BA (HONS) TAMIL  (Full Time)

1.	OBJECTIVES

	The degree programme is designed to provide knowledge and skills in the field of 	Tamil language, literature and society and prepare students at undergraduate level 	to a number of professions in such sectors as teaching, the services, media and 	industry.

2.	GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

	In accordance with the University General Entry Requirements for admission to 	undergraduate  Programme.

3.	PROGRAMME  REQUIREMENTS
	
	 Tamil with at least Grade C at ‘A’ Level
				
4.	PROGRAMME  DURATION

				Normal	Maximum

	Degree (Full time)	3 years		5 years

5.	MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE AWARD - 105
	
	Breakdown as follows:

							Compulsory 	     CSE
	   Core	           Dissertation	Electives	Electives	     1010e(1)
	Modules

	      72		        9		      9		        12	          3

6.	CREDITS PER YEAR  (SUBJECT TO REGULATION)

	Maximum	48 credits
	Minimum	18 credits

Students should register for yearly modules and Semester modules, at the beginning of the academic year or at the start the semester as the case may arise.

7.	EXIT POINT

(i)	Students having acquired at least 30 credits may be awarded a certificate provided 	that 

(a)	the student has passed at least 25% of the core credits prescribed in his/her programme of studies and 

(b)	out of 25% core credits as and where applicable at least 75% drawn from department core modules.

(ii)	Students having accumulated at least 60 credits will be awarded a Diploma 	provided that

(a)	the student has passed at least 50% of the core credits prescribed in his/her Programme of Studies, and 

(b)	out of the 50% core credits, as and where applicable, at least 75% should be drawn from department core modules.

Students may apply for an exit point with a diploma, provided that such application be made before or within one year after the maximum duration allowed for the Programme of Studies has expired.

8.	ASSESSMENT

Continuous and Written Assessment of Modules

Each module can be taught in on semester only throughout the two semesters (yearly modules)

Each module will be assessed over 100 marks.

Assessment will be based on a written examination of 2 to 3 hours duration (normally a paper of 2 hours duration for modules carrying up to three credits, and 3 hours paper for modules carrying six credits) and on continuous assessment done during the semester or year.

Students will take their examinations for all modules, whether taught in semester I or in semester 2 or both, except for MST 2122 (3) at the end of the academic year.  Relevant information will be provided to the students prior to delivery of the modules.

The continuous assessment will count for 20 -30% of the overall percentage mark of module(s), except for a programme where the structure makes for other specific provision(s).

Continuous assessment may be based on laboratory work, seminars and/or assignments and should include at least 1 class test.

An overall total of 40% for combined continuous assessment and written examination components would be  required to pass the module, without minimum thresholds within the individual continuous assessment and written examination.  The same criterion will apply for modules being assessed jointly.  Note that all overall mark for the two modules will be considered and not the individual marks for each of the two modules.

9.	LIST OF MODULES

Module Code		       Module Name		      	       Credits

TAM 1001Y (3)	Modern Literature – Poetry			6
TAM 1002Y (1)	History of Tamil Literature			6
TAM 1003 Y(1)	General Linguistics and Structure
			of  Tamil Language				6

TAM 1004Y (1)	Nannul - Grammar				6
TAM 2001Y (3)	Tamil Fiction					6
TAM 2002Y (3)	Medieval Literature				6
TAM 2003Y (3)	Tamil Prosody					6
TAM 2004Y (3)	Literary Appreciation and Criticism		6
TAM 2005Y (3)	Epic Literature				6
TAM 3011Y (5)	Theory and Practice of Translation		6
TAM 3002Y (5)	Sangam Literature and Thirukkural		6
TAM 3004Y (5)	Tamil Drama					6

TAM 3003Y (5)	History of Tamil Nadu and Culture		6
TAM 3000Y (5)	Dissertation					6

Compulsory Electives

TAM 3001Y (5)	Porul Illakkanam				6

MST 2122    (3)	Mauritian Studies:  Literature and Society	3
MST 3123    (5)	Mauritian Studies:  Contemporary Issues	3

Compulsory Information Technology Module

CSE 1010e   (1)	Introduction to Information Technology	3

Electives

Students should take 2 electives.

1 elective to be chosen from the following.

ENG   1012Y  (1)	-	Developing Language Skills in English
ENG   1007Y  (1)	-	Approaches to Poetry and Drama
FREN 1005Y  (1)	-	Expression Ecrite
FREN 1006Y  (1)	-	Initiation à la Linguistique Française
FREN 1007 Y (1)	-	Introduction au Texte Narratif

and

1 elective from the other departments at the MGI.

INPH  1130  (1)	-	Main aspects of Indian Philosophy
BHLC 1100  (1)	-	Introduction to Bhojpuri
INMU 1220  (1)	-	Introduction to Rhythm
INMU 1221  (1)	-	Introduction to Indian Classical Dance
INMU 1223  (1)	-	Appreciation of Carnatic Music
MST    1221 (1)	-	Mauritian Studies: Overview of History
MSAN 10     (1)	-	Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology

10.	Programme Plan

Module Code	Year  I	Hrs/Wk	Credits
	
TAM 1001    (3)	Modern Literature - Poetry	3 + 0	6	
TAM 1002Y (1)	History of Tamil Literature	3 + 0	6	
TAM 1003Y (1)	General Linguistics and Structure of Tamil Language	3 + 0	6	
TAM 1004Y (1)	Nannul -  Grammar	3 + 0	6	
CSE 1010e   (1)	Introduction to Information Technology	3 + 0	6	
	One elective (from the Faculty of Social Studies & Humanities)			
	One Elective (from other departments at the MGI)	3 + 0	6	
	Sub Total		36	
				
	Year  II			
TAM 2001Y (3)	Tamil Fiction	3 + 0	6	
TAM 2002Y (3)	Medieval Literature	3 + 0	6	
TAM 2003Y (3)	Tamil Prosody	3 + 0	6	
TAM 2004Y (3)	Literary Appreciation and Criticism	3 + 0	6	
TAM 2005Y (3)	Epic Literature	3 + 0	6	
MST 2122    (3)	Mauritian Studies: Literature and Society (CE)	3 + 0	6	
MST 3123	Mauritian Studies: Contemporary Issues (CE)	3 + 0	6	
	Sub Total		36	
				
	Year  III			
TAM 3911Y (5)	Theory and Practice of translation	3 + 0	6	
TAM 3002Y (5)	Sangam Literature and Tirukkural	3 + 0	6	
TAM 3000Y (5)	History of Tamil Nadu and Culture	3 + 0	6	
TAM 3001Y (5)	Porul Ilakkanam	3 + 0	6	
TAM 3000Y (5)	Dissertation		9	
	Sub Total		33	
	Grand Total		105	

	 

N.B

(1)	The University of Mauritius and Mahatma Gandhi Institute reserve the right not to 	offer certain electives of the critical number of students is not attained and or for 	reasons of resource constraint.

(2)	In year I, the IT module (CSE 1010e) is compulsory..

(3)	Elective from other departments at the MGI:  Student should take non – Tamil 	studies modules from other departments at the MGI listed on the previous page.

(4)	Modules marked as (CE) are compulsory electives and are considered as core.

II.	MODULE OUTLINE

Year  I

TAM 1001Y (3)	Modern Literature - Poetry

This module aims at acquainting students to Tamil modern poetry from the historical, socio-cultural and political perspectives.  Selections from Barathiyaar up to Vairamuthu will be studied.  Focus will be laid on the structure, language and theme in modern poetry.  Students’ participation in reciting poems will be encouraged.

TAM 1002Y (1)	History of Tamil Literature

This module provides a comprehensive background of the history and development of Tamil Literature from the Sangam period to the 20th  century.  The various literary genres of the different periods will be introduced.  Few literary works from the Tamil Diaspora will be introduced.

TAM 1003Y (1)	General Linguistics and Structure of Tamil Language

This module  provides an introduction to the basic linguistic theories; study of phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics in relation to the structure of Tamil language.  Reference to the grammatical structure of  Tamil Language will form part in the study.

TAM 1004Y (1)	Nannul - Grammar

This module aims at introducing students to the traditional Tamil grammar.  Selections from Nannul on phonology and morphology will be studied.  Students  will be acquainted to the proper use of grammar in writing Tamil texts.

CSE 1010e (1)	Introduction to information Technology

The world of computers:  main components of the computer:  the evolution of computers;  input and output devices; secondary storage, programming, systems software; application software; systems analysis and design; communications and connectivity; the internet; information technology and society.

TAM 1012Y (1)	Developing Language Skills in English

This course is specially designed for MGI students, who have not necessarily taken English at main or subsidiary level at HSC.  This module proposes to develop certain skills in English:  listening, comprehension, speaking, reading, writing and critical skills.

During the first semester, a thematic approach will be adopted.  Students will be introduced to genres of writing (academic and non-academics).  They will be encouraged to develop oral and written skills.  The second half of the module has been set up as an introduction to basic literary skills.  Students will be introduced to the main literary genres.  They will be expected to develop their analytical and critical skills, as well as build on the competencies they will have developed in the course of the first semester.

By the end of the semester, students will be expected to be able to respond to different types of texts in the oral and written media, put on paper, in a coherent manner and grammatically correct way, their thoughts and ideas and respond critically to a literary text.

ENG 1007Y (1)	Approaches to Poetry and Drama

This module is divided into two parts:  Part I comprises of an introductory approach to poetry while part two focuses on an entirely different genre:  drama.  The poetry part is specifically designed to allow students explore the historical/ philosophical evolution of poetry.  In this respect, students will be introduced to the philosophy of Classical Greek thinkers (Aristotle, Horace, Longinus).  Students will also be expected to survey the technical evolution of poetry from 16th century to contemporary.

Similarly, the drama part ensures that students are exposed to a  sufficient range of dramatics (Shakespeare – the present).  Particular attention is given to the fact that this is more a ‘performance’ genre and student participation is actively encouraged.

This is an introductory module, which shows the basics of the relevant genres to students.

FREN  1005Y (1)	Expression Ecrite

Rappel des connaissances de base.  Focalisation sur le fonctionnement de langue.  Renforcement des competences scripturales avec accent sur la créativité.  Analyse critique de texts écrits.  Le commentaire compose.  Le dissertation.

N.B.  Ce cours est partiellement en linge,
FREN 1006Y (1)	Initiation à la linguistique Française

Les concepts de base de la linguistique:  langage, langue, parole, signe, significant, signifié, etc.  Principes élémentaires de phonémentaires de phonétique et de phonologie:  sons, phonemes, faits prosodiques, transcription.  Eléments de morphologie: forme et formation de mots; flexion et derivation.  Les concepts de base en syntaxe:  phrase, enoncé, enonciation.  La grammaire generative:  analyse en constituants immédiats, phrase simple; phrase complexe.  Quelques notions de sémantique:  sens, signification, reference, connotation, denotation, synonymie, homonymie, antonymie, evolution sémantique, figures de signification, analyse componentielle.

FREN 1007Y (1)	Introduction au Texte Narratif

Présentation de deux theories Litteraires:  le structuralisme et la sémiotique.  Introduction à des concepts de base:  focalization, récit/ discourse, actants/ personnages, modalités, etc., qui seront étayés par l’étude d’extraits de texts narratifs appropriés.

INPH  1130  (1)	Main Aspects of Indian Philosophy

Introduction to the main problems of Indian Philosophy with focus on  Metaphysical concepts and Theories, Problems of Philosophy.  Nature source and purpose of Indian Philosophy.  Concept of God and Soul.  Indian Theories of creation.  Theory of Action an Rebirth.  Concept of Bondage and Liberation.  Schools of Indian Philosophy.

BHLC 1100 		An Introduction to Bhojpuri

The course will introduce students to basic knowledge of the History of Bhojpuri, its literature, language and culture.

INMU 1220  (1)	Introduction to Rhythm

This module highlights some of the fundamental aspects of Rhythm.  It will also deal with the concepts of cycle and its expression through different Indian percussion instruments.

IMMU 1221  (1)	Introduction to Indian Classical Dance

This module attempt to highlight the salient features of the three major classical dance forms of India:  Bharat Natyam, Kathak and Kathakali.

INMU  1223  (1)	Appreciation of Carnatic Music

This module deals with the fundamental aspects of Carnatic music, melody, rhythm and prosody, the concept of raga, musical forms, Expressions in Carnatic music, compositions and composers.

MST 1221  (1)	Mauritian Studies: Overview of History

The aim of this module is to provide a comprehensive historical back ground that will enable students understand the main forces and events which contributed to the emergences of our multicultural nation.  This course, after briefly introducing students to the Indian Ocean in precolonial times, overviews the development of Mauritius, under successive colonial up to 1968.

MSAN 10 (1)		Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology

Anthropology covers all aspects of human life.  Socio cultural anthropology is a sub discipline within anthropology.  It examines the concept of culture:  what it is, the way it works and how anthropologists study it.  The major goals of cultural anthropology are to describe and explain both the unique differences and fundamental similarities in the  community throughout the world.  The concepts will be used to better understanding our own situations and those people around us.

Year  II

TAM 2001Y (3)	Tamil Fiction

The aim of this module is to study the development of Tamil short-story, novel and drama in relation to the form, content, techniques, theme and social reform movements in Tamil Nadu.  An in-depth study of an author’s creative writings will form part of the module.

TAM 2002Y (3)	Medieval Literature

This module will deal with literary creation of the medieval period.  It will include the Bhakti literary and the ‘minor’ literary works of the period.

TAM 2003 Y (3)	Tamil Prosody (Yaapilakkanam)

This module aims at introducing students to the basic grammatical structure of Tamil Prosody with reference to Yapperung kalakkaarigai.  Various types of poems will be studied to understand Tamil prosody properly.  Students will be initiated to some practice in poetry writing.

TAM 2004 Y (3)	Literary Appreciation and Criticism

This module will acquaint students with the principles and theories of literary criticism in relation to some important literary works.  Students will be initiated to technique of analysis.  There will be a selection for literary appreciation.

TAM 2005Y (3)	Epic Literature

This module aims at the study of the history and grammar of Epic Literature.  Students will also study selections from major epics and two minor epics; analysis of the theme, language and structure of the epics.

TAM 2122Y (3)	Mauritian Studies:  Literature and Society

This module is an introduction to Mauritian Literature through a selection of texts by authors who have written about the richness and complexities of our multi-lingual and multicultural society.  Some of the themes are:  quest for identify, diaspora, interculturalism, political struggle, gender etc.

MST 3123 (5)		Mauritian Studies:  Contemporary Issues

This seminar-based module provides students with the opportunity of addressing selected political, social, economic and cultural issues of contemporary Mauritius.  Themes will be considered in the global context and examined from the interdisciplinary perspective.  Students will be provided with extract from books, periodicals and newspapers prior to the lectures to help them participle actively in discussion.

Year  III

TAM 3011Y (3)	Theory and Practice of Translation

This module will focus on the fundamental theories and techniques of translation and the relevance of translation as an important literary activity in the modern world.  It is also meant to expose students to the various forms of translation and provide practice in translation.

TAM 3001Y (3)	Porul Ilakkanam

This module aims at introducing students to the ancient Tamil literary conventions as laid down in Tholkappiyam, the study of the concept of Akam and Puram.  There will be selections from Porulathikaaram.

TAM 3002Y (5)	Sangam Literature and Tirrukkural

This module will acquaint students with the ancient Tamil literature works bases on the concept of Akam and Puram; selections from Ettuttokai and Pattuppaattu; study of Tirukkural as a masterpiece from Ethic Literature.

TAM 3003Y (3)	History of Tamil Nadu and Culture

This module will provide students with necessary knowledge of the historical background of Tamil Nadu; the boundaries, great Tamil rulers, important historical events that have marked the history of the Tamil country from Sangam period to Modern period; Temples festivals, Arts and other aspects of Tamil culture will be dealt with.

TAM 3000 Y (5)	Dissertation

At the end of year III of the programme, students should submit a dissertation of length between 8,000 and 12,000 words through research on a topic approved by the department.  The dissertation should be done under the supervision of an academic staff appointed by the department.

Dissertation should be submitted not later than the last working day of March.