree:
Is BA in Psychology (Hons) Hard?
1.Course Complexity:
- Content: The subject of psychology involves human behaviors, emotions, and thinking. The main areas included are:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Research Methods and Statistics
- Abnormal Psychology
- These topics are based on theory, research, and practical applications.
- If you are not afraid of reading, analyzing case studies, and memorizing concepts, the coursework is manageable.
2. Skill Requirements:
- Analytical Skills: To interpret research and data.
- Empathy and Communication: This is necessary to understand diverse perspectives.
- Writing and Reporting: You'll write essays, reports, and possibly research papers.
3. Workload:
- The subject can be highly reading-intensive, assignment-intensive, and experiment-intensive, but it is not as math-intensive as in the case of STEM fields. However, courses like Research Methods have statistics, which some students may find difficult.
4. Interest-Driven:
- If you are interested in understanding human behavior, it will feel interesting rather than hard. But if the subject does not interest you, it will seem boring.
Earning Income After a 3-Year BA in Psychology
While a bachelor's degree gives a good foundation, most of the high-paying or specialized jobs in psychology require postgraduate qualifications. Still, you can find entry-level positions:
Career Options After BA in Psychology
1. Human Resources (HR):
Jobs: HR Assistant, Talent Acquisition Specialist.
Average Salary: rupees 2.5–4 lakh per year in India.
2. Counseling Jobs (Non-Clinical):
- Positions: School Counselor, Peer Support Facilitator.
- Salaries: rupees 1.8–3 lakh a year.
3. Market Research Analyst :
- Apply skills of Behavior to Consumer Analysis
- Salary: rupees 3-5 lakh a year
4. Social Work and NGOs:
- Positions: Program Coordinator, Community Outreach Worker.
- Salaries: rupees1.5-3 lakhs a year
5. Freelance Opportunity :
- Content creation in mental health, psychology blogs, or conducting workshops on emotional well-being.
6. Psychometric Testing:
- Giving aptitude or personality tests under supervision.
Advancing Your Career
To access more lucrative and specialized roles:
1. Master's in Psychology(Clinical, Counseling, Organizational).
- Master's level careers like Clinical Psychologist or Counselor require a master's and often licensing.
2. Pursue specializations such as Industrial-Organizational Psychology or Educational Psychology .
3. Acquire certifications in areas like Behavioral Therapy or HR Analytics to enhance employability.
Conclusion
BA in Psychology (Hons) is not too tough if you are genuinely interested. After the degree, although high-paying jobs may not be many, entry-level jobs are available. To maximize the earning potential, consider further education or certifications. With increasing awareness of mental health, psychology is a promising field.
Hi Sandhya,
The BA LLB (Hons.) 5-year online application process for Xavier Law School, Bhubaneswar is due to begin soon. April 30, 2024, is likely the last date to submit applications for the 2024-25 session. The admissions are purely merit-based and will be done using scores from entrance exams, such as CLAT and AILET or the XLET (Xavier Law Entrance Test), coupled with academic performance in Class 10 and 12.
To apply, one has to visit the official Xavier Law School website, create an account and submit the required documents. Application fee is Rs. 1400 for one program, an additional Rs. 300 per extra program.
For a BA Hons degree, consider top colleges in india are Delhi University (DU), particularly colleges like Hansraj College, Hindu College, and St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, as they are widely recognized for their strong humanities programs; other good options include Christ University, and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) through CUET UG entrance exam.
Depending on your preferred specialization and location as you belong to uttar pradesh you can consider Banaras Hindu University (BHU) which is good in academics and placements too.
B. A HONS for more details
GOOD LUCK!!!
The cut-off marks for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) in India vary significantly depending on the institution, location, and admission criteria. Universities and colleges across the country consider different parameters like board examination scores, entrance exams, or a combination of both.
General Overview of Cut-Off Marks:
• Central and State Universities
Prestigious institutions like Delhi University (DU), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) often have higher cut-off marks.
• Delhi University: Cut-offs typically range between 85% to 98% in Class 12 board exams for top colleges like Lady Shri Ram College and Kamala Nehru College.
• Jamia Millia Islamia: Admission is based on an entrance test, and scoring 60%–70% in the test is usually required for selection.
• Private Universities
Private institutions such as Amity University, Christ University, and Symbiosis Centre for Media & Communication generally conduct their own entrance exams or interviews. For some, a minimum of 50%–65% in Class 12 is the basic eligibility criterion.
• State-Level Colleges
Colleges affiliated with state universities often have moderate cut-off marks, ranging between 50% to 75%, depending on the popularity and demand for the course.
• Entrance Exams
Some universities, like Symbiosis and IP University, require candidates to clear entrance exams like SET and IPU CET, where cut-off scores vary each year based on difficulty and competition.
It's essential to check the specific requirements of the institution you’re applying to, as they can vary widely. Preparing well for board exams or entrance tests and building a portfolio may increase your chances of admission to top JMC programs.
Hello aspirant,
Based on CUET exam results, AMU grants admission to a range of undergraduate programs. By completing the application and registering on the official website, applicants for admission to Aligarh Muslim University can participate in the AMU Counseling Process.
So, yes you can take admission in BA Psychology in AMU through CUET.
Thank you
Hope it helps you