PhD in History

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Seats 6

Duration 2 Years

Eligibility

Master’s degree in any field of the social sciences and humanities from a recognized institution with 55% marks or equivalent CGA. A relaxation in marks of 5% or an equivalent relaxation of grade is allowed for those belonging to SC/ST/OBC/ differently abled categories (DOPT/UGC list).

The School of Liberal Studies offers admission on an annual basis to MPhil and PhD Programmes in History. Both programmes emphasize development of research competency. Research scholars shall acquire or improve skills for effective review of and engagement with scholarship (professional or expert literature) in their chosen areas of research. They are helped to discover and apply methodologies necessary to carry out original research through a variety of sources, be they written, oral, visual or material, with a view to evolving interdisciplinary and connected engagement with historical studies. Research scholars will actively contribute to the intellectual life of the University through regular communication about research work with faculty and fellow students. The main output of history research scholars’ efforts will be a thesis (dissertation). In line with UGC guidelines, MPhil History scholars are expected to submit a thesis for examination within two years of their enrolment in the programme. PhD History scholars must submit theses within five (5) years of enrolment. Enrolment periods can be extended under conditions identified in the AUD MPhil and PhD regulations.

Brief programme description:- The course work of the Ph. D. programme consists of four courses of four credits each (total = 16 credits).

And research scholars are also expected to complete a UGC mandated course on Research and Publication Ethics of 2 credit.

The courses offered are as follows:

Course I (4 credits): Historical Methods Course Code: SLS3HS001.

This is course critically engages with traditions of history writings.

Course II (4 credits): Studying India’s Past: Traditions and New Approaches. Course Code SLS3HS002.

This course analyses approaches of history writings in South Asia.

Course III (4 credits): Research Paper I. Course Code: SLS3HS053

This is a guided reading course. Research scholars are expected to work on the secondary works (review of literature) in the field/ topic of proposed research. The essay produced at the end of the semester is to be of 8000 to 10000 words in length.

Course IV (4 credits): Research Paper II: Course Code SLS3HS054

This is also a guided reading course. Research scholars are expected to work on the primary sources of the field/ topic of proposed research. The essay produced at the end of the semester is to be of 8000 to 10000 words in length.

All research programmes are geared to promote research and train students with objective to be a good researcher. The outcome of all these programmes is to create a cadre of good scholars.

The research proposal (whether for MPhil or PhD) should be a statement of up to five double-spaced pages (1200 – 1500 words) inclusive of a formal bibliography or list of sources (single spaced). The proposal should clearly describe the theme/subject/area of the research; 6 | P a g e it should provide information about scholarly work done (or not) in the area; it should provide information about the historical or geographical or conceptual framework of the proposed research; it should identify some research questions or intended objectives of the research; and it should comment on relevant/viable methodology (i.e., methods, techniques or practices that would help the researcher fulfil the identified research objectives). Applicants taking admission to the programmes will have opportunity to revise and refine their initial proposals.

A list of applicants eligible for taking the written examination, will be uploaded to the AUD website. The exam (2 hours) presumes an applicant’s understanding of areas of historical knowledge featured in MA History programmes/syllabi of most Indian universities as well as general awareness of contemporary societal issues that ‘have a history’. The question paper may contain questions for analysis, or that test reading comprehension (interpretation/analysis of a short text given in the QP), or that invite the applicant to comment on a published work of historical scholarship. Sample question papers can be found on this admissions webpage.

Applicants who reach the interview stage (following the written examination) will be invited to discuss their proposals with the interview committee/faculty group. While focusing on an applicant’s research proposal, the interview could also be used to assess the candidate’s understanding of historical issues and/or other relevant social sciences and humanities areas.

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