Delhi University drops paper on discrimination from economics syllabus

NEW DELHI: Delhi University teachers have alleged that a paper on “economics of discrimination” has been dropped from the undergraduate syllabus of BA Economics without consulting with the concerned department. This led to several Delhi University Academic Council members dissenting on the new syllabus at the ongoing meeting on Friday.

The paper in question is a four-credit course that deals with social discrimination, pertaining to race, caste, class, gender,and disability, from an economic framework.

The paper is divided into four units: theories, concepts and measures of discrimination; caste discrimination and inequality; gender based inequalities and discrimination in the economy; and affirmative action.

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Teachers of the economics department at Delhi University alleged that the DU administration dropped the paper, which was to be taught in either semester five or semester seven of BA Economics (Hons.), without prior discussion with the department.

The paper touches on untouchability, caste-based inequalities in education and health; and discrimination among social groups. It also talks about gender and the unequal burden of work, inequalities in female employment situations in India, gendered inequality in health outcomes and the “missing women” of the Indian workforce.

It also has an entire unit dedicated to understanding and discussing theories around affirmative action. Affirmative action is a set of policies dedicated to provide more opportunities to marginalised groups in the society to give them equal opportunities.

Contrary to the norm, the Delhi University is yet to release the full syllabus of all undergraduate courses as the university is shifting to the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF) as prescribed by the University Grants Commission.