HSNC (State Cluster) University, Mumbai launches M.A. in Liberal Studies

University to offer the programme in its new Worli campus, admissions are now open

HSNC (State Cluster) University comprising H.R. College; K.C. College; and Bombay Teachers’ Training College launches a two-year post-graduate degree in Liberal Studies. The programme, a one-of-a-kind intersdisciplinary programme is offered under the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. The admissions are now open for graduates across all disciplines and streams. The programme will be offered by the University starting Academic Year 2022-2023 and the first cohort will be of maximum 60 students.

The programme, M.A. in Liberal Studies, envisages the idea of holistic and integrated learning aimed at breaking disciplinary silos between pure sciences, social sciences and humanities. The programme seeks to re-imagine learning in ways that foster intellectual curiosity, ability to raise critical questions and most important to develop a sense of social justice, equity and empathy while engaging with complex global realities. The programme will also inform the students with multiple and holistic perspectives drawn from different disciplines so as to produce a richer understanding of complex social realities.

Across the two years (four semesters), the curriculum will cover both teaching and practicum courses. Some courses offered are: Design Studies, Science Studies, Gender and Women Studies, Audio and Visual, Development Studies, Culture Studies, Environmental Studies and more. The programme will also offer a strong research component through dissertation/thesis. Faculties from across disciplines, trained and experienced in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary studies with their innovative pedagogic tools will enable a cohesive learning.

The programme is designed keeping in mind the global developments in liberal education and the local demands for transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary methods and approaches. On the launch of the programme, Dr Hemlata Bagla, Vice-Chancellor, HSNC University, says, “Globally, liberal education is propounded as a directionary tool for critical and analytical growth. With its critical and interdisciplinary ethos, it has brought about changes in disciplines and universities across the globe. Covid-19 and Climate Change have only proved the importance of interdisciplinary contextualization of social and national issues. The demand - both local and global - for graduates with inter and trans disciplinary skills is huge. The National Education Policy, 2020 has only concretised this need. The graduates will be employable in Academia and Higher Education, Research, development sector, public policy and think tanks, psychology, public health, journalism and communication, design, software and technology industry and more.”

The University centres social inclusion and diversity and urges marginalised aspirants across caste, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, geography to apply. Need-based fee-waiver will be provided to all applicants in need.