School of Humanities

The School of Humanities, which became operational in December 2004, consists of the following departments.

1)   Department of English
2)   Department of French
3)   Department of Hindi
4)   Department of Sanskrit
5)  Department of Philosophy
6)   Department of Physical Education and Sports
7)   Department of Performing Arts
8)   Escande Chair in Asian Christian Studies

All the Departments offer P.G., M.Phil., and Ph.D. programmes.  However, the Center for Asian Christian studies offers only M.Phil. and P.G. Diploma in Asian Christian Studies programmes. The School caters to the needs of a large number of students of the University and  some of the faculty members of the School have made enormous contributions to their respective disciplines and they are known and well respected in the academic community for their scholarship.


Dr. V.C. Thomas, Dean  

1. Department of English

The Department of English was established on 1st December 1986.  Right from its inception the Department has attracted a considerable number of students and research scholars, keen in their pursuit of language and literary studies. The Department has a special focus on Comparative Literature. A paper on Comparative Literary Theory is offered to the post- graduate students in the Department.  Moreover, students, both at post graduate and research levels, are encouraged to take up research between two literatures/genres/ ages.

The Department of English strives to incorporate a wide range of subjects and issues under its purview – literary criticism and theory, poetry and aesthetics, fiction studies-modernist and post-modernist phases, Commonwealth literature,  Postcolonial studies,  Subaltern Studies, and Media Studies, Gender, Diaspora and Subaltern Studies.  With such wide ranging subjects and with a faculty which is highly specialized, the Department also has a student exchange programme with Rennes II University in France.


Programmes of study

M.A.  English and Comparative Literature
M.Phil.  English (Full-time)
Ph.D. English 
(Full-time & Part-time (Internal & External))
         
Entrance Examination

M.A. :
The entrance examination question paper will consist of objective type questions for 50 marks.  The remaining 50 marks are allotted to short notes, essay writing and poem/prose analysis.  The paper is set taking into consideration the U.G. syllabus (English Major) in Indian Universities.

Essay and paragraph type questions of the entrance examination will be based on the B.A. English literature syllabus followed in Indian University literary and Aesthetic movements, Genere Drama, Poetry, Prose, Novel, Short Story, Biography, etc. Rhetoric, Great Authors, Literary terms in Criticism & Literature, land marks in Literary History of England, English literary studies  in America, India and other Commonwealth countries will form the basis for the questions in this section, Awareness of current literary events, bestsellers, award winners, international figures in the literary field will also be tested. Questions testing the skills of the candidate in comparative exercises will also be included in this section.

M.Phil/Ph.D:
The Entrance Examination question paper will be descriptive in nature with short notes, essay writing and poem/prose analysis. The questions for the entrance examination  will be at post- graduate level aimed at testing the students’ comprehensive understanding of literature in English as well as research aptitude.


Infrastructural Facilities
The Department has well-ventilated classrooms and one classroom can be used as a seminar hall having a seating capacity of 50-60.  Besides the facultys’ personal computers, the office has a computer with internet facilities along with a dot-matrix printer.

The Department also has a photocopier, a VCD Player, new audio-visual equipments such as LCD  projector, educational CDs, etc.

For more details refer Admissions
Dr. N. Natarajan, Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Professor
* P. Balaswamy Ph.D (University of Madras, Madras) American Literature, Translation and Comparative Literature 345,344
Readers
* Sujatha Vijayaraghavan Ph.D (IIT, Madras) Indian Writing in English, Postcolonial Literature and Criticism and  Translation Studies. 347,344
* N. Natarajan Ph.D (University of Madras, Madras) Literary Criticism, Modern Fiction and Comparative Literature 347,344
*S. Murali Ph.D (University of Kerala, Trivandrum) Poetry, Aesthetics, Literary Theory, Indian Literature, Visual Arts  and Environmental Studies
P. Bhaskaran Nair Ph.D (CIEFL, Hyderabad) English Language Teaching Teacher Education Materials Production
Clement Sagayaradj Lourdes Ph.D (Pondicherry University, Pondicherry) Indian Writing in English and Translation Studies.
348,344
Lecturers      
*H. Kalpana Ph.D (Pondicherry University, Pondicherry) Canadian Literature Commonwealth Literature, Feminist Theories & Women's Literature -
Nikhila Haritas Ph.D (Bangalore University, Bangalore) Computer-Mediated Communications, Audio Visual Communication & Mass Media, Post Colonial Studies
Guest Faculty 2 Nos.

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2. Department of French

The Department of French was established in 1987. The following programmes are conducted:   M.A.  (French-Translation and Interpretation), M.Phil. and Ph.D.  Faculty members are trained in French Language and Literature.  They have undergone specialized training at various universities in France.  The two year Master’s degree in French-translation and interpretation prepares students for successful jobs like translators, teachers, lecturers and executives.  Students are given wide options to select electives from various Departments of the University so as to increase their job opportunities and to become fully equipped to face the challenges of life.

Linkages with French Universities

M.A. students can pursue their studies at University of Rennes II, France.  The credits earned in that French University will be taken into consideration and M.A. degree will be awarded by the Pondicherry University.  French students from University of South Brittany, France have the possibilities of continuing their studies in Pondicherry University.  Every year, five  to six students of this Department are selected by the French Embassy, New Delhi to teach English language in various regions of France for a period of one year.  This gives them an opportunity to do some courses in French Universities and also to have first hand information of life in France.  Back in India, they are able to fare well in their professional lives.

Job opportunities

All the students, after their post graduation/M.Phil. are absorbed as lecturers, teachers, translators and executives in companies  like Ford, GE, HP, British Airways, etc.

Programmes of study

M.A. French (Translation and Interpretation)
M.Phil. French (Full-time)
Ph.D. French
(Full-time &  Part-time (Internal & External))


Entrance Examination

M.A. (Translation and Interpretation):
The question paper for the entrance examination will mostly consist of objective type questions on French language, literature and civilization. However, 20 marks out of 100 will be allotted to translation and essay writing in order to test the linguistic skills of the candidate.

M.Phil. and Ph.D.
The written examination will consist mostly of questions of objective type on French language, literature and civilization and one essay type question to test the argumentative skills of the candidate.


Infrastructure Facilities
The Department has audio and video equipments designed for the teaching of language.
For more details refer Admissions
Prof. R. Kichenamourty, Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Professor
* R. Venguattaramane Ph.D., (Universite de Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris III, France) Translation, French Civilization, Canadian Civilization and Teaching of French as Foreign Language. 354
* S. Pannirselvame Ph.D (Pondicherry University, Pondicherry) French Language, French Linguistics, Translation and Teaching of French as Foreign Language. 356
Readers
* Nalini J. Thampi Ph.D., (Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad) French and Francophone Literatures, Comparative Literature and Women's Writing. 355
Lecturer
(Senior Scale)
S. Ananda Vadivelou DEA., (Sorbonne University, Paris III, France) French Civilization, Business French, Hotel Management & Tourism. -
Guest Faculty 1 No.

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3. Department of Hindi

The Department of Hindi offers facilities for intensive study and research in different areas of Hindi literature, functional Hindi and translation, paying special attention to comparative literature.

Programmes of study
M.A.  Hindi
M. Phil.  Hindi (Full-time)
Ph.D.  Hindi (Full-time & Part-time (Internal & External))

Entrance Examination

Ph.D., M.Phil., M.A.
Admission to Ph.D. will be based on the marks obtained in the entrance examination followed by an interview.  For M.A.  entrance examination question paper will consist of both objective type questions for 50 marks and essays on literary and general topics for 50 marks. The question will be of under graduate level

M.Phil./Ph.D. entrance exam question paper will contain two parts, first part will contain objective type question and the second part will be descriptive in nature. The questions will be of post graduate level to test the comprehensive understanding of Hindi literature and the research aptitude of the candidate.

For more details refer Admissions
Dr. V. Vizialakshmi, Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Reader
* V. Vizialakshmi D.Litt ., (B.R. Ambedkar University, Muzaffarpur) Poetry, Fiction and Comparative literature 363
Lecturer
S. Padma Priya Ph. D (Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi) Modern poetry, Functional Hindi and Translation.

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4. Department of Sanskrit

The Department of Sanskrit aims to train students who are oriented towards research and teaching in advanced areas of Vedanta, Nyaya, Yoga and Sahitya.  A Centre for Simple Sanskrit Speaking, sponsored by the UGC, is attached to this Department.  The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (Deemed University), New Delhi has also allotted a center to teach non-formal Sanskrit courses through this Department.

Programmes of study
M.A. Sanskrit
M.Phil.  Sanskrit (Full-time)
Ph.D.  Sanskrit   
(Full-time & Part-time (Internal & External))

Entrance Examination
The entrance examination for admission to M.A. programme will include questions  of B.A. Sanskrit level on the following topics: Prose, Poetry, Drama, Historical Kavya and Alankaras.

The entrance examination for admission to M.Phil. and Ph.D. will be of the level of M.A. in the following areas: Prose, Poetry, Drama,  Historical Kavyas, Alankaras, Technical Literature and Sad-darsanas. A majority of the questions will be descriptive in nature which would test the research aptitude of the candidate.

Entrance exam pattern for M.A. in Sanskrit: twenty short type questions of 2 marks,  ten short notes of 4 marks, and one essay type for 20 marks. Entrance exam pattern for M.Phil./Ph.D. will be common.

Infrastructure facilities
Computer with Internet facility is available.
For more details refer Admissions
Dr. E. Dharaneedharan, Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Reader
* K.E. Dharaneedharan Vidyavaridhi (Ph,D) New Delhi Nyaya Mimams Advaita Vedanta and Visishtadraita Vedanta.
*J. Krishnan Ph.D, (University of Madras, Madras) Advaita Vedanta and Nyaya 360,358
Chakradhar Behera Ph.D, (Pune University, Pune). Vedanta, Sankhya and Yoga and Linguistics 361,384

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5. Department of Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy started functioning from the academic year 1989-90 and  is offering Ph.D., M.Phil. and M.A. programmes.  The thrust areas of teaching and research are Metaphysics (Eastern & Western), Epistemology (Eastern & Western) and    Social Philosophy (Eastern & Western).

Programmes of study
M.A.  Philosophy
M.Phil.  Philosophy (Full-time)           
Ph.D.  Philosophy
(Full time & Part-time (Internal & external))


Entrance Examination
M.A
The written paper for admission would comprise of subjective type questions at the undergraduate level.

M.Phil/Ph.D

The written paper for admission would comprise of subjective type questions at the post graduate level.
For more details refer Admissions
Dr. K. Srinivas, Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Area of Specialization/Interest Phone
Professor and Dean
* V.C. Thomas Ph.D (Delhi University, Delhi) Phenomenology, Existentialism & Metaphysics 341,340
Professor
* K. Srinivas Ph.D (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi) Analytic Philosophy, Epistemology (Indian and Western), Philosophy of Science, Modern Logic. 342,340
Readers
*B.R. Shantha Kumari Ph.D (Pondicherry University, Pondicherry) Advaita, Aesthetics and Classical Indian Philosophy. 343,340
S.Indira Ph.D (Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi) Contemporary Indian Philosophy, Gandhian Philosphy & Yoga philosophy.
Lecturers
P. Kesava Kumar Ph.D (University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad) Ethics and Social Philosophy, Contemporary Indian Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Philosophy of Religion and Political Philosophy

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6. Department of Physical Education and Sports

The Department of Physical Education and Sports was established in August 1987.

Programmes of Study
M.P.Ed. Master of Physical Education
M.Phil Physical Education (Full-time)
Ph.D Physical Education
(Full-time & Part-time (Internal & External))

Entrance Examination
M.P.Ed :
The written examination for M.P.Ed. will comprise of multiple objective type questions of B.P.Ed. / B.P.E. level and  general knowledge in games and sports.  The applicants should also undergo physical fitness tests and games proficiency tests conducted by the Department

M.Phil/Ph.D
The questions for the entrance examinations will consist of Multiple choice questions drawn from the  M.P.Ed. / M.P.E./ M.P.E.S., viz., Research Methods, Elementary Statistics, Exercise Physiology, Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education, Bio-Mechanics and Kinesiology, History of Physical Education, Training Methods, and General Knowledge in games and sports.

Infrastructure Facilities
The Department offers good facilities for the following games: Cricket, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Kabaddi, Hockey, Handball and Kho-Kho. The Department has a good out-door stadium with cinder track.  The Department also has a   Physical Fitness Centre and Physiotherapy Lab.
For more details refer Admissions
Dr. N. Govindarajulu, Head (i/c)
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Readers
* N. Govindarajulu Ph.D. (Jiwaji University, Gwalior) Physical Education, Management and Organisation of Physical Education and Sports, Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Yoga. 315,339
* P.K. Subramaniam Ph.D. (Pondicherry University, Pondicherry) Physical Education, Kinesiology, Yoga and Volleyball. 316,339
*D. Sakthignanavel Ph.D. (Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar) Physical Education, Exercise Physiology, Training Methods, Yoga, Sports Psychology. 476,339
D. Sultana Ph.D. (Alagappa University, Karaikudi) Physical Education, Measurement & Evaluation and Basketbal  and Yoga.
317,339
Lecturer
(Selection Grade)
G. Vasanthi M.Phil Physical Education, Sports Psychology, Volleyball and Table Tennis. 319,339
Lecturer      
K. Tiroumourougane M.Phil Physical Education, Exercise Physiology, Cricket and Yoga. 477,339

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7. Department of Performing Arts

Department Performing Arts started functioning from the academic year 1988-89 and it offers M.A., M.Phil. and Ph.D. in  Theatre Arts.

Thrust area of teaching & Research:
Folk Theatre (Music & Dance), Folk Arts,  (Music in Theatre),  Modern Theatre (Play writing & Direction),  Stage Craft,  Theatre Architecture,  Body Language,  Modern Choreography,  Theru-k-koothu, Lighting, Costume, Make up, Setting, Film Acting, Film Appreciation, Script Writing and  Direction.

Programmes of study
M.A Drama & Theatre Arts
M.Phil Drama & Theatre Arts (Full-time)
Ph.D Drama & Theatre Arts
(Full-time), Part-time (Internal & External)

Entrance Examination:
Admission to M.A. and M.Phil. programmes will be based on the performance of the candidates in the entrance examination  and for the Ph.D. programme based on the performance in the entrance examination and viva voce.
For more details refer Admissions
Dr. R. Raju, Head
For contacting on intercom numbers dial 2655991 to 2655998 and the number

Faculty Qualification Area of Specialization/Interest Phone
Professors
* K.A. Gunasekaran Ph.D. (Madurai Kamraj University, Madurai) Folk Theatre (Music & Dance), Folk Arts, Literature & Music in Theatre (Play writing & Direction) 459,462
R. Raju Ph.D (Tamil University, Tanjore) Stage craft, Film Acting, Theatre Architecture and Direction 460,462
Lecturers
V. Arumugam Ph.D. (Pondicherry University, Pondicherry) Modern Choreography, Direction and Play writing, Theru-k-koothu 461,462
Guest Faculty 1 No.

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8. Escande Chair in Asian Christian Studies

This Endowed Chair was established in the year 2004. The main objective of the Chair is to guide researchers on the study of Christianity in relation with other religious, and cultural & philosophical thoughts in Asia. The focus is religious harmony and humanism.  The Chair offers M.Phil. and P.G. Diploma programmes in collaboration with the Department of Philosophy.

Programmes of Study
M.Phil. Asian Christian Studies (Full-time )
P.G. Diploma in Asian Christian Studies.

Entrance examination
The written test  for admission to both M.Phil. and P.G. Diploma will comprise of objective type questions  on  Christianity.
For more details refer Admissions
P.A. Sampathkumar, Co-ordinator

Faculty Qualification Specialization/Interest Phone
Co-ordinator
P.A. Sampathkumar Ph.D. (Strasbourg University, France) Co-oridinator, Chair in Asian Christian Studies Christian Scriptures, Biblical languages, Origin and Development of Christianity in the former French colonies in Asia.

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* Recognised as Supervisor for guiding scholars leading to M.Phil and Ph.D.