BA Subjects and Syllabus
BA syllabus is divided into 6 semesters over 3 years and focuses on a broad spectrum of coursework that generally includes core concepts of humanities, social science, politics, and more. The Bachelor of Arts syllabus aims to understand human society, culture and thought through subjects such as literature, languages, history, philosophy, psychology, political science, and more.
Bachelor of Arts core subjects include english communication, environmental science, history and Indian culture, economic development, and more. Students can also select elective subjects as per specialization, such as social psychology, modern literature, urban sociology, international economics, and more.
BA course also help students develop various skills, such as critical thinking, communication, research, writing, public speaking, data analysis, digital literacy, analytical abilities, and more., as a part of skill-enhancement courses in the curriculum.
Table of Contents
Semester-Wise BA Syllabus 2025
BA semester wise syllabus varies as per the specialization chosen by the student, but the fundamental subjects remain same irrespective of the specialization chosen by the student. The BA subjects 1st year primarily focus on foundational topics related to the fields of humanities and social sciences. The 2nd and 3rd year BA syllabus focuses on going deeper into specific topics within the major of choice, providing advanced courses that expand on the first year's core knowledge.
BA First Year Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025
Students pursuing BA can check the table given below to get an quick breakdown of BA first year syllabus 2025.
| BA Syllabus Semester 1 |
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| English Communication | Skill Enhancement Course-I |
| Environmental Science | History and Indian Culture |
| Foreign/Regional Language | - |
| BA Syllabus Semester 2 |
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| Economic Development | Psychological Research |
| Indian Polity/Political Science | Skill Enhancement Course-II |
BA Second Year Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025
Students can check the BA semester 3 & 4 syllabus breakdown in the table given below.
| BA Syllabus Semester 3 | |
| Western Philosophy- Descartes ti Kant | Text of Western Philosophy |
| Life Skills | American Literature |
| Cultural Education-I | |
| BA Syllabus Semester 4 | |
| Social and Political Philosophy: Indian and Western | Continental Philosophy |
| Writing Skills | Canadian Literature |
| Elective | |
BA Third Year Semester-Wise Syllabus 2025
Students can check the overview of the BA semester 5 & 6 syllabus in the table given below
| BA Syllabus Semester 5 | |
| Social Welfare Administration | NGO Movement |
| Elements of Literary Criticism | Elective |
| BA Syllabus Semester 6 | |
| Social Action and Movements | Research Project |
| Research Proposal | Spiritual Literature |
- Quick Links to Understand Bachelors of Arts
BA Subjects- Core & Electives
BA subjects include a mix of core and elective subjects, varies as per the specialization chosen by the student. BA subject areas include Philosophy, History, Literature, Economics, Education, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Library Science, Archaeology, and so on.
Listed below are year-wise core & elective subjects under the BA syllabus.
BA Core Subjects
Listed below are some of the core BA subjects that the students study in first year irrespective of their specialization. Listed below are common subjects along with topics covered in each subject:
| BA Core Subjects | Topics Covered |
| English Communication | Communication Skills, Public Speaking, Written Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Cross-Cultural Communication |
| Environmental Science | Ecology, Environmental Pollution, Conservation Biology, Climate Changes, Sustainable Development |
| History and Indian Culture | Ancient Indian History, Medieval Indian History, Modern Indian History, Indian Art and Architecture, Indian Philosophy |
| Indian Polity/Political Science | Indian Constitution, Political Institutions, Public Administration, Political Ideologies, Governance and Policy Making |
| Economic Development | Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Economic Growth, Development Policies, Globalization, Poverty Alleviation |
| Psychological Research | Research Methodology, Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Psychological Testing, Ethics in Research, Literature Review |
- Quick Links for the Top BA Colleges 2025:
BA Elective Subjects
BA Elective subjects can be chosen by students as per their interest areas, with a focus on developing advanced skills and knowledge in specialized areas. The elective subjects in BA are listed below as per the specialization:
| Specialization | BA Elective Subjects | Topics Covered |
| Psychology |
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| English |
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| Economics |
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| History |
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| Journalism and Mass Communications |
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| Sociology |
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Specialization-Wise BA Subjects and Syllabus
BA offers several specializations and the core subjects differ for each stream. Candidates get to pursue these subjects from semester 3 to semester 6. Detailed below are some of the popular specializations and their corresponding course structure:
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BA Specialization List |
Subjects Covered |
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Important Specialisation in BA Syllabus and Subjects:
- Related links students can consider to know more about BA:
BA Distance Education Subjects
Distance BA is a three-year program that provides students with knowledge of literature, history, sociology, psychology, and more. Regular BA syllabus cover core subjects such as English, History, Sociology, and Economics, emphasizing theoretical concepts and practical applications.
Distance BA programs, offered by colleges like IGNOU and DU SOL, offer subject flexibility and self-paced learning through pre-designed study materials, that differ in delivery mode. Also, distance BA focuses on remote learning and assessments.
The distance BA syllabus common subjects is shown in the list below.
| The Structure of Modern English | Global Politics |
| Psychology of Individual Differences | History of the Modern World |
| Psychological Research | Environmental Studies |
| Ethics In Public Domain | Foundation Course in Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Public Policy and Administration in India | Foundation Course in Hindi |
| Understanding Prose and Poetry | The Structure of Modern English |
| Indian Economic Development: Issues and Perspectives | Foundation Course in Science and Technology |
Bachelor of Arts Course Structure
The BA course structure consists of both core and elective subjects. The course is a three-year-long undergraduate course, divided into six semesters. From the third semester onwards, students are introduced to specific subjects related to their specialization. The course structure is:
- VI Semesters
- Core Subjects
- Elective Subjects
- Undergraduate Course
- Research Project
BA Teaching Methodology and Techniques
BA teaching methodology and techniques encompass traditional lecture-based training. The traditional classroom teaching methods allow the students to ask the queries they might have and get answers to them. The course has teaching methodologies and techniques designed to ensure that the students pursuing this course have access to all the infrastructure and facilities available.
Listed below are the teaching methodology and strategies in general:
- Lectures
- Practical Sessions
- Research Papers
- Seminars
- Group Discussions
- Traditional Classroom-Based Teaching
BA Books
The BA reference books as per the specialization chosen by students like history, english literature, geography, etc. The BA 1st year syllabus focuses on making students understand the core concepts of the arts, irrespective of specialization. Below listed are BA 1st year books:
| Books | Authors | Topics Covered |
| Introduction to Sociology | Anthony Giddens | Sociological Perspectives, Social Institutions, Culture, Social Stratification, etc. |
| Principles of Microeconomics | N. Gregory Mankiw | Supply and Demand, Market Structures, Consumer Behavior, Producer Theory, Elasticity, Market failure |
| English Literature: An Anthology | AK Kamla | Literary Periods, Major Authors, Literary Analysis, Literary Genres, Cultural Contexts |
| World History: Patterns of Interaction | McDougal Littell | Ancient Civilizations, Medieval Europe, Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, World Wars |
| Introduction to Psychology | James W. Kalat | History of Psychology, Biological Bases, Sensation, Learning and Memory, Psychological Disorders |
BA Course Projects
When pursuing a Bachelor of Arts course, research projects are an integral part of the studies. These projects are assessed by the professors to judge the student's understanding of the subjects in the 3rd year of the course. Students can choose their project topics based on the specialization they choose to pursue.
Some of the popular research projects are listed below:
- Study of marginalized voices' representation in literature, art, and media
- Analysis of the effects of economic globalization on trade and labor markets
- Examination of cross-cultural communication and its function in fostering comprehension
- Study on how social media affects public opinion and political activism
Top BA [Bachelor of Arts] Colleges
Top Arts Entrance Exams
BA Fee Structure
FAQs on BA Syllabus and Subjects
Q: What are the major subjects offered in BA?
Common subjects include:
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English
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History
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Political Science
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Economics
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Psychology
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Sociology
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Philosophy
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Public Administration
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Geography
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Hindi and other regional languages
Q: Is the BA syllabus the same across all universities in India?
No. While many follow the CBCS (Choice Based Credit System) prescribed by UGC, each university has its own detailed syllabus and structure, which may vary.
Q: How is the BA syllabus assessed?
BA syllabus is assessed in the form of exams, essays, presentations, and projects that help evaluate students understanding of the subject matter.
Q: Are there any electives for BA course?
BA courses offer elective subjects as per the specialization selected by the students, such as BA Psychology includes Health Psychology, Social Psychology, etc., whereas BA Economics syllabus includes Environmental Economics, International Economics, etc.
Q: What are the elective subjects covered in BA syllabus of Manipal University if I want to do an online BA?
The elective subjects covered in online BA at Manipal University are world religions, comparative politics, the psychology of human behavior, etc.
Q: Is the BA syllabus updated regularly?
Yes. Most universities revise their syllabus every 3–5 years to reflect current trends and academic developments.
Q: What is the difference between BA Pass and BA Honours?
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BA Honours focuses more deeply on one subject (e.g., BA (Hons) in History).
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BA Pass (or General) includes a broader range of subjects without specialization.
