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Bachelor of Arts (Hons) with Research

A Bachelor degree in Arts (Hons) with Research or B.A (Hons) with Research is an Undergraduate program in the School of Liberal Arts and Design Studies. The B.A (Hons) with Research program finds its roots in the field of Liberal Arts.

The Honors program allows students to explore independent and creative work. Such a program has varied advantages like enhanced skills and knowledge in the area of specialization and increased expertise in the field of study. This is achieved by performing research on specialized areas under the supervision of an experienced professor.

On completion of the B.A (Hons) with Research program, Vidyashilp University graduates have the advantage of a direct admission to a Ph.D program as per the NEP, which is exclusive to the best B.A colleges in Bangalore.

Major:  Economics
    Psychology
Minor:  Data Science
    Economics
    Marketing
    Psychology
    Finance
    Design

4

Years

DOMAIN EXPERTISE


Integrated Education

Liberal Arts made up the basic educational system in Greece and has developed from ancient times where grammar, rhetoric and logic were the main elements to far more specialized fields today. A Liberal Arts education offers an expansive intellectual grounding in all kinds of humanistic inquiry. “Liberal Arts education is a vital foundation for both individual flourishing and the well-being of our society.” Christopher Eisgruber, President, Princeton University.

Keeping the essence intact Liberal Arts does not focus on subject knowledge alone but looks at the holistic development of the graduate by fostering creative and independent thinking through a holistic educational system. Dr. Krishnan, Education Specialist, states that “Education is something that should prepare you to lead a successful life (whatever measure of success you go by), not merely equip you with half the skills and knowledge required to find your place in some industry and survive paycheque to paycheque.”

The ideologies of Liberal Arts and Vidyashilp University’s attributes are closely linked. An interdisciplinary culture is the need of the hour in India and Vidyashilp offers the same. Student-teacher relationships are built and encouraged for a smooth University experience. These ideologies help break the chains of structured knowledge and help the graduate in exploring wider views of critical thinking and question existing ideologies at an individual capacity. This broader form of thinking and possession of real-world skills creates leaders of tomorrow.

Why VU for B.A?

Mentored academic and research experience

The program is focused on enabling students to develop their skills, explore their interests, and pursue excellence in learning right from the time they step into the University. It shapes minds and broadens horizons, while nurturing students to understand research design and methodology from the perspective of an experienced researcher. The emphasis lies on providing students and early-career researchers with the support they need to absorb the rigors of research and succeed in their chosen domains.

Focus on developing statistical literacy

Statistical literacy is critical thinking about arguments that use statistics as evidence. A liberal education involves the capacity to understand ideas and issues in context. A key goal of statistical literacy is helping students understand statistical associations in a given context of observational studies. It helps one answer the question asked of most statistics: “What does this mean?”

Open choice academic system

This open choice based credit system gives the students the liberty to choose from a variety of related courses and electives offered as well as take up open electives online in case such is not offered within the University.

Program Structure


4 YEARS

8 SEMESTERS

164 CREDITS


 
University Core 18

  • Overview of Learning Methods
  • Speaking and Presentation Skills
  • Design Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Academic and Business Writing
  • Indian Society and Culture/Performing Arts/Sports
  • Personality and Leadership Skills
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Engagement Experience
Program Foundation 32

  • English Language - I
  • English Language - II
  • Introduction to Statistics and Data Analysis
  • Data Analysis Project
  • Introduction to Economics
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • English Writings-Select Readings
  • Environmental Science and Sustainable Development
  • Language
  • Tracing Economics: Kautilya to now
  • Globalization: Economic and Social Perspectives
  • Indian Psychology
  • Foundation Seminar
  • Professional Ethics and Human Values
  • Program Teaching internship
Major 52

Psychology
  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Statistics and Research Methodology
  • Biological Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Experimental Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Development of Psychological Thought
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Psychological Testing and Measurement
  • Positive Psychology
  • Emerging Topics in Psychology
Economics
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
  • Mathematical Economics
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Statistics and Research Methodology
  • Fundamentals of Finance
  • Introduction to Econometrics
  • Public Economics
  • International Economics
  • Economics of Growth and Development
  • History of Economic Thought
  • Indian Economy
  • Behavioural Economics
  • Emerging Topics in Economics
Specialization Tracks 20

Track A (Counselling)

  • Counselling Psychology
  • Counselling Theories and Techniques
  • Counselling Skills
  • Group Counselling Techniques
  • Psychology of Individual Differences
  • Professional Development
  • Personality Psychology

TRACK B (Clinical)

  • History of Clinical Psychology
  • Psychotherapy
  • Diagnostic Lab
  • Multicultural and Therapeutic skills
  • Asian Healing Practise
  • Psychosocial Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neuropsychology

TRACK C (Cognitive)

  • Introduction to Cognition
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Mathematical Foundations of Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of the Mind and Cognitive Science
  • Emotions and Decision making
  • Language Computations
  • Computation and Cognition

Track A (Behavioural and Nudge)

  • Advanced Behavioural Economics
  • Behavioural Finance
  • Experimental Economics
  • Neuroeconomics
  • Economics of Informal Markets
  • Digital Economics
  • Monetary Economics

TRACK B (Development)

  • Economics of Informal Markets
  • Gender Economics
  • Industrial Economics
  • Agricultural Economics
  • Economics of Health and Education
  • Digital Economics
  • Monetary Economics

TRACK C (Development)

  • Business Economics
  • Financial Economics
  • Advanced Econometrics
  • International Finance
  • Experimental Economics
  • Digital Economics
  • Monetary Economics

Open / Minor 24

Data Science

  • Introduction to Data Science
  • Data Analysis and Visualization
  • Data Science Project
  • Introduction to Machine Learning
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Data Science for Psychologists
  • Data Science for Economics
  • Applications of Deep Learning

Economics

  • Introduction to Microeconomics
  • Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • Indian Economy
  • Intermediate Microeconomics
  • Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • Development Economics
  • Behavioural Economics
  • International Economics

Marketing

  • Principles of Business
  • Introduction to Digital Marketing
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Services Marketing
  • Integrated Marketing Communications
  • Brand Management
  • Marketing Research
  • Digital Product Management

Psychology

  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Development of Psychological Thought
  • Biological Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Integrative Practicum

Finance

  • Principles of Business
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Management
  • Essentials of Business Management
  • Financial Economics
  • Financial Services
  • Introduction to Blockchain for Financial Services
  • Behavioural Finance

Design

  • Culture of Design
  • Process of Design
  • Design Research
  • Design for Communication
  • Experience Design
  • Social Design
  • Design your life
  • Design Project

Instead of specified Minor, the student may prefer to a accrue the required credits (minimum 24) by choosing a variety of courses from the prescribed open courses. Typically, Open courses must be taken from domains other than the chosen Major. For example, if the chosen Major is Psychology, then courses cannot be taken from the Psychology tracks. Open courses may be taken from Design, Data Science, etc.

Research / Internship / Projects 18

A. Honors Program:

A student who chooses the Honors Program needs to accrue the 18 credits through a combination of the following courses;

  • Summer-Break Internship
  • Integrative Project (combination of Major and Minor Domains)
  • Minor Project
  • Industry Internship or,
  • Capstone Project
B. Honors with Research Program:

A student who chooses the Honors with Research Program needs to accrue the 18 credits through a combination of the following courses;

  • Mandatory Additional Course - Advanced Research Methodology
  • Summer-Break Internship
  • Integrative Project (combination of Major and Minor Domains)
  • Industry Based Research Project or,
  • Research Dissertation

Sample Careers


  • Those with a foundation in Psychology can explore jobs in various sectors such as medical and related health services, schools and other educational institutions, special education and institutes of National importance, governmental organizations, businesses including MNC's and non-profit organizations as well as start-up independent practices
  • Graduates with a Psychology major can look at Masters in any field of Psychology, Human Resources, Social Studies and related fields of Education, Management Studies, Organizational Behaviour, Marketing and Advertising, Data Sciences
  • Students can opt for one year Master’s program and are also eligible for a direct entry into Ph.D. programs.
  • Those looking at a Clinical Psychology field can look at a direct entry into an M.Phil program at an RCI recognized institute.
  • With an Economics degree from Vidyashilp University apart from looking at higher learning in India as well as abroad, graduates are eligible for various roles in businesses and corporates including jobs in the public and private sector, government, non-profits, law, and International relations, as well as in academic roles
  • They could act as Financial Advisors, Analysts or Examiners, Statisticians in large organizations, Healthcare Specialists, play a role in public reforms or be part of the National Security Program
  • The field of Economics also gives graduates the opportunity to look at jobs as a Credit Analyst, Operations and Research Analyst, Budget Analyzer and Environmental Economist. Careers can be spread to the stock markets and banking / loan sectors as well

Sample Internships

As part of the Undergraduate program the students will be exposed to internships which will help develop skill based learning of the field of choice. Students will be in a position to assist and observe heads of various organizations and gain hands-on experience of the field in the process. Such exposure will bring about the transference of learning, development of work skills as well as the development of self that would increase individualism and employability hence leading to lasting success. Students through Internships would find entry into MNC’s like Amazon, Google, IBM, EY, McKinsey or NGO’s like Teach for India, UNICEF , World Vision or other renowned organizations like WHO, WWF etc. Internships could also range in type depending on the interests of the student. Those interested in sports and fitness could enter National bodies like Sports Authority of India, CULT, IPL etc. Those interested in Psychology and gaming could look at internships in the gaming industry.

Eligibility

National/State Boards

10+2 cleared (minimum 50%) from a recognised Board


IB

IB Diploma or IB Certificate (minimum 24 points)

A Level

Minimum 3 subjects in the ‘A’ Level and 5 subjects cleared in IGCSE/GCSE

Admission

Applicants ranking in the merit list will be invited for a Personal Interview.


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