BA Subjects and Syllabus
BA syllabus is divided into 6 semesters over 3 years and focuses on a broad spectrum of coursework that generally includes core concepts of humanities, social science, politics, and more. The Bachelor of Arts syllabus aims to understand human society, culture and thought through subjects such as literature, languages, history, philosophy, psychology, political science, and more.
Bachelor of Arts core subjects include english communication, environmental science, history and Indian culture, economic development, and more. Students can also select elective subjects as per specialization, such as social psychology, modern literature, urban sociology, international economics, and more.
BA course also help students develop various skills, such as critical thinking, communication, research, writing, public speaking, data analysis, digital literacy, analytical abilities, and more., as a part of skill-enhancement courses in the curriculum.
Table of Contents
Semester-Wise BA Syllabus 2024
BA semester wise syllabus varies as per the specialization chosen by the student, but the fundamental subjects remain same irrespective of the specialization chosen by the student. The BA subjects 1st year primarily focus on foundational topics related to the fields of humanities and social sciences.
The 2nd and 3rd year BA syllabus focuses on going deeper into specific topics within the major of choice, providing advanced courses that expand on the first year's core knowledge. Below listed is the BA first year syllabus 2024.
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Semester I |
Semester II |
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English Communication |
Economic Development |
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Environmental Science |
Indian Polity/Political Science |
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History and Indian Culture |
Psychological Research |
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Skill Enhancement Course-I |
Skill Enhancement Course-II |
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Foreign/Regional Language |
- |
| BA vs BA (Hons) | BA Vs BBA |
BA Subjects- Core & Electives
BA subjects include a mix of core and elective subjects, varies as per the specialization chosen by the student. BA subject areas include Philosophy, History, Literature, Economics, Education, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Library Science, Archaeology, and so on.
Listed below are year-wise core & elective subjects under the BA syllabus.
BA Core Subjects
Listed below are some of the core BA subjects that the students study in first year irrespective of their specialization. Listed below are common subjects along with topics covered in each subject:
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BA Core Subjects |
Topics Covered |
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English Communication |
Communication Skills, Public Speaking, Written Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Cross-Cultural Communication |
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Environmental Science |
Ecology, Environmental Pollution, Conservation Biology, Climate Changes, Sustainable Development |
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History and Indian Culture |
Ancient Indian History, Medieval Indian History, Modern Indian History, Indian Art and Architecture, Indian Philosophy |
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Indian Polity/Political Science |
Indian Constitution, Political Institutions, Public Administration, Political Ideologies, Governance and Policy Making |
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Economic Development |
Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Economic Growth, Development Policies, Globalization, Poverty Alleviation |
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Psychological Research |
Research Methodology, Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Psychological Testing, Ethics in Research, Literature Review |
| Top BA Colleges in Tamil Nadu | Top BA Colleges in West Bengal |
BA Elective Subjects
BA Elective subjects can be chosen by students as per their interest areas, with a focus on developing advanced skills and knowledge in specialized areas. The elective subjects in BA are listed below as per the specialization:
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Specialization |
BA Elective Subjects |
Topics Covered |
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Psychology |
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Psychological Disorders and Treatments, Social Influence and Interpersonal Relationships, Lifespan Development and Behavioral Changes, Memory, etc. |
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English |
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Fiction Writing, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction, Analysis of Literary Texts and Critical Theories, Study of 20th and 21st Century Literary Works, Examination of Literary Traditions Across Cultures, etc. |
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Economics |
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Statistical Analysis of Economic Data, Economic Growth, Trade, Finance, and Global Economic Issues, Taxation, and Welfare, Economics of Natural Resources and Sustainability |
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History |
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Civilizations, Empires, and Ancient Societies, Feudalism,, Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, and Beyond, Social and Cultural Trends Throughout History, Economic Systems, Trade, and Industrialization |
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Journalism and Mass Communications |
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Ethical Principles in Journalism and Broadcasting, News Writing Techniques and Journalism Practices, Storytelling Techniques, Legal Issues in Media Industry and Regulation, Digital Media Production |
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Sociology |
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Gender Roles, Identity, and Inequality, Social Class, Inequality, and Mobility, Cities, Urbanization, Urban Life, Human-Environment Interactions and Sustainability |
Specialization-Wise BA Subjects and Syllabus
BA offers several specializations and the core subjects differ for each stream. Candidates get to pursue these subjects from semester 3 to semester 6. Detailed below are some of the popular specializations and their corresponding course structure:
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BA Specialization List |
Subjects Covered |
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Other Important BA Syllabus and Subjects:
| BA Course Details | BA Specializations List |
BA Distance Education Subjects
Distance BA is a three-year program that provides students with knowledge of literature, history, sociology, psychology, and more. Regular BA syllabus cover core subjects such as English, History, Sociology, and Economics, emphasizing theoretical concepts and practical applications.
Distance BA programs, offered by colleges like IGNOU and DU SOL, offer subject flexibility and self-paced learning through pre-designed study materials, that differ in delivery mode. Also, distance BA focuses on remote learning and assessments.
The distance BA syllabus common subjects is shown in the list below.
| The Structure of Modern English | Global Politics |
| Psychology of Individual Differences | History of the Modern World |
| Psychological Research | Environmental Studies |
| Ethics In Public Domain | Foundation Course in Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Public Policy and Administration in India | Foundation Course in Hindi |
| Understanding Prose and Poetry | The Structure of Modern English |
| Indian Economic Development: Issues and Perspectives | Foundation Course in Science and Technology |
Read More: IGNOU BA Syllabus
Bachelor of Arts Course Structure
The BA course structure consists of both core and elective subjects. The course is a three-year-long undergraduate course, divided into six semesters. From the third semester onwards, students are introduced to specific subjects related to their specialization. The course structure is:
- VI Semesters
- Core Subjects
- Elective Subjects
- Undergraduate Course
- Research Project
| Top BA Colleges in Uttar Pradesh | Top BA Colleges in Maharashtra |
BA Teaching Methodology and Techniques
BA teaching methodology and techniques encompass traditional lecture-based training. The traditional classroom teaching methods allow the students to ask the queries they might have and get answers to them. The course has teaching methodologies and techniques designed to ensure that the students pursuing this course have access to all the infrastructure and facilities available.
Listed below are the teaching methodology and strategies in general:
- Lectures
- Practical Sessions
- Research Papers
- Seminars
- Group Discussions
- Traditional Classroom-Based Teaching
BA Course Projects
When pursuing a Bachelor of Arts course, research projects are an integral part of the studies. These projects are assessed by the professors to judge the student's understanding of the subjects in the 3rd year of the course. Students can choose their project topics based on the specialization they choose to pursue.
Some of the popular research projects are listed below:
- Study of marginalized voices' representation in literature, art, and media
- Analysis of the effects of economic globalization on trade and labor markets
- Examination of cross-cultural communication and its function in fostering comprehension
- Study on how social media affects public opinion and political activism
BA Books
The BA reference books as per the specialization chosen by students like history, english literature, geography, etc. The BA 1st year syllabus focuses on making students understand the core concepts of the arts, irrespective of specialization. Below listed are BA 1st year books:
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Books |
Authors |
Topics Covered |
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Introduction to Sociology |
Anthony Giddens |
Sociological Perspectives, Social Institutions, Culture, Social Stratification, etc. |
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Principles of Microeconomics |
N. Gregory Mankiw |
Supply and Demand, Market Structures, Consumer Behavior, Producer Theory, Elasticity, Market failure |
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English Literature: An Anthology |
AK Kamla |
Literary Periods, Major Authors, Literary Analysis, Literary Genres, Cultural Contexts |
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World History: Patterns of Interaction |
McDougal Littell |
Ancient Civilizations, Medieval Europe, Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, World Wars |
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Introduction to Psychology |
James W. Kalat |
History of Psychology, Biological Bases, Sensation, Learning and Memory, Psychological Disorders |
Top BA [Bachelor of Arts] Colleges
Top Arts Entrance Exams
BA Fee Structure
FAQs on BA Syllabus and Subjects
Q: What is the syllabus of BA 1st year?
A: The B.A subject list 1st year includes foundational courses covering English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Humanities, providing an introduction to various disciplines.
Q: Which BA subject is best?
A: The best BA subject varies based on individual interests and career goals. Some popular BA specializations include English Literature, History, Psychology, and Economics.
Q: How is the BA syllabus assessed?
A: BA syllabus is assessed in the form of exams, essays, presentations, and projects that help evaluate students understanding of the subject matter.
Q: Are there any electives for BA course?
A: BA courses offer elective subjects as per the specialization selected by the students, such as BA Psychology includes Health Psychology, Social Psychology, etc., whereas BA Economics syllabus includes Environmental Economics, International Economics, etc.
Q: What are the elective subjects covered in BA syllabus of Manipal University if I want to do an online BA?
A: The elective subjects covered in online BA at Manipal University are world religions, comparative politics, the psychology of human behavior, etc.
Q: What topics are covered in BA 2nd semester syllabus 2024?
A: B.A 2nd sem syllabus 2024 focuses on fundamental understanding of written communication, ancient Indian history, psychological testing, developmental policies, etc.
Q: How many papers are in BA?
A: In a BA course, there are usually 5-6 compulsory papers.
