BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani

Pilani Campus
AUGSD

SECOND SEMESTER 2024-2025

Course Handout Part II
Date: 06/01/2025
In addition to part-I (General Handout for all courses appended to the time table) this portion gives further specific
details regarding the course.

Course No. : GS F243

Course Title : Current Affairs
Instructor-n-charge : S. K. CHOUDHARY
Kadam Onkar Rajendra

Course Description:
Introduction to, Importance and scope of Current Affairs; Domains of Current Affairs-Political, Social, Religious, Scientific,
Developmental, etc.; Issues in Current Affairs-Controversial, Non-controversial, Neutral; Sources of Information in Current
Affairs-newspapers, Magazines, Posters, Pamphlets, Manifestoes, recently published books, etc.; Reading: Skimming &
Scanning, Extensive vs. Intensive, comprehension; Understanding current issues, events and information; Interpreting
current issues, events and information; Opinion formation-factors and materials influencing opinion formation; Balancing
and expressing opinion.

1. Scope and Objective of the course:

The objectives of the course are to instill in students the habit of keeping themselves updated on a host of issues
that relate not only to an individual but the society at large and also to inculcate among the students the skills of
reading, understanding, interpreting and forming an opinion on national and international events and issues of
different nature and of various domains.

2. Learning Outcomes:

Having successfully completed all the modules of the course, students will be able to

a. Read about, listen to, interpret and understand current issues covered in print, visual
and electronic media
b. Analyze an issue from various perspectives and understand their implications for an
individual, a nation and the society at large
c. Identify ideological biases in people’s opinion
d. Form informed opinion on any given issue
e. Express opinion in an effective manner
3. Text Book:
Hartley, J. Understanding News. London: Routledge. 1991 (2nd Edn.).

4. Reference Materials:
(i) Fink, Conrad C. Writing Opinion for Impact. Delhi: Surjeet Publications. 2005.
(ii) Wallace, Michael J. Study Skills in English. New Delhi: CUP Foundation Books Pvt. Ltd. 2007.
(iii) National Newspapers and News magazines like India Today and Outlook

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 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGSD

5. Course Structure:
Lecture Learning Objectives Topics to be covered Reference Learning Outcome
No. Unit

1-2 Current Affairs-An overview Introduction to, Importance Ch. 1 To understand

and scope of Current Affairs importance of issues
in current affairs

3-4 To understand various domains Domains of Current Affairs- Ch. 3 To know how to
of current affairs Political, Social, Religious, categorize issues
Scientific, Developmental, etc. into various
domains

5-6 To understand the importance of Issues in Current Affairs- Ch. 4 To realize how
reader as well as writer’s Controversial, Non- certain issues
background in interpreting any controversial, Neutral generates enormous
events/issues/news reactions from
various sections of
society

7-9 To explore the possible sources Sources of Information in To know the sources
of current affairs Current Affairs-newspapers, of information
Magazines, Posters, Pamphlets, related to current
Manifestoes, Recently issues
published books, etc.

10-14 To develop the skills of reading Reading: Skimming & Scanning; Suppleme To learn various
and understanding Extensive vs. Intensive; ntary skills of reading
comprehension materials

15-16 Reading and conceptualizing Understanding current issues, Ch. 2 To learn how to
meaning of events/issues/news events and information understand the
content of an issue

17-18 Exploring implications Interpreting current issues, Ch. 8 To learn how to

events and information analyze an issue

19-22 Opinion formation and role of Opinion formation-factors and Ch. 9 To learn how to form
ideology materials influencing opinion one’s opinion on a
formation given issue

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 BIRLA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE, Pilani
Pilani Campus
AUGSD

23-24 Neutralizing ideological bias Balancing opinion Ch. 10 To learn how to

identify the
ideological biases in
someone’s opinion

25-26 Presentation of views/opinion Expressing opinion Ch. 9 & 10 To develop the skill
of giving one’s
opinion

27-30 Interacting/ listening / forming Guest Expert lectures and To develop the skills
ideas/opinion interactions of listening and
interpretation

31-40 Reading, discussion, formation Practical

and presentation of opinions

6. Evaluation Scheme:

EC.NO. Evaluation Weightage Duration Date, Time Remarks

Component
1 Mid Semester 30% 3/3 AN1 Close Book
Test

2 Assignments* 20% To be announced in the Open Book

class
3 Comp Exam 40% 3/5 FN Close Book

4 Learning Profile 10% Weekly submission

5. *Assignments:
Written-20% (Take Home-10%; class-10%)

7. Chamber Consultation Hour: To be announced in the class.

8. Notices: The notices concerning the course will be shared through Email.

9. Make-up Policy:

The make-up for an evaluation component will be given only in genuine cases. Moreover, the
student has to contact the instructor in charge for prior approval. In these matters decision of the
IC shall be final.

Instructor-in-charge
GS F243

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