Curriculum Studies

The word curriculum’ has its origin in the racing tracks of ancient Greece, to mean, quite literally, a course.

In the context of education, a curriculum is seen as an integrated course of academic studies’. It includes all learning that is planned and guided in the schooling process. 

Early sociologist Emile Durkheim once remarked that as much is taught and learnt in schools outside the established textbooks and manuals. We take curriculum here to mean that which outlines topics and concepts to be taught, as well as activities, materials, assignments and the interactions between teachers and students. 

We address some important questions in this course: What should be taught in schools? Why should it be taught? And to whom should it be taught? You will investigate the relationship between educational practice and the relationship between school programmes and society and culture. 

The course will take you through some key moments in India’s curricular history with the National Curriculum Framework, issues of languages in Indian curricula, the relationship of textbooks and power and important national policies for education. This course includes reading, course materials, group work, individual assignments and discussions.