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Humanities in English - Programme Structure and Curriculum

The Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP) promotes diversity of ideas among people through the implementation of an interdisciplinary undergraduate humanities curriculum. It provides trainings for the pedagogical and professional development of faculty in Central Asian universities. AKHP build bridges within and outside the communities to strengthen the practice of pluralism. Learn about other AKHP programmes.

Introduction to Humanities

The term “humanities” encompasses many concepts including philosophy, cinema, science, religion, society, literature, poetry, history and culture. The programme helps students to identify their ideologies and practice the skills of critical thinking, reading and writing. The student further explores different time periods in past and present to build a stronger perspective of human life.

Individual and Society

The course focuses on the concerns related to an individual’s life, such as, social identity formation, gender, science, technology and ethics, individuality and religion, and natural environment. It offers the perspective of authors from diverse regions and backgrounds. The course provides students with an opportunity to explore contemporary issues and find its impact on an individual’s life.

Identifying Civil Society

In the modern world, any nation requires the support of scholars, politicians, professionals, citizens and students in establishing a strong civil society. In the offered course, students get an opportunity to understand the concept of civil society, its alternatives and how it impacts the human life. The course addresses the questions: What is civil society? How has the concept of civil society evolved in recent human history? Is respect for universal human rights the foundation for civil society?

Tradition and Change

The course entails six themes to understand the dynamic relationship between tradition and change: creation of traditions, religious innovation, tradition nostalgia, urban traditions, tradition versus modernity and globalization and traditions. The course helps students to understand the role of tradition in our everyday life and how it helps individuals to stay connected to their culture.

Seeking Social Justice

The course provides introduction to the concept of justice, and how it guides the action of individuals among communities. The course help students to observe the patterns of justice in communal life and present them with ideas to attain social justice among their societies.

Negotiating Human Nature

The course materials allow students to understand the concept of human nature in relation with diverse cultures, perspectives and ideologies. As the understanding of human nature is controversial, the course allows students to interpret the heated debate involving philosophers, ideologues, artists, social scientists, and theologians.

Rhythm and Movement

The course allows students to understand the influence of music in shaping human society and history. The course materials offer an introduction to dance and music as important disciplines within humanities. It also provides basic understanding of aesthetics in arts. The course materials are chosen from diverse cultures and civilization related to the history of Central Asia.

Art as Appreciation

The course offers an opportunity to understand and appreciate the diverse aesthetics in the field of arts propounded by artists, critics, philosophers and writers. It provides students with tools and understanding to critically reflect on various definitions of arts. Students are provided with a platform to put forward their views on visual arts. The course includes field trips to different art galleries, are given an opportunity to exchange views with local artists and watch renowned films.