THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

Introductory Notes

The intellectual formation of the students is one of the primary concerns of the Institute. It aims at the formation of an integrated vision of life. The academic curriculum is designed in such a way that it draws from the rich resources of the Western and Eastern thought. The study programme of the Institute comprises a three-year basic course in Philosophy and BA Course. The first cycle ends with the degree of Baccalaureate (VG 83).

Regulations of the Institute

Admission

1.    For admission to the Institute as a student one must be presented:

• By the Rector of the Seminary, if he resides in the Seminary
• By one’s proper Superior/Guardian if the applicant is a religious/ seminarian residing outside.
• By testimonial letter from an ecclesiastical authority acceptable to the Institute in the case of other applicants.

2.     Minimum requirements for admission to the first year of studies are:

• The minimum academic qualification of the applicant is a pass in the Higher Secondary Course / Degree Course
• The completion of one year of special training in English and Latin/Syriac and other subjects according to a Syllabus approved by the Institute.

3.     Promotion to a new academic year: Degree course students will not be allowed to begin a new academic year if they are still to improve in two or more main subjects of the previous year.

Entrance Exam

The first semester of the first year is devoted to intensive coaching in English language. At the beginning of the new Academic Year a mandatory English Entrance Examination is conducted. One has to secure 60% of marks to pass in the entrance examination. Those who28 Handbook & Calendar 2021-22 fail to secure the required marks will have to attend a basic course in English and those who secure the required marks will have to attend an advanced course in English. At the end of the first semester a fresh examination is conducted and those who fail to secure the required marks even in the second attempt will have to appear for the Entrance Examination in the following year.

Attendance

1.    Regular attendance at lectures, group discussions, and all other academic activities is obligatory.

2.    Permission to absent oneself from any class is granted only by the President/Rector and is to be communicated to the Dean beforehand, either personally by the absentee himself or through the class coordinator. Any student who is absent in more than 20% of the classes in an year will have to repeat the year.

3.     A student who is absent for more than 30% of a course will have to repeat the course or compensate it in consultation with the Dean.

3.     The President in consultation with the teaching staff can only grant exemption from any course or program for legitimate reasons.

Course and Credits

1.     The minimum number of working/class days in an academic year is set as 165. These 165 days are divided into 11 credits of 15 days (11 x 15). Six classes/Lectures are scheduled for each day of the first semester (5 x 6 x 15 = 450) whereas fives classes are scheduled for the second semester (6 x 5 x 15 = 450). Thus an year is divided into 900 teaching hours for each batch.

2.    The three years are divided into six semesters. 180 credits are to be obtained by the students for the completion of their training. One credit is of 15 lectures plus the equivalent amount of personal work. The 180 credits are to be obtained according to the approximate distribution of 60 credits in the first year, 60 in the second year and 60 in the third year. This is inclusive of the syllabus prescribed by the University. The academic programme is mainly classified into three categories, viz., the obligatory basic subjects, the supplementary obligatory subjects and the optional additional subjects. Students will have the choice of a number of optional subjects from among the optional additional subjects every year.

3.     The approximate distribution of credits for courses is as follows:

4.    In teaching the following methods may be used: lectures, seminars, reading, and evaluation of books and articles, tutorials and research projects, audio visual aids, the general programs of which shall be approved by the Governing Body and determined in detail by the Dean of Studies.

University Studies

1.    Along with the three-year Philosophy Course, the students are also doing BA Course in philosophy at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The plan of Philosophy Course is arranged in such a way that syllabus and other requirements of the BA Course of the University is taken care of. As a policy, the Institute takes care of the basic and elective subjects common to all. Students are also encouraged to opt for University elective subjects of their interest and aptitude.

2.    Those students who completed degree can complete philosophy training in this institute with two years provided they score 70% (1st Class - B+) marks for every subject in the first semester. If they fail to score above said marks they have to undergo philosophy training for three years.

3.    Those students who will not be doing BA course of the university along with their philosophical training should obtain at least 120 credits from various departments, as decided by the Dean in consultation with the teaching staff. Any exemption is to be granted only by the President in consultation with the staff.

4.    The eligible students can apply for MA studies provided they submit a written application to the president with the consent of their respective authorities.

Lectures Schedule

Lectures are held at the institute on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday is normally non-instructional day.

Examinations

1.    Examination will be conducted at the end of each semester for the subjects completed during the semester. Students will be examined not only on the basis of lectures given in the class as specified in the prospectus, but also based on the literature related to the subject assigned for private and personal study.

2.    There will be at least two modes of evaluation for every basic and subsidiary subjects in philosophy. Any exemption is to be made only by the Dean of Studies in consultation with the concerned teacher.

3.    The mode of examination will be oral, written or in any other form decided upon by the teacher.

4.    Class tests, assignments, presentations, discussions, etc. should not exceed 50% of the total evaluation and at least 50% of the total marks should be reserved for the mid semestral/semestral examination. Courses above 2 credits shall be constituted with internal assessment.

5.    No student shall be allowed to enroll:

• For the examination of a subject if he has not attended the required number of classes.
• For the examination for Diploma and Degree if he has not been successful in all subjects and exercises of the respective cycles.

6.    For special courses evaluation may be made immediately at the end of the course.

7.    The students shall be present for examinations at the appointed time. Postponement of examinations will be allowed only by the President for serious reasons and only on the recommendation of the teacher concerned.

8.    Any student who fails in an examination will be given one more chance. A second chance will be granted only on the grounds of exception granted by Provincial/Superiors. Anyone who avails such chances for more than three subjects in a year will have to repeat the year. The re-examinations are held normally at the beginning of the new semester.

9.    Students who fail in more than five subjects a year will have to repeat the year.

10.    The final comprehensive examination covers all the obligatory and subsidiary subjects offered during the three years. To be eligible to the final comprehensive examination, students should have completed all other academic requirements of the institute. The comprehensive exam will be in written and oral form.

• Comprehensive Written The written examination will be conducted for 100 marks, and a minimum score of 50% is essential to appear for oral examination. If the performance is unsatisfactory the candidate shall be given one more opportunity to appear for re-examination within two days. The mode of written exam will be as follows: 1) The students will be given six theses well in advance and 2) out of six, three will be eliminated on the eve of the examination. 3) The final thesis for each student is decided on the basis of lot taken half an hour before the
  commencement of the examination.
• Comprehensive Viva The oral examination lasts for 30 minutes before a board of three examiners. The marks of the comprehensive examination amount to 20% of the final average of marks. Anyone failing in it will have to repeat it at a time fixed by the Registrar in consultation with the Academic Council. Normally there should be a lapse of 15 days before the re-exam, unless and otherwise decided by the examiners.

Grading System (For the batches of BPh Degree)

The following grading scale is used in evaluating examinations, assignments, book reviews, seminars and dissertations.

The Final Grading Distribution

Certificates

1.    The certificates will be distributed to all the students who have successfully completed their philosophical studies in the seminary at the Major Seminarians' Meet of every academic year.
2.    The students, who find themselves unable to attend the Major Seminarians Meet, may receive the certificates later, either through person or by V.P.P. with due payment.