GCPAS offers MA in Ecosophical Aesthetics

A new Master of Arts (MA) course in Ecosophical Aesthetics will be offered by Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences (GCPAS), a constituent department of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Deemed University) from this academic year onwards, according to a press release.

GCPAS Director Prof Varadesh Hiregange stated the postgraduate course, specially designed to meet the needs of contemporary times, is called Ecosophical Aesthetics, an emerging area of study with immense contemporary significance.

It is a two-year programme to fulfil the need for ‘art writers’. It is an intersection of journalism, philosophy, ecology, arts and sciences. It is essentially ‘art journalism from ecosophical perspective’.

Ecosophy combines ecology and philosophy. The programme includes a philosophical appreciation of all art forms – music, dance, literature, theatre, cinema, painting etc. with a focus on writing and ecosophy is the connecting thread, he stated.

Anyone with graduation or equivalent degree can take up this programme. The papers offered are as follows--Semester–I: Introduction to Ecosophical Aesthetics, Cultural History of the World, History of Science, Overview of Literature, Ecology and Environment.

Semester – II: Research Methodology, Fundamentals of Music, Essentials of Dance, Painting and other Visual Arts, Appreciating Theatre.

Semester – III: Dissertation, Journalism, Media and Communication, Nuances of Creative Writing and Understanding Cinema.

Semester – IV: Project, Advanced Ecosophical Aesthetics, Ecological Economics, Ecological Management and Sustainability.

There will be one mandatory internship during the course. The electives such as Yakshagana Appreciation, Folkloristics, Society, History and Polity, Gandhian Studies, Peace Studies etc., will be offered at different levels in the programme.

The professional possibilities include, academics and research, journalism, media and communication, socio-cultural and environmental sector and policy research.

GCPAS also engages in interdisciplinary teaching and research with a view to developing alternative knowledge systems to deal with contemporary crises.

The Centre engages in intersectionality of aesthetics, philosophy, ecology, journalism, Gandhian and peace studies.

Gandhian Studies has been a distinct area of academics in the University since 2009. The department in its present form, exists since 2014. The GCPAS is a new nomenclature, expanding its scope of academic programmes and activities, the press release stated.