Ashoka Scholars Programme in History

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Ashoka Scholars Programme in History

Ashoka University offers a year-long Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research (DipASR) to students who have completed the three-year Bachelor’s Programme, during which students can take a wide range of elective options across a variety of subjects, as well as gain valuable research experience in specific disciplines. Students must complete 32 credits to graduate from the ASP and may choose to complete an advanced major in a particular discipline or may choose to study subjects across disciplines.

About ASP in the Department of History

For the History Department, the Ashoka Scholars Programme comprises the History Advanced Major. This extra year is aimed at initiating students into the world of historical research and critical writing. The Capstone Thesis – an original piece of writing based on rigorous primary research – is at the core of this year-long programme. Students are also enrolled in a two-part course – Sources and Histories – that is taught by practitioners of the discipline. It is woven around weekly seminars on different kinds of primary sources. 

  • Credit requirements for History Advanced Major (Provisions for academic year 2021-22)

    The minimum credit requirement for History Advanced Major is 24. Students registered for History Advanced Major can enrol for a maximum of 44 credits; anything above 44 credits will not count towards the History Advanced Major degree or appear on the transcript.

    There are two mandatory course requirements for pursuing History Advanced Major:

    • HIS-4983. History Capstone Thesis (16 credits)
    • HIS-4001 (Monsoon semester) & HIS-4002 (Spring semester). Sources and Histories (4+4=8 credits)

    For further details about the timeline for the Capstone Thesis, the course content of Sources and Histories, the provisions for Teaching Practicum (TA) and course audit, please consult the History Handbook. Interested students can also contact the History ASP Coordinator, Dr Aparna Vaidik.

History Department Handbook

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More About Ashoka Scholars' Programme

All undergraduates graduating with Bachelor’s Degrees at the end of their third year, or who have completed by that time at least academic 92 credits of their degree programme, are eligible for admission into the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research programme, also known as the Ashoka Scholars Programme (ASP). Students who need to complete up to 8 credits of their undergraduate degree must do so within the first semester of the ASP. All students who fall into either of these categories must formally apply for admission to the ASP towards the end of the Spring semester of their third year. The exact date will be circulated by the OAA.

 

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Student Stories

Why History?

Studying in the History Department, and under the tutelage of so many excellent professors and mentors has been the cornerstone of my Ashoka experience. I came into Ashoka, so excited to learn under this department and excavate the different layers and dimensions of History, and every course that I have taken has lived up to this expectation and more. From Professor Nayanjot Lahiri who made learning about ancient Harappa so novel and exciting, to Professor Upinder Singh teaching us linguistics by way of Tamil songs, to Professor Nath excitedly demonstrating the workings of different weaponry, to Professor Rudrangshu Mukherjee giving us little tidbits on how Englishmen learnt the Bengali language through pillow talk, to Professor Aparna Vaidik teaching us about the Russian Revolution through pop songs of the ‘80s, I hold so many dear memories with this department. I’m truly grateful for every opportunity this department has provided, and its unflinching commitment to support students in their research and growth. My advice to incoming students would be to just explore. Our professors and this department truly make History come alive, and this experience of being able to immerse oneself in History is unparalleled.

Shauryavardhan Sharma

ASP 22, History and IR Major

Why History?

I chose Ashoka because I was already familiar with its pedagogy, faculty and courses, having done the Young Scholars Programme in the summer of 2016. Over my four years, Ashoka did not disappoint me academically at all. I am a History Major and I can say with confidence that Ashoka’s History department is one of the best in the country. With its stellar faculty and small classes it really makes learning fun. Apart from the compulsory courses, we have a large number of electives on offer. Even within the mandatory courses, the syllabus is not set according to either some book or old rules of other universities. They are heavily influenced by the research that the professors themselves undertake. Another factor that distinguishes the Ashoka education is the option to avail of office hours and meet the professors in person after classes to discuss doubts. In general, these office hours make for great conversations.

Surabhi Sanghi

ASP 21, Advanced History Major

Why History?

I think I choose to study History at Ashoka particularly after a Foundation Course, ‘Trends in History’ back in my first semester. I was blown away by the methods that Professor Gwen Kelly employed, particularly a Wikipedia project, where we had to choose a historical theme and fix the Wikipedia page for the same. It was an exciting way of learning History from the rote learning that I had been used to till then. It opened my eyes to the use of sources and also made me realize how history is almost everywhere. My project on the Cooch Behar royal family opened new dimensions of history for me.

I chose Ashoka four years ago primarily because of the freedom it offered: the freedom to change majors, the freedom to choose courses, and not being bound by a set path. Over the four years at Ashoka though, what I appreciated the most are the small but unique things that the university has been able to offer due to its interdisciplinary nature. Being in the first cohort of the Ashoka translation program, I have been able to combine my historical zeal with my passion for literary translations. I have also been fortunate enough to be part of classes that combined the most unlikely of disciplines like history with physics.
What I have learned is to untangle the multiple facets of history and leap into new historical possibilities. I have learned to take risks and attempt really original research.

What I appreciate most is the larger history community at Ashoka. This includes professors, teaching fellows, PHD students and undergraduate students. We as a community have always tried to take history outside the classroom. One of the things I most enjoyed at Ashoka was being part of the Ashoka History Society, and being its president in 2019, It was a very exciting and enriching period, and made me a more well-rounded, budding historian.

Pratiti

ASP 21, Advanced History Major

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