As inquiry and discovery are crossing disciplines, Far-Western University (FWU) has taken a step to introduce an interdisciplinary MPhil/Ph.D. program. With regular and intensive coursework, the program will span across traditional disciplines and support students in developing knowledge and skills for independent research on the fundamental issues and experiences of human civilization. The program is designed to provide self-directed students with academic training at the highest level of scholarship, which would develop their ability to integrate principles and theories from different disciplines using approaches, methods, ethical principles, and tools to pursue research inquiry.
The purpose of the program is to prepare students to conduct a significant scholarly inquiry into the relation of inter and cross-disciplinary processes. Students, therefore, will be exposed to a variety of research methods and approaches and invited to explore insights into varied processes and practices that have been advanced by a wide array of intellectual traditions and theoretical conversations.
Eligibility
The applicants must have a master's degree (preferably in Education) from Far Western University or any university recognized by FWU with at least 3.0 CGPA out of 4.0 or second division in aggregate. The applicants are also required to appear for the written entrance examination and an interview.
Students applying for coursework MPhil/Ph.D. programs will be required to submit the following documents:
Official/attested transcripts of all previous academic works from undergraduate degree onwards;
Statement of purpose of 500 words;
Writing sample (a research paper) of 1000-1500 words.
Applicants will be evaluated according to their previous academic records, recommendations, the quality and appropriateness of their statement of purpose, writing samples, performance in the entrance examination/comprehensive test.
Admission Criteria
Students applying for MPhil/Ph.D. program should have completed a Master's or MPhil in a relevant field. The initial screening of the prospective students will be done on the basis of a writing sample and a statement of purpose submitted along with a completed admission form provided by the university. Eligible students will then have to appear for an entrance examination administered by the university if they are joining the course-based MPhil/Ph.D. program. Those with the Mphil degree will be registered to the Ph.D. program based on the recommendation, statement of purpose, writing sample, and the results of the comprehensive test. The selection will be on the basis of merit and the number of seats available.
Curricular Structure
The MPhil/Ph.D. program will be based on coursework culminating into thesis/ dissertation writing with cross-faculty academic engagement along with a possibility of inter-faculty grade transfer in relevant domains. The total credit hours required to complete the MPhil/Ph.D. programs are 30 and 60 respectively. The first and the second semester will consist of 4 courses of 3 credit hours each (12+12=24 credits). Students may carry out an independent study or project work equivalent to one 3-credit-course in the second semester. In the third semester, students will work towards completion of the MPhil/Ph.D program, students can opt for at least one course offered in another discipline with a provision of internal grade transfer. Students who have completed their MPhil coursework can apply for the Ph.D. program if they meet the academic requirements.
Grading System
Far Western University’s evaluation follows a grade point system. Students are evaluated on a scale of 4 (four). The grade point equivalence with marks, letters, and words is given below. Students acquiring a minimum grade of 3.0 points will only be entitled to the award of the degree. There will, however, be a provision of grade improvement in a maximum of two courses to meet the degree requirement. The MPhil/PhD program of Far Western University follows the following grading system:
|
Grade point |
Marks |
Letter Grade |
Words |
|
4.0 |
90 - 100 |
A |
Dean’s list |
|
3.7 - 3.99 |
85 - 89.5 |
A- |
Distinction |
|
3.3 – 3.69 |
80 – 84.9 |
B+ |
First Division |
|
3.0 – 3.29 |
75 – 79.9 |
B |
Second Division |
|
2.7 – 2.99 |
70 – 74.9 |
B- |
Passed in individual subject |
|
2.3 – 2.69 |
65 – 69.9 |
C+ |
Passed in individual subject |
|
2.0 – 2.29 |
60 – 64.9 |
C |
Passes in individual subject |
|
Below 60 |
Incomplete |
F |
|
MPhil/Ph.D. Courses in English (Subject to modifications as and when required)
The program will encompass (but not limited to) the following broad categories and their subsets:
|
Course Code |
Title |
|
Engl. 600 |
Rhetoric and Writing Studies (Mandatory) |
|
Engl. 600.1 |
Advanced Graduate Writing |
|
Engl. 605 |
Research Design and Dissertation Writing (Mandatory) |
|
Engl. 610 |
Western and Non-western Literature |
|
Engl. 620 |
Cultural and Intellectual Traditions |
|
Engl. 620.1 |
Western Intellectual and Spiritual Tradition |
|
Engl. 630 |
Interdisciplinary Studies |
|
Engl. 630.1 |
Environmental Discourse: Literary and Visual |
|
Engl. 640 |
Literature and Literary Studies |
|
Engl. 645 |
Race, Class and Gender Studies |
|
Engl. 645.1 |
Power, Class, and Caste: Texts and Contexts |
|
Engl. 655 |
Social Sciences: The Study of Life |
|
Engl. 665 |
Visual Studies |
|
Engl. 675 |
Translation Studies |
|
Engl. 680 |
Individual Authors/Genres/Periods |
|
Engl. 690 |
Knowledge and Pedagogy |
|
Engl. 698 |
Independent Study |
|
Engl. 699 |
Project Work: Asserting Indigenous Knowledge |
|
Engl. 700 |
Thesis/Dissertation |