UNIT I - DEMOCRATIC VALUES
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
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
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
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
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 J.Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.