The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has introduced several new topics into its Sociology curriculum. The university’s Board of Studies has approved courses designed to bring contemporary social and political issues directly into the classroom.
The most significant discussion surrounds the introduction of courses centered on "Modi-ism" and the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This is being viewed as a major shift in the teaching of Sociology at the university level.
What is Included in ‘Modi-ism’?
The "Modi-ism" course primarily emphasizes the personality, leadership style, and governance of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Students will study his methodology, communication strategies, and the impact of his policies through a sociological lens.
Additionally, the course will cover major initiatives such as "Make in India" and their broader social implications.
Detailed Study of the RSS
A key component of the revised syllabus is a detailed study of the RSS. Students will learn about the organization’s origins, history, and its influence on socio-cultural development.
Specialized lectures will focus on cultural nationalism, environmental conservation, and the organization’s role in India’s independence movement. The curriculum also emphasizes understanding the RSS’s structural framework and its functions as a non-profit organization.
Expansion of Intellectual Heritage
The Board of Studies has approved a total of four new courses, structured to strengthen students' understanding of India’s social and intellectual heritage:
Pioneering Personalities: This section will cover the philosophies of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Sri Aurobindo, and B.R. Ambedkar. It will also examine the governance and reforms of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
Nationalism: A dedicated segment aimed at refining students' conceptual understanding of the nation and the state.
University Response
Dr. Birendrasinh, Head of the Sociology Department, stated that the new curriculum was developed to help students better navigate current social and political landscapes.
He noted that students have shown increasing interest in governance after engaging in research with government policy institutions like NITI Aayog. Therefore, formally integrating these subjects into the curriculum was considered a natural progression.
University administration believes these changes will enhance the relevance of Sociology in the context of modern realities.
