The common curriculum, one of the important components of the 4‑year Undergraduate Programmes at Azim Premji University will introduce students to the study of the themes that emphasise and build:

• Critical thinking and Analytical abilities
• Sensibilities for dialogue and reflection
• Co-operative learning.

While these capacities evolve and develop over a lifetime, the common curriculum is expected to be a rich initiation into this process. The common curriculum also prepares them with the skills to effectively engage as members of society.

Curricular Components

While the 4‑year programme curriculum will rigorously train students in a discipline of their choice in a manner that prepares them for employment stemming from the discipline or further study, the common curriculum provides students with skills and competencies for the 21^st century as part of their undergraduate learning experience. 

The common curriculum also allows students to fully experience a multidisciplinary higher education environment and has the following components. 

FOUNDATIONS

Communication: The ability to critically engage with ideas and to express one’s thought with felicity and flair is supported by exposure to language and writing of exemplary quality.

Drawing from literary and technical writing , students will engage with and develop critical reading and analytical ability through a set of courses spread across Semesters 1 and 2. Effective writing and oral communication will be encouraged though the course work.

Reasoning and critical reflection: The common curriculum will include a few courses, that emphasise critical thinking, logic and argument, public reasoning and open-ended dialogue around social and personal issues. The nature, similarities and differences between scientific, social scientific and humanistic thought will be addressed.

Courses :

• Critical Reading and Writing (In Semesters 1 and 2),
• Public Reasoning (Semester 2)

CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS

We relate to the world not only through the intellect but also with our bodies and creative abilities. In this set of courses and workshops, you will explore aesthetic, physical and expressive traditions.

Introducing students to the dimensions of multi-modal understanding through work and play in activities seemingly as diverse as sport, games, dance, pottery, farming, martial arts and theatre will be a key part of this section of the common curriculum.

Courses in the ambit of this section are likely to be designed as short workshops in an artistic domain of the student’s choice.

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UNDERSTANDING INDIA

In these courses, we will explore the nature and diversity of the Indian experience. We study the vast diversity of historical, cultural and linguistic aspects that define Indianness. You will learn to understand how the subcontinent has changed in its environment, across geography, geology and territory.

We will think together about debates on the people who live here, their culture, and the larger questions around population and inequality. Most importantly, we examine the many structures that organise Indian society.

The Understanding India component has the following courses.

• The Many Pasts of India Present
• Who is Indian
• The Measure of India (using the lens of statistics)