PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION

Our 78-credit doctoral programme is designed to assist the learner in developing a broad and deep understanding of Sri Aurobindo’s philosophical thought and spiritual practice. Students first complete a series of structured coursework as Phase I of the programme. These courses help them build a strong foundation in the various aspects of the integral thought and vision of Sri Aurobindo. Phase II of programme comprises of several distinct steps that the learner is required to proceed through in order to fulfill the doctoral research requirements. Each Ph.D. student is assigned a guide who is selected based on the student’s area of study.

For admission purposes, an applicant’s sufficient background and prior preparation in the thought and works of Sri Aurobindo is demonstrated through a completed MA or M.Phil in Sri Aurobindo Studies. Students who have either an MA or M. Phil in Sri Aurobindo Studies will not be required to complete the coursework phase of the programme. However, on the discretion of SACAR admission team, they may also be asked to demonstrate their level of mastery in the field of Sri Aurobindo Studies through an examination. After successful completion of this examination, such students may directly proceed to the Phase II.

While the bulk of teaching and mentoring for the programme is done online, students visit SACAR campus on three separate occasions during their PhD programme:

1. 7-day Personal Contact Programme at the beginning of the coursework (Phase I)
2. 5-8-day visit at the completion of the coursework during which student completes qualifier examination and makes a seminar presentation.
3. 7-10-day visit for the final Viva Examination (“defence of doctoral thesis”) scheduled near the end of thesis completion.

Important note for August 2010 candidates for PGD, MA, M.Phil  & PhD programmes

7-day PCP will be held at SACAR, Pondicherry from August 1 - August 6, 2010 Oct 4-10, 2010
Foreign applicants, please email at sacaroffice@gmail.com for details

PROGRAMME DURATION 

Phase I: Coursework

• 1 (one) year (for full-time students)
• 2 (two) years (for half-time students)
  
  Phase II: Directed Research
  
  
• 2 (two) years (for full-time students)
• 4 (four) years (for half-time students)
  
  Maximum time allowed to complete PhD: 7 (seven) years
  

PHASE I: COURSE WORK (Total credits = 46)

Compulsory Courses (credits are in parenthesis)
7-Day Personal Contact Period at SACAR  (4)
Sri Aurobindo and His Essential Thought (4)
Research Methods in Philosophy and Transpersonal Inquiry (6) OR Qualitative Research Methods for Education (6)

 Elective Select 4 (all these courses may not be offered every semester)
Foundations of Indian Culture (8)
Principles of Integral Education (8)
The Philosophy of Evolution of Consciousness (8)
The Vision of the Future (8)
The Rhythm of Social Development (8)
Towards Human Unity (8)
The Psychology of Yoga (8)
Poetry of the Future (8)

For Course Descriptions click here

PHASE II: RESEARCH WORK (Total credits = 24)

DURATION: Minimum- Two Years, Maximum- Four Years

Important: Before proceeding to this stage, the student must have successfully completed the required Research Methods course and also the required coursework in the field of Sri Aurobindo Studies offered by SACAR.

Qualifying Examination, Seminar Presentation, Proposal Planning- Semester I
Research and Thesis Development- Semester II
Submission of Completed Draft- Semester III
Viva, Revision of Thesis and Final Submission- Semester IV

Qualifying Examination, Seminar Presentation, Proposal Planning-Semester I (6 credits)

To be completed in first 8-10 weeks of the semester

a) Complete a written qualifying examination
The purpose of qualifying examination, designed by the student’s PhD guide in discussion with other SACAR faculty, is to assess the learner’s comprehension of the fundamentals of Sri Aurobindo’s thought in selected areas of student interest. As part of this written examination learners are asked to submit essays or critical responses to a small set of questions covering several areas divided into two broad categories: a) different aspects of Sri Aurobindo’s thought and work; b) research methodology that is appropriate for learner’s area of research interest. In some cases this examination may also be conducted via email.

b) Seminar presentation
The student makes an oral presentation of a seminar-style paper on a topic chosen from the completed coursework. In order to prepare for this presentation, the student may arrange prior discussion with his or her PhD guide.
The written qualifying examination and paper presentation help SACAR faculty assess the student’s preparedness for the next step, namely, preparation of thesis proposal.

c) Begin planning of the research/thesis proposal
The student works independently with his or her guide who provides necessary guidance for beginning work on the thesis proposal. As part of these discussions the students are asked to present their ideas for their doctoral research project.

d) Doctoral Committee
The student and the guide also discuss matters concerning the formation of a doctoral committee of three to five members (including SACAR Director, SACAR Guide, IGNOU/SOITS representative, Subject Expert from outside SACAR and any other person if deemed necessary).

Preparation, Submission and Approval of Thesis Proposal

e) Thesis Proposal
During this phase, the student works closely with the guide and completes a 6000-8000-word (approximately 20-30 double-spaced pages) thesis proposal. This should also include a literature review that is relevant to the research topic. Necessary guidelines for proposal preparation and submission are provided by the SACAR guide.

f) Proposal Approval
The committee led by the guide reviews the proposal and offers guidance and suggestions to the student. If no re-write is necessary, the guide in consultation with rest of the doctoral committee writes a narrative evaluation of the proposal thereby approving the thesis proposal. In cases where the student is asked to make major revisions and re-submit the proposal, the guide gives clear deadlines to the learner so that the final approval can be granted by the middle of next semester.

Research and Thesis Development-Semester II (6 credits)

Research and Thesis Development
During this phase, the student begins the research into approved topic and commences the development and writing of a doctoral level thesis in consultation with the guide. The student submits a completed draft of the thesis to the committee for review in the following semester.

Submission of Completed Draft- Semester III (6 credits)

Submission of Completed Draft
The thesis draft should be somewhere between 75,000-125,000 words (approximately 200-400 double-spaced pages) and should represent a significant contribution to the field, and not merely restate the writings and ideas of other authors. The doctoral thesis must be an original work demonstrating the candidate's ability to do independent research in the selected area/topic covering vast existing primary sources and other secondary literature relevant to the field of specialisation. The completed thesis must be "defended" during an oral viva examination to be held during the last semester of the programme. Additional guidance for thesis preparation and formatting is provided by the guide.

Viva, Revision of Thesis and Final Submission- Semester IV (6 credits)

a) Viva Examination
At an appropriate time to be determined by the programme guide and the student, in consultation with rest of the doctoral committee, the student appears for an oral examination (viva) as part of the thesis review process. During this examination the student briefly presents his or her research and addresses the questions posed by the Expert Committee, which may also include members from the doctoral committee.  The Expert Committee may also offer suggestions for revisions to the thesis. The viva is conducted on SACAR campus preferably.

b) Revision and Submission of Final Thesis
After the viva the student makes revisions to the thesis based on the Expert committee’s recommendations. The revised thesis, after the guide has reviewed and approved the final copy, is submitted to IGNOU through SOITS for the award of Doctoral Degree to the student.