B.A. & PHILOSOPHY
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FOR BA 2025-26
The B.A. section was long affiliated to Calcutta University since 1971, and with the
bifurcation of the CU in 2008 now the college is affiliated to the West Bengal State
University. As mainstream course, Philosophy and B.A. course go hand in hand. Each year is
divided into 2 semesters. At the end of their three year philosophy and B.A. course, they
obtain a valid Diploma certificate of philosophy and also a University recognized B.A.
certificate.
Candidates, after having successfully completed their Higher Secondary/Intermediate/PDC & their training in the minor seminary and propaedeutic Seminary are eligible for sitting in the Entrance Test conducted every year in the month of January. One must qualify for the Entrance Test for seeking admission to the Philosophy & B.A. in Morning Star College.
As per the requirement for the University, a candidate seeking admission to the college must have passes HS/IA/PDC with Four recognized subjects each with 100 Full Marks and among them English is compulsory with 100 FM. Environmental Education as a compulsory subject at HS/IA/PDC level shall not be taken into account for calculating the aggregate marks with the above-mentioned Four subjects.
A candidate with a gap of more than three years between his HS/IA/PDC and B.A. will not be eligible for admission to the B.A.
Students migrating to the West Bengal State University from the Council (Board) of Education in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand must bring a letter of authentication from the above- mentioned Council/Board in addition to their mark sheet and Migration Certificate.
General Requirements
The West Bengal State University has stipulated that four Unit Tests be conducted on every subject taught. The Unit test would contribute 20% of the marks and semester exams would be out of 80%. The 20% marks are submitted to the University. Performance in both unit tests and semester exams count for promotion.
Also, for the Scholastic Philosophical course at least one seminar paper is to be submitted in Second Year and a final dissertation paper, following scientific method of paper writing, in Third Year is compulsory. In addition to these a professor is free to given written or other forms of assignments on some subjects. All these Requirements must be fulfilled before the Final Comprehensive Examinations in the Third Year.
Scientific Research Paper/ Dissertation
At the end of their philosophy course, the philosophy students do a research paper and present it in scientific method under a moderator’s guidance. This will be a solid and concrete fruit of their philosophical search. This will be evidence of their comprehensive and critical thinking and organizing the contents into a coherent thesis. The research paper shall comprise 8000 – 10,000 words on a philosophical subject. It should be written on A4 size paper with 1.5 space. The thesis Guide shall be a member of the Philosophy Teaching staff of Morning Star College. The Dean is to be informed in writing, of the Philosophy thesis and of the Guide who directs it. The dissertation paper will be awarded, as mentioned earlier, 15% of the total aggregate of the marks. The dissertation shall be submitted by the stipulated date and in case of any delay, the dean of philosophy shall be informed by the concernedstudent with a prior approval by the respective moderator. At the completion of the thesis, a copy shall be submitted to the Dean’s office along with the copy to the moderator.
Some Guidelines for the professors regarding:
B.A. & Philosophy internal EXAMS and submission of MARKS:
Every second week there will be a unit test. Each professor will have to take FOUR UNIT TESTS consisting of 20% of the total marks of the subjects being taught. The semester exam will be held out of 80%.
PASS MARK for all the INTERNAL EXAMS both B.A. and PHILOSOPHY is 40%.
Professors will have to submit the marks of the written exams WITHIN 45 DAYS FROM THE LAST DATE OF SUBMISSION. As for oral tests, and seminars, MARKS should be submitted AS SOON AS the exam /seminar are over.
Repetition is to be fixed with the student who fails in a particular subject WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF RESULTS. A small consultation with the dean about the date fixed will avoid confusion.
In case of a failure in any subject a student is expected to arrange for repetition in the same subject in consultation with the professor concerned. This arrangement must be done soon after the results of that particular subject are announced. Only two repetitions are allowed. Failure in second attempt remains as failure.
For a Third Year student, failure marks, even after two repetitions, do not necessarily disqualify him from sitting for the Comprehensive Examinations. However, his failure marks will remain so in the progress report, even if he passes in the Comprehensive Examinations.
First Year B.A./Philosophy students are given a round of tests (written and oral) on Catechism, General Knowledge, TV News summary, Mannerism etc. during the year. toward the end of every academic year the teaching staff council sits for evaluation of the progress made by each student. In that meeting pass and failure marks in each subject, but in particular the major subjects, are considered. So is the student’s overall performance in the class. If a student fails in four or more subjects during the year, he repeats the year.
A student needs to foresee things and not to leave them for last moment. In case of absence in class for sickness or any other reason, he must inform the Dean/Principal for the class teacher. Non-compliance on the part of any student with the requirements regarding class attendance, assignments, tests and examinations is a matter of discipline which the teaching Staff discusses as and when required. Use of unfair means in internal examinations is serious offence and equally serious action is normally taken.
The Formation is joint venture of both the formators and the formees, under the guidance of the supreme Formator, that is, God Himself. Therefore, for the process of a sound formation, an ambience of mutual trust, mutual appreciation and cooperation is a must.
It is with this purpose, Morning Star College/Seminary has a Students’ Council which functions as a channel between the teaching staff and the students. The students elect their own representatives annually who communicate with the staff at least twice a year in joint staff-students’ council meeting regarding their proposals and suggestions on academic matters.
A CHANGING SCENARIO
Three Main Concerns:
i) Changed Policies / Requirements of University / UGC
ii) Opening of a Secular College on Morning Star Campus
iii) Affiliation of Morning Star Philosophy department to the Faculty of Philosophy of Jnana Deepa Institute, Pune, for obtaining B.Ph.
A. Significant Changes in reference to UGC/Upcoming College Undergraduate Course (B. A.), in Virtue of the UGc Norms
1. We are at the threshold of a new academic expedition, that is throwing open the Morning Star College to the non-seminarians / day scholars
2. Therefore, the academic curriculum changes in tune with UGC norms and requirements
3. The UGC came up with a four-year Undergraduate curriculum with an exit option after 3 years
4. Accordingly, it is
* After 4 years………
• BA with Honours:
• This enables one to go for a Master’s degree and complete it in one year
• This comprises a total of 180 credits
• Of the total, 80 credits are in the Major couse
=> BA with Honours, with a Reasearch Paper:
• This research paper carries 12 credits, besides a total of 180 credits
• This enables one to go directly for Ph.D.
* After 3 years……….
=> This confers a BA degree without Honours
=> This degree comprises a total of 120 credits, of which 60 are in the Major course
=> After 2 years ……….. Obtains a Diploma
=> After 1 year……………. Given a Certificate
5. Each credit consists of 15 classes
* a course of 4 credits can have 15 classes of non- classroom sessions like library period and co-curricular activities
6. The day’s academic schedule contains 6 periods
* each lasting one hour (08.15 – 09.15; 09.20 – 10.20; 10.40 – 1.40; 11.45 – 12.45+ 14.00 – 15.00; 15.00 – 16.00)
* however, other than the usual academic classes, manual work (Community service), games (Physical exercise), Sports / cultural competitions, library study, social work (social action), seminars, elocution, debate, conferences, and extension lectures, et cetera also would be considered as part of the academic curriculum
* For us, the 3-year degree course comprises basically
=> 2 categories of Courses: Major and Minor
=> Philosophy is the major Course
=> English and History are the Minor courses
=> For the 3 – year Major degree
• the total number of credits is 60 =>
• the total number of courses is 15 =>
=> For the 3-year degree, in the Minor courses,
• the total number of credits is 24
• the total number of courses is 8
=> Then, in the first 2 years, there are 3 Multidisciplinary courses
• of 3 credits each
• these are courses from other disciplines, like economics, commerce, statistics, and computer
=> In the first 2 years, there are 4 Ability Enhancement Courses (AEC)
• of 2 credits each
• these are Communicative English 1 & 2; Business Communication 1 & 2
=> In the first 2 year, there are 3 skill Enhancement Courses (SEC)
• Of 3 credits each
• These are courses at the discretion of the department, like personality development, et cetera
=> In the first year, there are 4 Value Added Courses (VAC) • Of 2 credits each
• They are courses like Inter-Religious Studies for Global Citizenship;
Environmental studies; Service Learning (Community Service); and Understanding the Indian Constitution.
=> In the 2 nd year, there is a Summer Internship of 2 credits
7. Year wise the Distribution of the courses is the following:
First- year:
=> First Semester:-
• 1 Major Course, of 4 credits (Philosophy Subject)
• 1 Minor Course of 4 credits (English: Compulsory, Active and Alternative; History : Ancient; Medieval & Modern)
• 1 Multidisciplinary Course
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• 1 Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)
• 2 Value Added Courses (VAC)
=> Second Semester:-
• 1 Major Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• 1 Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)
• 2 Value Added Courses (VAC)
* Second Year:
=> First Semester:-
• 2 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Multidisciplinary Course
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• 1 Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)
* Second Semester :-
• 3 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• Summer Intership of 2 credits
* Third Year:
=> First Semester:-
• 4 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
=> Second Semester:- • 4 Major Courses, of 4 dredits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
Fourth Year:
=> First Semester:-
• 4 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
=> Second Semester:-
• 4 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
B. Changes in reference to the Affiliation Process
• Basically, these subjects comprise all those subjects that pertain to the regular seminary formation
• These include primarily philosophy – ancient medieval, modern and contemporary, various branches in philosophy, psychology and spirituality as well
• These subjects are framed in view of obtaining a degree in Philosophy (B.Ph.) that is a necessity to pursue Baccalaureate in Theology
• The total number of the credits will be 180; each credit comprises of 25 periods, out of which 15 are class-room, formal transactions and the other 10 can be in the form of personal work, assignments, seminars, et cetera
• The two distinguishing categories of this main-line philosophy are Obligatory Courses and Optional Courses
• More specifically, in reference to the Jnana Deepa Faculty of Philosophy, we will be operating on four categories of subjects: Obligatory Basic (Core) Subjects (108); Obligatory Basic (Elective) Subjects (12); Supplementary Obligatory Subjects (21); Optional Additional Subjects (39)
• However, this distinction is made, not so much in the sensethat the optional courses can be skipped; rather, the optional courses are more generic and generalized, while the optional courses can be specific and shorter
• whatever be the kind of course, the main objective is a holistic formation, that caters to and fosters all the dimensions of formation, namely, the human, intellectual and pastoral.
Candidates, after having successfully completed their Higher Secondary/Intermediate/PDC & their training in the minor seminary and propaedeutic Seminary are eligible for sitting in the Entrance Test conducted every year in the month of January. One must qualify for the Entrance Test for seeking admission to the Philosophy & B.A. in Morning Star College.
As per the requirement for the University, a candidate seeking admission to the college must have passes HS/IA/PDC with Four recognized subjects each with 100 Full Marks and among them English is compulsory with 100 FM. Environmental Education as a compulsory subject at HS/IA/PDC level shall not be taken into account for calculating the aggregate marks with the above-mentioned Four subjects.
A candidate with a gap of more than three years between his HS/IA/PDC and B.A. will not be eligible for admission to the B.A.
Students migrating to the West Bengal State University from the Council (Board) of Education in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand must bring a letter of authentication from the above- mentioned Council/Board in addition to their mark sheet and Migration Certificate.
General Requirements
The West Bengal State University has stipulated that four Unit Tests be conducted on every subject taught. The Unit test would contribute 20% of the marks and semester exams would be out of 80%. The 20% marks are submitted to the University. Performance in both unit tests and semester exams count for promotion.
Also, for the Scholastic Philosophical course at least one seminar paper is to be submitted in Second Year and a final dissertation paper, following scientific method of paper writing, in Third Year is compulsory. In addition to these a professor is free to given written or other forms of assignments on some subjects. All these Requirements must be fulfilled before the Final Comprehensive Examinations in the Third Year.
Scientific Research Paper/ Dissertation
At the end of their philosophy course, the philosophy students do a research paper and present it in scientific method under a moderator’s guidance. This will be a solid and concrete fruit of their philosophical search. This will be evidence of their comprehensive and critical thinking and organizing the contents into a coherent thesis. The research paper shall comprise 8000 – 10,000 words on a philosophical subject. It should be written on A4 size paper with 1.5 space. The thesis Guide shall be a member of the Philosophy Teaching staff of Morning Star College. The Dean is to be informed in writing, of the Philosophy thesis and of the Guide who directs it. The dissertation paper will be awarded, as mentioned earlier, 15% of the total aggregate of the marks. The dissertation shall be submitted by the stipulated date and in case of any delay, the dean of philosophy shall be informed by the concernedstudent with a prior approval by the respective moderator. At the completion of the thesis, a copy shall be submitted to the Dean’s office along with the copy to the moderator.
Some Guidelines for the professors regarding:
B.A. & Philosophy internal EXAMS and submission of MARKS:
Every second week there will be a unit test. Each professor will have to take FOUR UNIT TESTS consisting of 20% of the total marks of the subjects being taught. The semester exam will be held out of 80%.
PASS MARK for all the INTERNAL EXAMS both B.A. and PHILOSOPHY is 40%.
Professors will have to submit the marks of the written exams WITHIN 45 DAYS FROM THE LAST DATE OF SUBMISSION. As for oral tests, and seminars, MARKS should be submitted AS SOON AS the exam /seminar are over.
Repetition is to be fixed with the student who fails in a particular subject WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF RESULTS. A small consultation with the dean about the date fixed will avoid confusion.
In case of a failure in any subject a student is expected to arrange for repetition in the same subject in consultation with the professor concerned. This arrangement must be done soon after the results of that particular subject are announced. Only two repetitions are allowed. Failure in second attempt remains as failure.
For a Third Year student, failure marks, even after two repetitions, do not necessarily disqualify him from sitting for the Comprehensive Examinations. However, his failure marks will remain so in the progress report, even if he passes in the Comprehensive Examinations.
First Year B.A./Philosophy students are given a round of tests (written and oral) on Catechism, General Knowledge, TV News summary, Mannerism etc. during the year. toward the end of every academic year the teaching staff council sits for evaluation of the progress made by each student. In that meeting pass and failure marks in each subject, but in particular the major subjects, are considered. So is the student’s overall performance in the class. If a student fails in four or more subjects during the year, he repeats the year.
A student needs to foresee things and not to leave them for last moment. In case of absence in class for sickness or any other reason, he must inform the Dean/Principal for the class teacher. Non-compliance on the part of any student with the requirements regarding class attendance, assignments, tests and examinations is a matter of discipline which the teaching Staff discusses as and when required. Use of unfair means in internal examinations is serious offence and equally serious action is normally taken.
The Formation is joint venture of both the formators and the formees, under the guidance of the supreme Formator, that is, God Himself. Therefore, for the process of a sound formation, an ambience of mutual trust, mutual appreciation and cooperation is a must.
It is with this purpose, Morning Star College/Seminary has a Students’ Council which functions as a channel between the teaching staff and the students. The students elect their own representatives annually who communicate with the staff at least twice a year in joint staff-students’ council meeting regarding their proposals and suggestions on academic matters.
A CHANGING SCENARIO
Three Main Concerns:
i) Changed Policies / Requirements of University / UGC
ii) Opening of a Secular College on Morning Star Campus
iii) Affiliation of Morning Star Philosophy department to the Faculty of Philosophy of Jnana Deepa Institute, Pune, for obtaining B.Ph.
A. Significant Changes in reference to UGC/Upcoming College Undergraduate Course (B. A.), in Virtue of the UGc Norms
1. We are at the threshold of a new academic expedition, that is throwing open the Morning Star College to the non-seminarians / day scholars
2. Therefore, the academic curriculum changes in tune with UGC norms and requirements
3. The UGC came up with a four-year Undergraduate curriculum with an exit option after 3 years
4. Accordingly, it is
* After 4 years………
• BA with Honours:
• This enables one to go for a Master’s degree and complete it in one year
• This comprises a total of 180 credits
• Of the total, 80 credits are in the Major couse
=> BA with Honours, with a Reasearch Paper:
• This research paper carries 12 credits, besides a total of 180 credits
• This enables one to go directly for Ph.D.
* After 3 years……….
=> This confers a BA degree without Honours
=> This degree comprises a total of 120 credits, of which 60 are in the Major course
=> After 2 years ……….. Obtains a Diploma
=> After 1 year……………. Given a Certificate
5. Each credit consists of 15 classes
* a course of 4 credits can have 15 classes of non- classroom sessions like library period and co-curricular activities
6. The day’s academic schedule contains 6 periods
* each lasting one hour (08.15 – 09.15; 09.20 – 10.20; 10.40 – 1.40; 11.45 – 12.45+ 14.00 – 15.00; 15.00 – 16.00)
* however, other than the usual academic classes, manual work (Community service), games (Physical exercise), Sports / cultural competitions, library study, social work (social action), seminars, elocution, debate, conferences, and extension lectures, et cetera also would be considered as part of the academic curriculum
* For us, the 3-year degree course comprises basically
=> 2 categories of Courses: Major and Minor
=> Philosophy is the major Course
=> English and History are the Minor courses
=> For the 3 – year Major degree
• the total number of credits is 60 =>
• the total number of courses is 15 =>
=> For the 3-year degree, in the Minor courses,
• the total number of credits is 24
• the total number of courses is 8
=> Then, in the first 2 years, there are 3 Multidisciplinary courses
• of 3 credits each
• these are courses from other disciplines, like economics, commerce, statistics, and computer
=> In the first 2 years, there are 4 Ability Enhancement Courses (AEC)
• of 2 credits each
• these are Communicative English 1 & 2; Business Communication 1 & 2
=> In the first 2 year, there are 3 skill Enhancement Courses (SEC)
• Of 3 credits each
• These are courses at the discretion of the department, like personality development, et cetera
=> In the first year, there are 4 Value Added Courses (VAC) • Of 2 credits each
• They are courses like Inter-Religious Studies for Global Citizenship;
Environmental studies; Service Learning (Community Service); and Understanding the Indian Constitution.
=> In the 2 nd year, there is a Summer Internship of 2 credits
7. Year wise the Distribution of the courses is the following:
First- year:
=> First Semester:-
• 1 Major Course, of 4 credits (Philosophy Subject)
• 1 Minor Course of 4 credits (English: Compulsory, Active and Alternative; History : Ancient; Medieval & Modern)
• 1 Multidisciplinary Course
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• 1 Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)
• 2 Value Added Courses (VAC)
=> Second Semester:-
• 1 Major Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• 1 Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)
• 2 Value Added Courses (VAC)
* Second Year:
=> First Semester:-
• 2 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Multidisciplinary Course
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• 1 Skill Enhancement Course (SEC)
* Second Semester :-
• 3 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
• 1 Ability Enhancement Course (AEC)
• Summer Intership of 2 credits
* Third Year:
=> First Semester:-
• 4 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
=> Second Semester:- • 4 Major Courses, of 4 dredits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
Fourth Year:
=> First Semester:-
• 4 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
=> Second Semester:-
• 4 Major Courses, of 4 credits each
• 1 Minor Course, of 4 credits
B. Changes in reference to the Affiliation Process
• Basically, these subjects comprise all those subjects that pertain to the regular seminary formation
• These include primarily philosophy – ancient medieval, modern and contemporary, various branches in philosophy, psychology and spirituality as well
• These subjects are framed in view of obtaining a degree in Philosophy (B.Ph.) that is a necessity to pursue Baccalaureate in Theology
• The total number of the credits will be 180; each credit comprises of 25 periods, out of which 15 are class-room, formal transactions and the other 10 can be in the form of personal work, assignments, seminars, et cetera
• The two distinguishing categories of this main-line philosophy are Obligatory Courses and Optional Courses
• More specifically, in reference to the Jnana Deepa Faculty of Philosophy, we will be operating on four categories of subjects: Obligatory Basic (Core) Subjects (108); Obligatory Basic (Elective) Subjects (12); Supplementary Obligatory Subjects (21); Optional Additional Subjects (39)
• However, this distinction is made, not so much in the sensethat the optional courses can be skipped; rather, the optional courses are more generic and generalized, while the optional courses can be specific and shorter
• whatever be the kind of course, the main objective is a holistic formation, that caters to and fosters all the dimensions of formation, namely, the human, intellectual and pastoral.