The Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences (GCPAS) under Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has introduced ‘BA (Aesthetics and Peace Studies)’ from this academic year. Varadesh Hiregange, Director of GCPAS, said that “BA (Aesthetics and Peace Studies)’ intends to connect and combine liberal arts and social sciences with a broad framework of aesthetics and peace studies. Literature, arts and media have been brought together with political science, international relations, and philosophy,” he said.
The artistic, intellectual and communicative abilities of the students will be trained in such a way that they will be able to work in the areas of journalism, media, communication, social sector, international agencies, research and publishing, he said.
NEP impact
There will be multiple exit points in BA (Aesthetics and Peace Studies). Students can study for three years and get a normal degree, or they can study for four years and get an honours degree. They will get a diploma if they study for two years, and a certificate if they study for one year.
The Pro-Chancellor of MAHE, HS Ballal, and the Vice-Chancellor of MAHE, Lt Gen (retd) MD Venkatesh, have expressed happiness over the interdisciplinary approach in the new programme, he said, adding it is in tune with MAHE’s commitment to encourage liberal arts / humanities and social sciences along with technical and health sciences.