A Discussion On Pedagogy Of The Oppressed

The Philosophical Society, A Students Discussion Forum of Department of Philosophy of PGGCG-11, Chandigarh organized the second lecture of online seminar series “Dialogue” on 26th of October 2021 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm The speaker of seminar was Dr. Jayanti Dutta who is a faculty in Human Resource Development Centre, Panjab University, Chandigarh. She is biologist by training and has been one of the founding members of Department of Public Health in Panjab University. She has an experience of working with 5000 teachers and of mentoring more than 100 professional progammes. The dialogue revolved around the book ‘PADAGOGY OF THE OPPRESSED’ by Paulo Friere, a Brazilian educator. The book was published in Portuguese in 1968 and later on it was published in English in 1970. The speaker was given 40 minutes to keep her views followed by a 20 minute discussion. The speaker began by discussing the background and history of the writer Paulo Friere. And added that his text pedagogy of the Oppressed is considered one of the foundational texts of critical pedagogy which proposes pedagogy with a new relationship between teacher, student and society. The writer in his book argued that pedagogy should treat the learner as a co-creator of knowledge which was explained with different examples by Dr. Dutta. She talked about different models given in the book and how “banking model of education” is not good because it treats the student as an empty vessel to be filled with knowledge. The book is dedicated to the oppressed and how she/he is unaware of that oppression. The speaker also talked about why this pedagogy is necessary and also Paulo’s theories of education where two models were discussed: the banking model and problem posing model. Emphasis was also laid on the idea of dialogue and processes how the oppressed can liberate themselves. The event was followed by a healthy discussion where students raised many questions like Why do we have an education system so rigid? What can be done to change this? Who is to be blamed the oppressor or the oppressed? Dr. Jayanti Dutta patiently answered all the questions. The discussion introduced new perceptions and new ways of looking at the education system. This indeed was a successful seminar. Courtesy: Bharti Rao

What We Know About Ourselves In Thinking About Others

Department of Philosophy organised its first lecture of the online seminar series ‘Dialogue’ by inviting an acclaimed writer and philosopher Dr Ishwar Singh Dost. Dr. Ishwar Singh who is also a distinguished journalist and a researcher working over two decades with electronic media like NDTV and Jansatta. His recent publication include a book chapter on ‘Democracy and the Renewal of Socialism’ in the book ‘Socialism in the 20st Century’. The session was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr) Anita Kaushal who appreciated the Department of philosophy for having started the online seminar series “Dialogue” and said that “Dialogue would provide creative learning to the students and all participants.” Dr Ishwar Singh Dost presented his ideas on the topic “What we Know about Ourselves in thinking about Others”. The event was moderated/Chaired by Tanvi and Neetu of BA 3rd year. Dr. Ishwar Singh Dost initially highlighted the concept of Self and Others where he brought into consideration the fundamental notions of ‘I, We and They' and pointed out a significant perspectives on philosophical question “Who am I?” He critically reflected on the institution of marriage and offered insights on the notion of Identity in different cultural context. The very significant concept that Dr. Ishwar Singh pointed out was the concept of ascribed and acquired identity, where ascribed identity is (the set of demographic and role descriptions that others in an interaction assume to hold true for you) and acquired identity is (what you think you are). He also intervened about the concept of reality and illusion which holds an important place in the topic of ‘what we know about ourselves in thinking about others’. He threw light on humanism, self-destruction and experiences which play an important role in the formation of self and others. He mentioned a quote “Love Needs Others“ which states, the need for affection, solidifies our desire to know we are compatible with another human being, even if the relationship is on the friendship or familial level. Very aptly he brought into the light the concept of pornography which itself is a fundamental topic that needs answers but they are not usually discussed in different spaces. Toward the end he mentioned his ideas on existentialism as a theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will. The lecture was followed by a healthy discussion where students put forwarded their questions regarding their environment which plays an important role in this concept of self and others and also the importance of ascribed and acquired identity in our life. Very sincerely Dr. Ishwar Singh answered the possible questions both by students and the faculty. The first event of the online seminar series 'Dialogue' was indeed a success where one was able to assess and gather enough knowledge about who I am in the eyes of others. Courtesy : Tanvi, Ridam and Greta BA III

Being Woman: Feminist Perspectives

Philosophical Society Post-Graduate Government College for girls sector 11 Chandigarh organized its 3rd student seminar on the topic “Being women: Feminist Perspective“ in which students exchanged their idea on what is to be a feminist. Various students participated in the discussion. Nandini and Anandita from BA I year pointed out the issues of pseudo-feminism of how one gender deserves more respect from another by taking real-life examples. Tanvi from BA III shared different perspectives on being woman. She emphasized that women will have to discover and redefine and write new narratives of being woman and feminism. She also cautioned that Feminism should not be seen as anti-men but rather a co-participation of gender in respecting each other with their differences and spaces. Ms Chuskit and Varsha from BA III year highlighted how equality is not an opportunity but a quality of independence and responsibility one holds for himself or herself. Ms Khusboo from BA II year significantly highlighted her perspective through her poetry about the problems women face in society and how strongly they overcome to their hardship. Towards the end all the students significantly pointed out their perspective, it was followed by a healthy discussion where all students merged their collective thoughts on feminism. Courtesy: Tanvi and Ridam BA III