The aim of the second cycle in Philosophy is to enable students to have an in-depth study of Philosophy with a special focus on specialization in a particular branch of Philosophy, thus qualifying students to teach Philosophy. Accordingly, the Faculty of Philosophy offers Licentiate programme in five different specializations: Systematic Philosophy; Interfacing Science, Philosophy and Religion; Moral and Political Philosophy; Indian Studies; and Applied Philosophy.

The objective is to help students acquire competencies in philosophical research in view of specializing in a particular branch of Philosophy.

To enable them to understand and appreciate the rich philosophical heritage, and to respond meaningfully to the contemporary challenges.

To equip them to be competent teachers of Philosophy in ecclesiastical institutes of Philosophy.

Licentiate Programmes in Philosophy (Ph.l)

The Faculty of Philosophy offers licentiate programmes with two different specializations: Licentiate in Systematic Philosophy (Ph.L.-SP) and Licentiate in Interfacing Science and Religion (Ph.L.-SR). These programmes will be comprehensive in scope in view of qualifying the students to teach Philosophy.

Programme Requirements

Students need to complete 120 credits during the two-year programme of study.

Students are expected to obtain the required number of credits from common courses, language courses, courses on specialization along with practical exercises and seminars, including Licentiate dissertation.

Course Content

The Licentiate programme in Philosophy has five specializations offered by the faculty, each student must obtain 120 credits in two years, by meeting the following requirements.

All students are expected to obtain 24 credits from the following courses that are classified as Supplementary Obligatory Subjects: Research Methodology (3 credits), Faith and Reason (3 credits), Classical language: Basic Latin (6 credits), Advanced English: Grammar (6 credits) and Advanced English: Composition (6 credits). However, for exception students, 12 credits from the last two courses will be accredited from the previous university studies based on the qualifying examination.

1. a) Six common courses (24 credits)
2. b) Eight specialization courses (32 credits)
3. c) Two courses on Languages (8 credits)
4. d) Four seminars in the area of specialization (16 credits)
5. e) Guided paper in the area of specialization (10 credits)
6. f) Licentiate Dissertation in the area of specialization (30 credits)

A student can submit his or her thesis for the defence only after completing all the required courses and seminars.

Each student will write the licentiate thesis of 25,000 to 30,000 words, according to the guidelines provided by the faculty. The dissertation is to be written under a approved guide with the prior approval of the coordinator.

A second year licentiate student is expected to finalize the topic and prepare a tentative outline of his/her Licentiate Dissertation, with the guidance of his/her guide and submit it to the Licentiate coordinator for approval by the end of the third semester. The student is expected to begin working on the thesis from the beginning of the final semester. After the completed thesis has been approved by his/her guide, the student should hand it over to the Registrar. The last date for handing in the approved thesis is indicated in the Handbook and Calendar.

Licentiate students are expected to participate in the Annual Research seminar conducted by the Association of Christian Philosophers in India (ACPI). They are also expected to actively participate in all the seminars and symposia organized by the faculty.

Examination

Each course will be evaluated by the Course instructor according to the norms laid down by the instructor at the beginning of the course. The evaluation will comprise an on-going evaluation of the student’s participation in course discussions and assignments, as well as a final evaluation of the student’s comprehension of the subject by means of an oral examination or a written test or an essay paper.

The approved guide will evaluate the guided paper according to the norms of the faculty.

The Licentiate thesis will be defended before a board of two examiners, one of whom will be the Thesis Guide, and the other a Reader appointed by the Licentiate Coordinator. The marks obtained in the Thesis-cum-defence will count for 40% of the student’s final grade in the Licentiate Programme.