GE3791 HUMAN VALUES AND ETHICS LT P C
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course aims to provide a broad understanding about the modern values and ethical principles that have
evolved and are enshrined in the Constitution of India with regard to the democratic, secular and scientific
aspects. The course is designed for undergraduate students so that they could study, understand and apply
these values in their day to day life.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To create awareness about values and ethics enshrined in the Constitution of India
To sensitize students about the democratic values to be upheld in the modern society.
To inculcate respect for all people irrespective of their religion or other affiliations.
To instill the scientific temper in the students’ minds and develop their critical thinking.
To promote sense of responsibility and understanding of the duties of citizen.
UNIT I DEMOCRATIC VALUES 6
Understanding Democratic values: Equality, Liberty, Fraternity, Freedom, Justice, Pluralism, Tolerance,
Respect for All, Freedom of Expression, Citizen Participation in Governance – World Democracies:
French Revolution, American Independence, Indian Freedom Movement. Reading Text: Excerpts from
John Stuart Mills’ On Liberty
UNIT II SECULAR VALUES 6
Understanding Secular values – Interpretation of secularism in Indian context - Disassociation of state
from religion – Acceptance of all faiths – Encouraging non-discriminatory practices. Reading Text:
Excerpt from Secularism in India: Concept and Practice by Ram Puniyani
UNIT III SCIENTIFIC VALUES 6
Scientific thinking and method: Inductive and Deductive thinking, Proposing and testing Hypothesis,
Validating facts using evidence based approach – Skepticism and Empiricism – Rationalism and Scientific
Temper.
Reading Text: Excerpt from The Scientific Temper by Antony Michaelis R
UNIT IV SOCIAL ETHICS 6
Application of ethical reasoning to social problems – Gender bias and issues – Gender violence – Social
discrimination – Constitutional protection and policies – Inclusive practices.
Reading Text: Excerpt from 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
UNIT V SCIENTIFIC ETHICS 6
Transparency and Fairness in scientific pursuits – Scientific inventions for the betterment of society -
Unfair application of scientific inventions – Role and Responsibility of Scientist in the modern society.
Reading Text: Excerpt from American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of [Link] Oppenheimer
by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
TOTAL: 30 PERIODS
REFERENCES:
1. The Nonreligious: Understanding Secular People and Societies, Luke W. Galen Oxford University
Press, 2016.
2. Secularism: A Dictionary of Atheism, Bullivant, Stephen; Lee, Lois, Oxford University Press, 2016.
3. The Oxford Handbook of Secularism, John R. Shook, Oxford University Press, 2017.
4. The Civic Culture: Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations by Gabriel A. Almond and
Sidney Verba, Princeton University Press,
5. Research Methodology for Natural Sciences by Soumitro Banerjee, IISc Press, January 2022
COURSE OUTCOMES
Students will be able to
CO1 : Identify the importance of democratic, secular and scientific values in harmonious functioning
of social life
CO2 : Practice democratic and scientific values in both their personal and professional life.
CO3 : Find rational solutions to social problems.
CO4 : Behave in an ethical manner in society
CO5 : Practice critical thinking and the pursuit of truth.