WBCHSE Syllabus for Humanities 2026 - Know Important Chapters and Units

Unit 1

Remembering the past

A: Imagine the past: myths, legends and folk-tales, memory and oral traditions.

B: Inheritance of the past: the colonial constructions Indigenous imaginations.

C: Importance of History as a professional discipline- Methods of “Modern” History writing. I. Museums as institutions of organising the past. II. Brief outline of the development of museums and different types of museums, private collections.

Unit 2

Situating colonialism and imperialism in the 19th and 20th Centuries

A. Brief overview of 7th and 18th century colonisation in Asia and the New World.

B. Economic Dynamics of Imperialism and Colonialism; from Mercantile Capital to Industrial & Finance Capital. Hobson - Lenin thesis on Colonialism and Imperialism.

C. The Political Basis of Colonialism: The necessity of controlling areas on which the imperialist country was economically dependent.

D. The Question of Race and its Impact of Colonial Societies.

Unit 3

The Nature of the Colonial Dominance: Formal and Informal Empires

A. Case Study 1: India- as a ‘colonised’ state How political hegemony was established The instruments of control: Legislature / Bureaucracy / Police / Army The economy of the colonial state: revenue collection --- trade patterns --- Deindustrialisation Introduction of the railways --- late and selective industrialization Intellectual justification of the Empire  Mill, Macaulay the Utilitarian

B Case Study 2: China - where economic exploitation flourished without formal political control of the imperialist countries Domination through economic exploitation - mining rights --- unequal treaties -- -- the Canton trade A comparative study of the Indian and Chinese experiences

Unit 4

Reaction to Imperialistic Hegemony

A  India The rise of a middle class - its features --- its acceptance of Western education -- its attitudes to traditional concepts in the social and religious context --- social reform movements and leaders in Bengal --- Narayan Gure, Veersalingam and others outside Bengal, Sir S.A. Khan and the Aligarh movement. Change and transformation in society as a result of the above factors. Proliferation of the rural elite: Patidars, Sahukars, money-lenders and middlemen-greater fragmentation of rural classes due to economic reasons. The emergence of a new rural elite: patidars, Sahukars, money-lenders and middle men greater fragmentation of rural classes due to economic reasons. The emergence of an industrial force Subaltern groups: Adivasis, Dalits. Western ideas and the Indian response: a. The aspiration of the middle coass and its fall outs. b. Regional cultural responses, in partivular, the ‘Bengal Renaissance’ c. How Western concepts of ‘time’, ‘health and ‘labour for wages’ brought about a change in Indian society and the local mindset.

B: China Emergence of a Western educated class- the influence of Christianity --- the scholars’ response- May Fourth Movement. C: Migration of indentured labourers: formation of the Indian and Chinese Diaspora.

Unit 5

Governing the Colonial State India

Govt. of India Acts of 1909, 1919, and 1935 at tools for limiting franchise, introducing communal electorates, maintaining administrative control and British hegemony z The state machinery for suppressing freedom of expression e.g. the Rowlett Act and military / police control: z The Jallianwala Bagh incident / the Meerut Conspiracy Case z Divide and Rule policy: using community/caste/perceived/ ethnic groupings to divide and anti-colonial movement, e.g., supporting the demands of the Muslim League; the Communal Award of 1932; interfering in caste politics such as the temple entre issue z The Princely states and the British Government: the creation of an alternative loyalist base z Economic policies from 1914 to 1945 e.g. limited industrialisation; currency regulation after the First World War; high taxation even in famine conditions: (Gujarat, 1918,1928): the Bengal Famine

Unit 6

The Second World War and the Colonies

A: India, 1940-46 Linlithgow Offer --- Cripps Mission --- the Indian response and the Quit India Movement Subhas Bose and the INA - INA Trials --- RIN Revolt - the backdrop to the Transfer of Power: The British government’s role: Cabinet Mission - Constituent Assembly - Mountbatten’s negotiations - Mountbatten Award - Transfer of power - The Indian response.

B: Japan and the Second World War ‘Asia for Asians”--- Japan and China - Japanese advance through South-East Asia and the consequent linking up with the INA.

C: Changed situation in the European colonial in S.E. Asia, e.g. Indochina and Indonesia.

Unit 7

The Era of the Cold War

A: The Cold War Theoretical basis --- inception---developments from 1942 to 1948 --- the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan --- the military alliances --- Impact---the Berlin Crisis---Eastern Europe under the U.S.S.R. ---Suez Crisis---Cuban Missile Crisis---Korea and Vietnam

B: The Nuclear Arms Race and Peace Initiatives

C: Non-Alignment The Political Background ---its principles --- building up the movement ---Bandung, Belgrade and subsequent conference ---an evaluation

D: The Arab World: Israel vs. the Arab World ---Oil Diplomacy

E: People’s Republic of China: Its rise and place in World Politics.

Unit 8

Decolonisation

A: Definition of the term; social, political and economic implications manifestations; development programmes and Nation building. B: Africa: case study - Algeria.

C: South-east Asia: case study - Indonesia.

D: Nation building in South Asia z Varying political experiences in South Asia - Emergence of Bangladesh - a brief study of political systems in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. z The economic organisation of India - economic planning - heavy industries and technological advances - socialist underpinnings of economic planning - liberalisation, how successful. z Regional co-operation - SAARC.

Unit 9

The New World

(For Project Work-on any one topic, 750-800 words)

A: Interaction of Centripetal and Centrifugal Forces: Transition from a bi-polar to a unipolar world - its political fallout---Globalisation---the “Clash of Civilisations”

B: Movements of Protest and Dissent

The Peace Movements: the students’ movements of the ‘60s and others z Democratic and Civil Right Movements: USA/anti-apartheid movement in South Africa/ movements for universal adult franchise / present-day turmoil in the Arab world, Libya, Egypt etc.

The movement for women’s rights z Environmental movements --- Chipko, Tehri-Garhwal, Narmada Banchao. Keeping alive the conflict between the First and Third Worlds over environmental issues.

New Social Movements.

The new economic order (the depression of 2008-11- a crisis of capitalism? ---the emergence of BRIC.)

Unit 1

Argument

(a) Nature of Argument.

(b) Distinction between deductive and inductive argument with illustrations.

(c) Argument and Argument-form.

(d) Validity of Arguments.

(e) Validity and Truth.

(f) Invalidity of Arguments.

Unit 2

Proposition

(a) Sentence and Proposition.

(b) Classification of Propositions according to Quality, Quantity and Relation.

(c) Four-fold scheme of Categorical Propositions.

(d) Proposition and Proposition-form.

(e) Distribution of Terms.

(f) Rules for transforming sentences into Logical Propositions.

Unit 3

Opposition of Propositions

(a) Concept of Opposition of Proposition.

(b) Traditional Square of Opposition.

(c) Inference by Opposition.

(d) Laws of different types of Opposition.

Unit 4

Immediate Inference

(a) Classification of Inference into Immediate and Mediate.

(b) Conversion as a form of Immediate Inference.

(c) Rules of Conversion.

(d) Simple Conversion.

(e) Obversion as a form of Immediate Inference.

(f) Rules of Obversion.

Unit 5

Categorical Syllogism

(a) Nature of Categorical Syllogism.

(b) Structure of Categorical Syllogism.

(c) Figures of Categorical Syllogism.

(d) Moods of Categorical Syllogism.

(e) General rules of Syllogism.

(f) Fallacies: 1) Illicit Major 2) Illicit Minor 3) Undistributed Middle 4) Fallacy of Four Terms (ambiguous terms excluded)

5) Fallacy of Negative Premises. (g) Enthymeme (h) Testing the validity of Syllogism.

Unit 6

Hypothetical and Disjunctive Syllogism

(a) Compound Arguments.

(b) Hypothetical-Categorical Syllogism.

(c) Rules of Hypothetical-Categorical Syllogism.

(d) Testing the validity of Hypothetical-Categorical Syllogism.

(e) Disjunctive-Categorical Syllogism.

(f) Rules of Disjunctive-Categorical Syllogism (Strong sense of disjunction included).

(g) Testing the validity of Disjunctive-Categorical Syllogism.

Unit 7

Boolean Interpretation and Venn Diagram

(a) Boolean Interpretation of Categorical Proposition. (b) Venn Diagram of Categorical Proposition.

Unit 8

Truth Functions

(a) Variable and Constant.

(b) Truth Functional Propositions: Negation, Conjunction, Disjunction, Material Equivalence.

(c) Truth Values: Tautology, Self-Contradictory, Contingent.

(d) Truth table method for testing Proposition-forms and Argument-forms (Not more than 2 variables).

Unit 1

Nature of Induction

(a) Grounds of Induction:

1) Formal Grounds—Law of Uniformity, Law of Causation

2) Material Grounds—Observation, Experiment.

(b) Scientific and Unscientific Induction.

(c) Analogical Argument—Criteria for Evaluating Analogical Arguments.

Unit 2

Cause

(a) Nature of Cause.

(b) Cause as necessary condition.

(c) Cause as sufficient condition.

(d) Cause as necessary and sufficient condition.

(e) Doctrine of Plurality of Causes—Evaluation of the view.

Unit 3

Mill’s Method of Experimental Enquiry

(a) Principle of Elimination.

(b) Method of Agreement, Method of Difference, Joint Method of Agreement and Difference, Method of Concomitant variation—Definition and Explanation, Symbolic and Concrete Instances, Characteristics, Advantages, Disadvantages.

(c) Testing the Inductive Arguments by applying Mill’s those methods.

Unit 4

Inductive Fallacies

(a) Illicit Generalisation.

(b) Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

(c) Taking co-effects of the same cause as causes of one another.

(d) Taking a necessary condition as the whole cause. (e) Taking an irrelevant factor as a cause.

(f) Bad Analogy.

(g) Testing Inductive Fallacies.

1

Categorical Syllogism

2

Cause

3

Mill’s Methods of Experimental Enquiry (Method of Residues excluded)

4

Inductive Fallacies

Unit 1

International Relations

a) Meaning of International Relations – Development of International Relations as a discipline

b) Some key concepts in International Relations: i) Power – Meaning and components ii) National Interest – Meaning and its role in the making of foreign policy iii) Globalisation – Meaning and its impact on state sovereignty

Unit 2

International Relations in the post-second world war period

Cold war – Meaning and causes of its origin – Evolution – Challenges to Bipolarity: Non-Aligned Movement – its present relevance – From bipolarity to unipolarity

Unit 3

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy – Meaning – Basic features of India’s foreign policy- India and SAARC

Unit 4

U.N.O.

a) Origin – Objectives and principles- major organs of U.N.O. (with special reference to General Assembly, Security Council and ECOSOC)

b) The U.N. and peace keeping operations

Unit 5

Some Major Political Doctrines

a) Liberalism – Basic Features

b) Marxism – Basic Tenets

c) Gandhism- Non-violence and Satyagraha

Unit 6

Organs of Government

a) Separation of Power

b) i) Executive: Functions – political and permanent executive (Bureaucracy) ii) Legislature: Functions and Structure – Unicameral and bi-cameral legislature – Arguments for and against

iii) Judiciary: Functions – Independence of judiciary

Unit 7

Executive in India

i) The President – Election, powers and position

ii) The Prime Minister – Power and position

iii) The Governor of a state – Powers and position

iv) The Chief Minister of a state- Powers and position

Unit 8

Legislature in India

i) The Parliament – Composition and functions – Relation between Loksabha and Rajyasabha– Role of the Speaker ii) State Legislative Assembly (with special reference to West Bengal) – Composition and function iii) Parliamentary procedure – Zero hour, No- confidence, Cut and adjournment motion, Calling Attention Motion (meaning)

Unit 9

Judiciary in India

i) Supreme Court – Composition, Functions and role ii) High Court – Composition and Functions iii) Subordinate judiciary – Structure iv) Lok Adalat and Consumer Court

Unit 10

Local Self- Government

a) Rural- 3-tier panchayat system-composition, functions and source of income b) Urban- Municipality and corporation- Composition and functions and sources of income

1

Survey and observation on the functioning of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti or Zilla Parishad, Municipality, Borough Committee, Ward Committee etc.

2

Women’s participation at local level politics

3

Functioning of the legislative Assembly (If possible)

Unit 1

Intelligence

Definition and nature of intelligence Types of intelligence a) E. L. Thorndike b) R. Cattel c) H. Gardner Theories of Intelligence a) Spearman’s two-factor theory with criticisms b) Thurstone’s Primary Mental Ability Theory Measurement of Intelligence a) Intelligence tests – Definition and types (with one example of each type) Verbal NNon-verbal/performance(Alexander’s pass along and Dearborn Form Board) b) Concept of Mental Age and IQ (Intelligence Quotient) Gifted Children a) Definition b) I.Q. classification c) Characteristics of Gifted child d) Needs of gifted children e) Measures to solve the problems of Gifted child Backward children a) Definition b) Characteristics c) Causes d) Measures to solve problems of backward children

Unit 2

Social Influence and Group Processes

Social Influence – Definition and forms (Imitation, Conformity, Compliance and Obedience) Definition and characteristics of group Classification of groups Characteristics of Primary Groups and role of Primary Group in Socialization Characteristics of Secondary Group and role of Secondary Group in Socialization Difference between Primary and Secondary group Individual and group behaviour Leadership a) Definition of leader b) Characteristics and functions of leader c) What is leadership and how leadership develops d) Types of leadership

Unit 3

Attitude and Social Cognition

Definition of attitude

Characteristics Components

Formation of attitude Measurement of attitude – Likert’s and Thurston’s Scale Change of attitude – Persuasion and Cognitive dissonance with one example Social Cognition with special reference on Schemas Prejudice – Definition and foundation of prejudice Discrimination

Unit 4

Personality

Definition of Personality Characteristics Factors that influence personality (Heredity and Environment) Traits of personality

a) What are traits? characteristics b) R. B. Cattle c) G. W. Allport Personality types a) C. Jung b) Sigmund Freud c) Kret Schrees d) Sheldon Measurement of Personality

a) Interview b) Questionnaire c) Projective Techniques – Rorschach, TAT and Word Association d) Free Association

Unit 5

Adjustment

Definition & Concept of Adjustment (Self, Family, Society) Cause of Maladjustment (Conflict, Sense of insecurity, hostility & Guilt) Symptoms of Maladjustment / Defence mechanisms a) Withdrawal or b) Extreme Introversion c) Day dream d) Projection e) Rationalization f) Repression g) Regression Forms of Maladjustment a) Timidity b) Truancy c) Lying d) Stealing e) Aggressiveness f) Negativism g) Sex offences Counselling – Definition, utility of counselling among students and their family member

Unit 6

Health Psychology

Concept of Health Psychology Definition of stress Causes of stress – Family, School, Vocational, Economic Effects of stress – Brief concept Stress management a) Physical – Exercise, Yoga & Meditation etc.

b) Mental – Positive self-talk, Humour etc. c) External Help – Counselling, Guidance and suggestion

Unit 7

Psychological Disorders

Concept of Abnormality Criteria of Normality (Traditional vs. Modern Concept) Traditional – Neurosis, Psychosis, Difference between Neurosis and Psychosis Modern Multiaxiol System (DSM-IV R) Major Psychological disorders (Symptoms, types, causes and brief outline of management) a) Schizophermia b) Mood disorders – (i) Unipolar – Depression (ii) Bipolar c) Anxiety Disorders – Phobia, OCD, GAD, Panic disorder, PTSD d) Antisocial Disorders e) Substance Abuse Disorders

Unit 8

Identity Development

Identity – Definition Erickson’s stage of psycho-social development Adolescence – Why is it called a critical stage of development Identity Crisis; Mature identity – backed by James Marica’s Path to identity Factors influencing identity development (Personality, family, Peer-group, school, community and larger Society) Gender – Concept and definition of gender, gender role, gender stereotype, gender identity

Unit 9

Environment and Behaviour

Environment – Definition, types and relation between man and environment

Concept of Ecology and Ecosystem Environment Pollution – Types and of Pollutants Environment Education

a) Importance of environment education (Objectives) b) Teacher’s role in environment education c) Students’ Role in environment education

Unit 10

Statistics in Psychology

What is Statistics?

Types of Statistics (Descriptive & Inferential) Role of Statistics in Psychology Short idea of Ranking; Scene; Variable; Scale; Series Frequency Distribution – Tabulation from raw scores; and graphical representation of frequency Distribution – Frequency Polygon and Histogram.

Utility of Frequency distribution Measures of Central Tendency – Concept, Computation and Utility a) Mean (Short method) b) Median c) Mode Measures of Variability – Concept, Computation and Utility a) Range b) Standard Deviation (Short method) Neural Probability Curve – a) Concept b) Characteristics c) Deviations - Skewness and Kurtosis d) Application of NPC Correlation – Concept, Types (Positive and Negative), Utility

1

Problem

10

2

Lab. Notebook

05

3

Viva voce

05

4

Project

10

Unit 1

Sociology in India

Development of Sociology in India; Different perspectives in studying Indian Society; Indological, Historical, Structural-Functional, Dialectical, Subaltern.

Unit 2

Indian Society: Structure and Process

a) Society in Pre-British India: Socio-economic and cultural conditions of Indian Society. b) Processes of Social Change in India: Brahminisation, Sanskritisation, Westernisation, Modernization, Secularization, Globalisation and Liberalisation.

Unit 3

Changes in Social Structure

a) FAMILY: Indian Joint Family; Changes in structure and functions of family; Recent trends in family pattern.

b) RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES: Changes in the economy and Land Ownership Pattern; Rural class structure and Urban class structure.

c) CASTE AND TRIBE: Changes in Caste system: Role of Vivekananda, Gandhi, Ambedkar to Caste system; Caste-Class continuum; Caste in Literature; Tribes in transition.

 d) RELIGION: Views of Vivekananda, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Rishi Aurobindo; Religion in the present day society. e) EDUCATION: Views of Vidyasagar, Rabindranath, Gandhi, Gokhale; Education & Modernization.

Unit 4

Contemporary Social Issues

a) Population, Poverty. Illiteracy and Unemployment: Concepts and their interrelations (in brief); Consequences and Remedies. b) Communalism, secularism, Regionalism and Terrorism: Causes and consequences (in brief). c) Corruption: Concept; Recent Legislations.

d) Women: Changing status of women in India, Violence against women, Women Movements. e) Environment: Ecology-Man and Environment; Crises and Responses (Movements); Legislations. f) Mass-Media: Concept; Role of mass-media in social life (both positive and negative).