BACHELOR OF ARTS (B.A.)
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is an undergraduate academic degree that typically takes three years to complete. The BA degree is awarded in various fields of study, such as humanities, social sciences, languages, and fine arts. The primary objective of a BA degree is to provide students with a broad-based education that enhances critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Students pursuing a BA degree are typically required to take courses in a variety of subjects, including English, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. They may also choose to specialize in a particular field of study by completing a concentration or major. Students are required to take courses in their major field of study, as well as minor, skill based and generic courses. A BA degree is often considered a more flexible degree than a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, as it allows students to pursue a wider range of academic interests. Graduates with a BA degree may go on to pursue careers in fields such as education, journalism, social work, law, and public service. Students also choose to pursue further education by enrolling in post-graduate programs in their field of study, such as a Master of Arts or Doctorate degree.
The outcome of the BA Programme:
In general, a Bachelor of Arts degree program is designed to provide students with a broad-based education in the humanities, social sciences, and other liberal arts disciplines. Some common program outcomes for a Bachelor of Arts degree may include:
- i. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Graduates should be able to analyze complex issues and problems, evaluate evidence, and make informed decisions.
- ii. Cognitive Skills: Our students, studying a combination of subjects offered by the institution develop a sharp consciousness of history, society, culture and the political legacy of our country. The programme helps make our students aware of our sociological, cultural and religious diversity and harmony. The cognitive skills acquired therefore, will help the students to develop outlook regarding contemporary society, local, national and international.
- iii. Employment Skills: Employability remains at the very core of the programme. Upon completion of the degree, our students will be employable in the fields of journalism, hospitality, law, advertisement, theatre, education, tourism, horticulture and various other industries. The programme emphasizes on developing reading, writing and comprehension skills which make the students fit and eligible for jobs in the government and non-government sectors. A broad spectrum study of various subjects helps the compete in various examinations for employment after graduation.
- iv. Affective and Behavioral Values: Humanities play a great role in inculcating values in the students. Our students are highly aware of environment, hygiene, and other aspects of social responsibility. Various activities during the three year programme; social, religious, political and cultural, help shape personalities who understand and appreciate religious and cultural diversity and plurality.
- v. Effective communication skills: Graduates should be able to express themselves clearly and persuasively in written and oral communication.
- vi. Research skills: Graduates should be able to locate, evaluate, and use information from a variety of sources.
- vii. Cultural awareness and understanding: Graduates should be able to appreciate and understand diverse cultural perspectives and experiences.
- viii. Ethical reasoning: Graduates should be able to identify ethical issues and use ethical reasoning to make decisions.
- ix. Interdisciplinary knowledge: Graduates should have a broad-based understanding of a range of disciplines within the humanities, social sciences, and other liberal arts fields.
- x. Life-long learning skills: Graduates should be equipped with the skills and motivation to continue learning and adapting to new situations throughout their lives.
The interdisciplinary nature of the courseware allows you to explore a wide variety of inputs. The students interested in Arts and Humanities can study how the human brain shapes creativity. Overall, a Bachelor of Arts degree is designed to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and skills that can be applied in a variety of careers and settings, including business, education, government, and the non-profit sector.
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Rajiv Gandhi Government Degree College Chaura Maidan Shimla offers the degree Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication that equips students with a comprehensive understanding of the field and prepares them for diverse careers in media, communication, and related industries. The Department was established in 2010 in the college offering Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma courses in Journalism and Mass Communication which students could acquire simultaneously with their undergraduate degrees in any stream i.e., BA, B. Com, and B.Sc. In the year 2011, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of this college started offering Journalism and Mass Communication as an elective subject in BA as per the directions of the Department of Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh.
In the year 2013, the department started offering a bachelor's degree in arts with Journalism and mass communication as a major or minor subject under the choice-based credit system on the directions of the Himachal Pradesh University. On the directions of Himachal Pradesh University, the department's programme structure and curriculum underwent significant changes in 2016 and 2018 by adopting the UGC-based Choice Based Credit System. At present, the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication offers an undergraduate programme of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with Journalism and Mass Communication as a major or minor subject. The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication degree provides students with a strong foundation in media literacy, critical thinking, ethical practices, and practical skills required for a successful career in journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, digital media, and other related fields