Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Use of Metacognitive Awareness for the Optimal Utilisation of Competencies in Ill-Defined Situations: A Study of Oskar Schindler
(Springer, 2020-07) Sangwan, Devika
A grasp over the theoretical concepts directs learners to the comprehension of basic learning but mere acquisition of knowledge does not ensure the path to its applicability in the given situation. Formal education provides engineering students with an environment that allows them to have proper facilities, experts to guide, and well thought -of and critically analysed problems. Awareness of, exposure to, and practice in self-reflective and self-directed learning also known as metacognitive awareness may be put to an incredible use. Engineering education, along with technical aspects, focuses on metacognitive awareness. This qualitative case study attempts to explore knowledge and skills of the character Oskar Schindler in the highly acclaimed real life incident based movie, Schindler’s List. Oskar Schindler uses the concept of ‘simple engineering’ and makes his workers understand or execute a task by helping them understand and implement this concept successfully. This paper also documents the findings of an initiative where Oskar Schindler practically uses his competencies and metacognitive awareness to handle ill-defined or unthought-of problems efficiently, using ignorant and untrained hands.
Role of Self-efficacy in the Learning Output of Engineering Education
(Springer, 2020-07) Sangwan, Devika
Self-efficacy, one’s perception and self-belief in their abilities to do a particular task successfully, plays a crucial part in engineering education. It helps students enhance and strengthen their learning skills. The recent research has added multifaceted and integrated self-efficacy as the main factor of learning, both theoretical and practical. When placed in the professional situation, engineering students seem to face challenges to make significant use of their knowledge despite rigorous exposure to and training in core competency, communication skills, multidisciplinary team work, etc. The paper aims to study the concept of self-efficacy and trace its role in shaping the engineering skills of students. The study is descriptive in nature. The findings indicate that self-efficacy has an essential role in reinforcing the learning output of engineering education.
Why Women are not Allowed to be Daring Enough to have Self-belief and Exercise its Assertion?
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2019) Sangwan, Devika
It is by now clear that a feminist renaissance is under way,’ remarked Adrienne Rich, the great American poet and feminist. Contemporary feminist literature is characterized by issues of women's self-identity, of women coming out from the male-defined domains to achieve independence and the odyssey towards emancipation and self-assertion. Representing the concerns of women in a wide range of contexts across the globe, the anthology Feminist Slants in Contemporary Writings, explores the dynamics of gender oppression and discrimination. The anthology examines the universal themes connecting women all over the world and carries the emblem of women’s identity, liberty, and self- assertion. The book, Feminist Slants in Contemporary Writings, contains fifteen scholarly essays illuminating the feminist mystique and ethos. What unites these essays is the common exploration of the choices that women have to make as a result of their sexed and gendered embodiments. Hence, the fifteen essays in the anthology will prove very relevant to the students and researchers of English Literature.
Dolly Mishra in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara (2006): A Feminist Reading of the Film.
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2015) Sangwan, Devika
The legacy of the Shakespearean plays has been the subject of much scholarly analysis over the centuries. Indeed, so powerful are Shakespearean creations that they not only dominate English literature and English studies, but also have successfully transcended the bounds of culture. Shakespeare’s “divine worth” has proven to be so overpowering that, “like the sun it burns while generations pass”. Shakespeare continues to speak to us, generation after generation, throughout the countries and cultures of the world. His renditions are still so contemporary, so very modern, posing fundamental questions that have become particularly acute in the contemporary era. Heralding a celebration of the human spirit, triumphant even when it is vanquished, Shakespeare’s plays probe and inquire into the intractable issues of the self and the other, the individual and the community, and the very purpose of life. Rarely if ever, is one of his many plays not being performed somewhere in the world, and similarly rare is the tertiary English literature scholar and teacher who has not examined his work at length. His plays are seen, read, and studied across the globe as models of high culture and timeless art.
Unobtrusive Dissemination of the Didactic Teachings through the Indian Folklore
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2012) Sangwan, Devika; Shekhawat, Sushila; Nirban, Virendra Singh
An Encounter with the Labyrinthine Affairs of Life
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2010) Sangwan, Devika
An Enchanting Enigma of Kiran Desai’s Stylistic Nuances in The Inheritance of Loss
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2009) Sangwan, Devika
Exquisite Depiction of Cultural Sensitivities in Doris Lessing
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2009) Sangwan, Devika
As the academic literature is growing, the vibrant field of global analysis is increasing. Shining a light on the pertinent aspects of postcolonial writing, new urges in postcolonial literature, which is an anthology of scholarly articles, brings together emerging critical voices to engage in the major debates within existing postcolonial studies, addressing issues such as hybridization, subaltern voices, decolonization, multicultural and border cultures. The authors critically examine the relevance of postcolonial theoretical perspectives and discuss the issues of empowerment and empowerment; tensions between modernity and tradition; and ideas of development as connected to understandings of race, gender, caste and subalternity. The book engages with the issues raised by contemporary practitioners, and offers a variety of illuminating insights on the fascinating subject of postcolonial studies which will enlighten the students, researchers and teachers of English literature.
Existential Concerns in Toni Morrison
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2006) Sangwan, Devika
English is being written and read today by more people outside England than inside. This applies no less to the women writers in English across the globe who have made their unmistakable mark in English literature[s], especially in the last century. The present volume,—the second in the new projected series of Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, Studies in Women Writers in English—bears evidence to this phenomenon as the critics address women writers in English in various parts of the globe rather than concentrating on canonised mainstream authors and texts, and thus mainstream writers figure only referentially, in the margin of these critical texts, as it were. Again, understandably Indian writers take over a chunk of the space. However, the essays included in this volume cover authors from America, Canada and India, and also some general theoretical discourse regarding feminism and marginal literature. The authors discussed in this volume are Christina Rossetti of England, Emily Dickinson, Harper Lee, Lorraine Hansberry and Sylvia Plath of America, Margaret Atwood and Beatrice Culleton of Canada, and Kamala Markandaya, Kamala Das, Nayantara Sahgal, Anita Desai, Githa Hariharan of India. Apart from this a wide spectrum of Indian writers have been referred to and treated in the general articles on feminist theory and practice, especially in India today, and yesterday. The sixteen essays of the volume will be found interesting as well as useful by students, teachers and scholars and will also be enjoyed by the general readers.
Disastrous Synthesis of Desire and Duty in Manju Kapur’s Difficult Daughters
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2006) Sangwan, Devika
The new series--Studies in Women Writers in English--is a grateful acknowledgment of the contribution and public recognition of the emerging voice of women in the arena of literature during the last few centuries, and especially in the latter half of the twentieth century. Women writers across the globe have made their distinctive mark, with their own perception of life--be it feminine, or feminist or female. The present volume, the fifth in the series, introduces critique of work by women writers; it bears evidence to the growing critical attention towards authors writing outside the mainstream, in America, Canada, and especially in India. The eighteen essays included in this fifth volume of the series cover a wide spectrum of women writers across space and time. The women writers discussed in this volume include one from Britain, i.e., Mary Shelley, one from America, i.e., Toni Morrison, the Nobel Laureate for literature in 1993, one from Canada, i.e., Margaret Laurence, and a host of Indian writers, from an early pioneer like Krupabai Satthianadan to the partition novelist Bapsi Sidwa, as well as contemporary avant-gardes like Shashi Deshpande, Anita Desai, Shobhaa De, Manju Kapur, and Arundhati Roy as well as the émigré Indian writer Bharati Mukherjee. Since most of the authors discussed in these articles are prescribed in the English syllabus in the universities of India, both the teachers and the students will find them extremely useful, and the general readers who are interested in literature in English and/or women writers will also find them intellectually stimulating.
Diaphanous Expose of Human Values in Jhimpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2005) Sangwan, Devika
Since its inception in 19th century, Indian writing in English has coruscated worldwide and the English works of Indian authors have been highly appreciated even by the people of English-speaking nations. Not remaining confined to the restricted gamut of themes and style of olden days, Indian writing in English has made its Dent in myriad human concerns at the hands of great number of Indian writers. In the present anthology, a sincere attempt has been made to provide an in-depth study of the works of reputed Indian authors like bhabani Bhattacharya, Amitabh Ghosh, Shashi Tharoor, Raj Kamal Jha, Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, br> Shobha de, Manju Kapur, Anita Nair to name but a few. Aiming at encouraging variegated opinions without conforming to fixed and rigorous critical canons, the anthology not only focuses on novels but also on the other forms of literature that are brilliant evocation of historical, philosophical and social Issues of great importance. It also traverses through psychological and subliminal issues. Contributors to the present anthology have explored the varied aspects of literary works of the noted and award-winning writers, besides analysing critically and impartial the question of equal rights for women raised by the eminent Indian writers in their works. It is hoped that Indian writings in English would prove indispensable for the students of English literature and would even appeal to those interested in the English works of Indian writers. It will undoubtedly enkindle in readers an avid interest towards their works and also help them sharpen their critical understanding with its ample food for thought.
The Portrait of a Lady: A Journey from Self Deception to Self Destruction
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2005) Sangwan, Devika
Wherever there are people there will be a Literature. A Literature is the record of human experience and people have always been impelled to write down their impressions of life. They do so in diaries and letters, in pamphlets and books and in essays, poems, plays and fiction. In this respect American literature is like any other, though it displays many characteristics that are similar and many that are dissimilar to the literary tradition of other nations.
A Clash between Male Chauvinism and Existential Concerns
(Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd., 2003) Sangwan, Devika
Out of evil cometh good.” one of the important consequences of colonialism in India is the birth of Indian English literature. The process through which it developed had three distinct stages. In the first stage there was admiration and imitation of the Western models. After the first flush was over, a reaction set in. That was the second stage, The stage of resentment and rebellion. This naturally led to the third stage—the one we are passing through—the stage of self-discovery and self-assertion. The writers now draw on the rich cultural heritage of India and at the same time explore its contemporary relevance. A writer of an independent country cannot afford to lose touch with social reality and he must understand, transcribe and recreate it in Verbal artefact. The task is rendered more difficult because the Indian English writers are obliged to write in a language they are not born into. But the writers have remarkably overcome all these difficulties and, looking at the achievements of the Indian English writers, it can be definitely claimed that Indian writing in English has come of age and has completely got over ‘the anxiety of influence.’ The nineteen essays that constitute this volume cover a wide range of authors and subjects. Starting with Nirad C. Chaudhuri, one of the greatest thinkers and most controversial writers of the last century, the essays shed new lights on different aspects of the makers of Indian English literature: Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan, Manohar Malgaonkar, Nayantara Sahgal, bhabani Bhattacharya, kasthuri sreenivasan, Vikram Seth, Kamala mark an day a, Anita Desai, Arundhati Roy, a.K. Ramanujan and Kamala Das. Since Indian writing in English is prescribed in most of the universities in India, both the teachers and the students will find this volume very useful and anybody interested in Indian writing in English will also find these luminous essays intellectually stimulating.
Learning Transversal Competencies from the Soldiers: A Study of Saving Private Ryan
(Taylor & Francis, 2022) Sangwan, Devika; Bhattacharya, Sankar Kumar
Audio-visual media such as movies are increasingly taking a prominent role in education worldwide (Devika et al. Citation2020). The edificatory uses of movies have been recently considered particularly quick and effective and labeled edutainment, (Djamàa Citation2016). The movies with their visual reality nowadays have become an effective and long-lasting means of influence on the audience by inviting and allowing the audience to explore and experience new occurrences that take place in the real-life world (Zhang Citation2013). With its own discourse in learning, films as a significant tool even teach good habits of mind (Iranmanesh and Darani Citation2018). Though created not necessarily with an eye to accuracy or truthfulness (DATABASES: Library of Congress Citation2021; Marwick Citation2010), film as an artifact deserves the serious attention of historians. Recasting a literary historic and classic piece into a cinematic adaptation offers a new vista to the insightful understanding of lavish yet everlasting values with a fusion of esthetics and stark life truths that persist irrespective of the time (DATABASES: Library of Congress 2021; Strong and Lotter Citation2015; Vergara Citation2015). Analyzing films is in a way transformation of an iconic and indexical experience into a symbolic one that is able to be verbally expressed. Considered a noble reviving of the preciousness, adaptations materialize an entry into a new world extracted from the real-life heroic and horrific incidents of World Wars (Baiju Citation2018). After WWII, there was a huge competition in presenting the lively scenes of the battle. Hollywood has a remarkable importance in such various events, experiences, wars, ages, and epochs assisted in forming the history of each nation. As a learning tool, in research and practice, movies keep on receiving two persistent questions on movie usage: How can learning be made easy through the movie? What is the authenticity of such learning?.
The philosophy of Be, Know, and Do in forming the 21st-century military war-front competencies: a systematic review
(Taylor & Francis, 2021-05) Sangwan, Devika
21st-century military operational environment is characterised by changeability, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Hence, the military primarily aims to groom and develop essential competencies of the soldiers for success and survival. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesise 21st-century military war-front competencies to connect to the philosophy of Be, Know, and Do to analyse what a soldier must Be, what a soldier must Know, and what a soldier must Do to successfully fulfil the responsibilities and assigned roles. This philosophy relates 21st-century military competencies to the best set of meta-competencies according to the functionality in the operational environment. The study identified 300 pieces of research and 15 military field manuals published in various journals and databases. For each research, purpose, corresponding competencies, and criteria were used to analyse competencies. This research aims at preparing a conceptual framework of 21st-century military war-front competencies.
Development of the Transversal Competencies in Learning Factories
(Elsevier, 2020) Sangwan, Devika; Sangwan, Kuldip Singh
Transversal competencies in engineering education enable the engineering graduates to be competitive and adaptive to address the real world industry needs. Learning factories (LF) are suitable tools for enhancing learning experiences where the core competencies and transversal competencies are applied according to different work related situations. Different accreditation agencies have identified and classified different transversal competencies according to the learning outputs of engineering education. This paper tries to identify which of the transversal competencies can be strengthened by the engineering graduates in the learning process at the LF at the stage of planning, execution, and reflection. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with instructors and students who have experience with the LF. LF provide the suitable environment to help engineering graduates to understand and develop transversal competencies – teamwork, communication, creativity and innovation, and lifelong learning – at different stages.
Influence of metacognitive awareness on engineering students’ performance: a study of listening skills
(Elsevier, 2019) Sangwan, Devika
Educative learning equips learners not with a mechanical set of skills but with a fertile thinking that enables them to holistically nurture their knowledge and skills. Metacognitive awareness, an advanced understanding and execution of skills helps learners not only acquire knowledge of their own cognitive processes but also manage learning activities. This paper aims to trace the impact of metacognition on the extent of the learning (listening skills), the difference between the levels of understanding (assumed and attained), learning of the performance and application of theoretical knowledge of listening skills among engineering students. The study proposes a five-step AWARE concept of metacognition to help the learners become more aware of and reflect on their learning. The study has used consecutive sampling technique and participants are engineering students of BITS Pilani, India. Engineering students assume that their level and clarity of awareness is very high but the findings do not support their assumption. There is a gap in the theoretical acquisition and practical applicability. Metacognition helps learners understand what they know, what they do not know, what they learn, and how they learn. Understanding of and clarity about the process of learning would enable the engineering students to use their listening skills in the learning factories to facilitate the sharing of information.
Research-based Learning for Skill Development of Engineering Graduates: An empirical study
(Elsevier, 2019) Sangwan, Devika; Sangwan, Kuldip Singh
The engineering graduates should have interdisciplinary knowledge in addition to theoretical knowledge to survive in dynamic industrial environment. Literature reveals that Indian engineering graduates need to develop problem solving, solution development, social skills in engineering graduates. Research-based learning (RBL), one of the outcome-based learning techniques, closes the gap between theory and application. It involves the learner to design, experience and reflect the entire process of learning. Inquiry forms one of the important elements of RBL which also develops creativity and discovering new techniques breaking the monotonous process for solution development. The present study conducted an empirical analysis to examine the role of RBL in skill development of engineering graduates. The participants are the recent graduates of Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Pilani campus and those who had done thesis/dissertation. Thesis/dissertation involves the learner in research process such as problem identification, hypothesis formulation, design, data collection and analysis, interpretation, critical review, etc. An online survey questionnaire has been used to assess the skills. The results demonstrated that the use of RBL develops and enhances problem solving, domain knowledge, language and communication, communication & information technology, general learning, academic knowledge, attitude, ethics skills. It is also opined that use of RBL and activities will foster to reduce the gap between the skills required in the industry and learned at the university. Thus, it is important to integrate the RBL in engineering curricula to provide exposure and develop required skills.
Journey of the Displaced from Idealization to Realization in Anita Desai’s In Custody
(IJMESS, 2018) Sangwan, Devika
Displacement cannot be bound to any single aspect but tends to include anything and everything that marks the distance and shift in real or ideal sense. This paper focuses on the eye opening journey of the protagonist of Anita Desai’s novel In Custody. Enamoured by the flimsy cobweb of his idealism Deven stops to grow which makes him a misfit in his familial, social and professional life. A chance to interview his ideal Urdu poet Nur proves to be chance to bring him face to face with the reality of his abject failure. Dejected, rejected and thrown to the corridors of lamentation. He realized that the life lived and the life desired may not be necessarily and seemingly same. This meeting serves him from falling down in the same abyss. He may not turn out to be an epitome of perfection but at least he has touched upon the realization not to glide down.
Velutha's Marginalized Sublimity in Arundhati Roy's The God of Small Things/ 37
(Literary Voice, 2017-03) Sangwan, Devika
Suppression, all pervading mercurial phenomenon accommodating marginality of caste, race, money, etc., nurtures some of the major disparities in human society, only to deprive the deserving souls of the credit and bliss of fulfillment. The deprivation not only stubs the burgeoning acknowledgment of the bounties of life but also smashes the tender sensibilities only to let the resentment settle in. The apparent quality of untouchability by birth and the inherent qualities of the sublimity of soul always remain in tussle for “… a real individual, lovable, thwarted, sometimes grand, sometimes weak (with) … broad intelligent face, (and) graceful torso” (Anand vii). Viewed against the backdrop of social iniquities and flagrant violations as the disdainful baggages of History, the most “striking aspect of the novel, The God of Small Things is the treatment of the dalits. Velutha stands out as the representative of the untouchables in the novel. They were a class of people who were not allowed to walk on the public roads, not allowed to cover their upper bodies and not allowed to carry umbrellas. To add to the humiliation they had to put their hands over their mouths when they spoke, to divert their polluted breath away from those whom they addressed” (Manavar 124-125). In spite of all these social barbarities, unpleasant choices and denied the space to explore successfully, Velutha manages to become the god of the small things to a woman and her children who matter to nobody. His supposed lacuna, a low caste birth, makes him more outstanding against the backdrop of so-called superiors. Indubitably, his societal duties and responsibilities include no rights, no equality and no dream of acceptance, not to speak about respect. Societal paralytic incumbency fails to etiolate his human