The 'Art' of Choosing

A degree in Arts is a whole new adventure, but choosing the right subject combination can be tricky. We'll get to that in a bit, but first things first! Choosing a college that offers good arts courses is important. According to the India Today 2014 survey, some of the top arts colleges in Mumbai are St. Xavier's College, followed by K.J. Somaiya, Ramnarain Ruia College and Sophia College. Now that we've got that settled, let's look at parameters you can use to select your subjects. 

Selection Criteria
When it comes down to choosing subjects, Dr. Shefali Balsari-Shah, former Head of Department of English in St. Xavier's opines, "don’t get carried away by the so-called popular or big-name subjects. Each discipline has its own demands and challenges."

For instance, “History needs a certain sensibility and an understanding of the past, Economics demands the ability to deal with numbers effectively, while Psychology requires a good memory, to memorise terminology. For Political Science, on the other hand, you need a thorough understanding of Current Affairs. English Literature requires a love for reading, a critical mind and an understanding of the background knowledge of the novels," says Fleur D'Souza, who was the former Vice Principal, Faculty of Arts and is the current Head of the Department of History in St. Xavier’s College. 

It's more important to be aware of your strengths and factor them into your subject selection.

Combinations
In Degree College, you will need to choose subjects in combinations of three. Being absolutely sure which subjects you're inclined toward will hold good, because these are the subjects that you'll be pursuing for three years. 

According to Fleur D'Souza, who has worked in the field for 31 years has observed that, Sociology, Economics and Psychology; Economics, Commerce and Statistics; and English, History and Sociology are the most popular combinations students choose. However, this may vary from college to college.

If a student is inclined to move to the management sphere after graduation, Commerce and Statistics good options. 

"It is important to focus on the skill sets that are developed through each subject, whatever the combination, all humanities courses today emphasise skills such as presentations, group project work and research," said Dr. Shefali. She further went on to explain that all subjects, in the end, contribute to the larger scheme of things.

Subjects like Psychology and Economics are the most sought-after because they work well in combination with other subjects. Psychology which requires interpretation typically goes well with Sociology; while economics, which has a much wider application scope, goes well with statistics and mathematics as well as political science and sociology.

English offers a plethora of options, hence it’s a popular choice. "With several options in print, visual and digital media, advertising, and traditional avenues like teaching and law, English is also witnessing high demand," said, Dr. Shefali.

Narrow It Down
In the third year, interests need to be narrowed down. Unlike in the first and second year, in the third year, you will have to choose a subject that you want to concentrate on in order to do a single major, which is given, solely based on your performance in the first and second years. Double majors which imply graduating in two subjects instead of one are also provided. You need to make sure that your college provides majors in the subjects that you want.

What About A Job?
"When choosing your subjects, job orientation should not be the only criterion. The liberal arts curriculum gives you the freedom to explore new ideas and approaches," says Dr. Shefali. "So make the most of this opportunity," she added.

Students Say...

Political Science: If you're curious about current affairs and politics, this is the subject for you. Knowledge about political thinkers is essential to understand how their idealogies are applicable today; as is knowledge about history, both Indian and international. -Divina Pereira

English Lit: Beyond a love of reading, be prepared to do intense background research to understand how society at a particular time influenced writers and be patient when reading and analysing writing from a different age and place.-Avril Braganza

Sociology: Since, sociology studies society and more, there can be discrepancies between what you believe and what is taught; having an open mind is crucial. While there is no wrong or right, you need to learn to voice your view tactfully.-Laura Menezes

History: While the endless important dates necessitate a sharp memory, it's essential to be curious enough to do your own research and understand how history remains relevant even today.-Khadija Amiruddin

Economics: Having an analytical bent of mind and a head for numbers are prerequisites if you'd like to study economics. It's also essential to stay abreast of current affairs.-Sumedh Gadgil

Psychology: The ability to understand and apply the basic theories is important. You also have to be able to remember the terminology involved. Excellent interpersonal skills will be very helpful.-Darlene Dmello