History has been a part of the curriculum of U.C. College right from its inception. History was a major subject taught in the intermediate course and was also a subsidiary subject for the BA degree course. Prof. V.M Ittiyerah, one of the Founders of the College, was the first teacher to handle the subject in the college. Though History was taught only at the undergraduate level initially, there were eminent teachers in the department from the very beginning.
 
The renowned Kerala History Scholar Dr. T.I Poonen was one of the early Professors of the department. Dr. Poonen’s contributions to the study of the Portuguese and Dutch periods of Kerala History are widely acknowledged. Rev. B.G Crowley, a missionary teacher from England served as a Professor of History for 15 long years. The History and Economics departments functioned together as one department till 1964. It became an independent department with the starting of the PG course in History in 1965 under the able guidance of Dr. A.K Baby, an eminent scholar and teacher of History. The BA degree course was run as double main course (History and Economics) till 1972. BA course in History was started in 1973 under the initiative of Dr. A.K. Baby, who was the real builder of the History Department. Dr. A.K. Baby continued as the head of the Department of History till 1984. He was also Principal of the college for a term of 5 years. The Department was fortunate in getting the services of many outstanding scholars like Dr. K Marthanda Varma, the first scholar to take up a serious study on the Zamorins of Calicut, Dr. Rajan Gurukkal, a renowned historian and the present Director, School of Social Sciences, M.G. University, Kottayam; and Dr. K.V Kunhikrishnan former Registrar, Cochin University of Science and Technology. The department secured the status of a Research Center in 1985 and remains the only approved research center in History under M.G University.

The Post Graduate programme of the Department being 39 years old is the oldest and recognized as the best in the University. As Archaeology is part of the UG programme, a good number of students prefer to join the programme and enjoy the Dual Degree Programme. There is no other College in Kerala where students can undergo two degrees simultaneously. Girls and boys drawn from near and far join the courses with the result that we have both day scholars and hostellers. PG students opt for the Department due to the long tradition and experience of the Department. Almost every year they fetch Ranks to the Department. Last year our students bagged the First and Second Ranks of M.A. Degree.

The Undergraduate programme of the department is a Dual Degree programme from 2002 onwards. This course is the first of its kind in Kerala. Students acquire BA degree in History and an Advanced Diploma in Archaeology and Museology. The Diploma is acquired by working on holidays and finding extra time on working days. It is a UGC sponsored Vocational course where students acquire vocational skills through training programs and on the job training, which is part of the course.

At present the Department has a built up area of 210 sq. meters consisting of 4 lecture halls, the Dept. staff room, HOD’s room, Archaeological museum, Conservation Laboratory, Reception area and space for computers and library.

Courses Offered

    Under graduate Courses:  BA History
     Advanced Diploma in Archaeology and Museology

   Post Graduate Courses: MA History , Ph.D

Programme

Level of study

Cut-off  marks at  entry level in %

Student strength

BA

UG

65.00%

30

Advanced Diploma in Archaeology and Museology

UG

65.00%

30

MA

PG

70.13%

15

PhD

Research

60.00%

N.A

Academic Programmes

Archeological Museum
The Department started an Archaeological Museum in 1975 under the leadership of Dr.A.K. Baby, Dr.Rajan Gurukkal and Dr. K.V. Kunhikrishnan. It was renovated with the addition of a Conservation Laboratory in 2002. The library of the college has 6477 history books. In addition, the department has a separate library for the staff and another attached to the Archaeology museum for the benefit of the students of Archaeology and Museology.

Forthcoming Events
  • UBCHEA sponsored Awareness Seminar in Cultural, Historical and Archaeological studies on 24-24 Jan 2005
  • Dr. A.K. Baby Endowment Lecture on 5/2/2005 by Dr. M.G.S.Narayanan, Former Chairman ICHR 
  • History day celebrations on 5/2/2005 and an Awareness Exhibition from 1/2/2005-5/2/2005

Faculty

Name of  the Teaching staff

Highest Qual.

Experience  in years

Varkey P.M.

MA

28

Cherian P.J. (on Deputation)

PhD

26

Annie M Thomas

MPhil

25

Marykutty M.P.

MA

25

Varghese C.J.

PhD

24

Abraham Joseph

MA

19

Suja K Sam

MA

18

Annie Jose

MPhil

11

Deepa Joy

MA

1

Rev. Sebastian Mathai

MA

2


Library

Books worth Rs. 25000/- are added every year to this library.  The thrust areas of research undertaken by the department include Local History/Regional History-Kerala, Ecological History, and History of Cochin etc.  For instance, a Rural Employment Development Programme for the Potters of the Karumalloor village was organized in 2003.
 
Significant achievements of the department during the last five years include:
  • Renovated Archaeological Museum
  • Conservation Laboratory
  • Dual Degree Programme
  • Community Extension Programme
  • Rural Employment Development Programme
  • Updating the PG syllabus etc.
The Department plans to start PG in Archaeology, develop the Museum, Library, and Conservation Laboratory, organize Awareness programs etc.
 

Roll of Honour

Activities & Achievements (2000-2002)

Sl No.

Activity/Achievement

Date

Remarks

1

Felicitation to Dr. K V Kunhikrishnan,Registrar,CUSAT

May 2000

  

2

Felicitation to Aparna S

May 2000

1st Rank BA History May 2000

3

Archieves Seminar (One day) at Ernakulam Town Hall

22/11/2000

P G Students attended

4

B G Crowly, a Missionary teacher in History Passed away

7/12/2000

  

5

Two Day Workshop at School of Social Sciences, M G University

29-30 Jan 2001

Dr. P D Johny & Prof. P M Varkey attended

6

Extension Seminar on National Integration

9-10 Feb

2001

  

7

P M Varkey & P D Johny released their UBCHEA Projects

P D Johny released his UGC Project also

24/2/2001

  

8

History day

24/2/2001

Dr. K V Kunhikrishnan inaugurated, P J Cherian took orientation class

9

Farewell to B T Joy

24/2/2001

A M Chacko was the Chief guest

10

Felicitation to Bindu K K (2nd rank) & Seena M S (3rd rank) in MA history 1999-2000

28/2/2001

  

11

Farewell to B T Joy by the dept.

31/3 2001

Family Get together

12

M P Marykutty took FIP Leave for 1 year

31/3 2001

  

13

Seminars conducted for I MA students by Dr. Rajan Gurukkal

7/9/01

14/9/01

12/11/01

At Maharajas College

At SSV College Perumbavoor

At UC College

14

Extension Seminar on Personality Development

5/1/2002

V D Satheesan MLA inaugurated

15

History day

Feb 2

K Muhammedali MLA was the chief guest

16

Application submitted to UGC For starting Vocational Course in Archaeology & Museology

March 2002

  

17

Career Orientation Class by Dr. C J Varghese

March 2002

Rs. 3000/- sanctioned UGC

18

Quiz Competition for Kerala Varma Trophy at SSV College, Perumbavoor

March 2002

Aparna S & Nisha Davis of MA won the competition three times continuously, trophy kept in the dept.

19

ICHR Seminar

22-23 March 2002

Vice Chancellor Dr. Syriac Thomas inaugurated

Activities & Achievements (2002-2003)

Sl No.

Activity/Achievement

Date

Remarks

1

Renovated Archaeology museum inauguration

15/2/03

Dr. K V Kunhikrishnan inaugurated

2

A K Baby Endowment Lecture

Feb 15

Lecture delivered by Dr. K K George

3

Farewell to Dr. P D Johny

Feb 15

At 2 pm

4

Felicitation to Aparna S

6/3/2003

1st Rank MA History 2003

5

Prof. P M Varkey took over as HOD

1/4/03

  

6

Smt. M P Marykutty on  F I P Leave

1/7/03

Research at SSS university, Kalady.

ICHR project on Paliyam Family

7

History Association Inauguration

30/7/03

Miss. Shaila Beevi IAS inaugurated

8

Address by

Dr. Shereen F Ratnagar

28/8/03

Formerly Professor of Archaeology, JNU. Currently Nehru fellow

9

Cochin FM Radio Broadcast

29/8/03

Programme called ‘Hello campus’ in Yuvavani-various programmes by students of Dept.

Activities and Achievements (2003 – 04)
  • Inauguration of Renovated Archaeological Museum by Dr.K.V Kunhikrishnan, Registrar, Cusat on 15/02/2003
  • Dr. A K Baby memorial endowment lecture for the year 2003 by Dr. K K George on 15/02/2003
  • Address by Dr. Sherene F Ratnagar, Formerly Professor of Archaeology, Jawaharlal Nehru University and currently Nehru Fellow on 28/8/2003
  • Cochin F M Broadcasted a programme called ‘Hello Campus’ in Yuvavani, which included various programmes by students of History department.
  • Coaching classes for Civil Services examination started on November 15, 2003, which was inaugurated by Dr. Muraleedharan Nair, Lecturer, PM  Govt. College, Chalakudy.
  • UGC Research project of the study on ‘The Role of the Paliyam Family in the progress of the Cochin state’ is underway by Smt. M P Marykutty
  • Dr. A K Baby memorial endowment lecture for the year 2004 by Dr. K T Thomas, HOD, History, Christ College, Irinjalakuda on 21/02/2004
  • History Association activities are conducted every Wednesday from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm in AB2 Hall. Students are divided into four groups and  competitive programmes are organized.
  • History Association instituted everolling trophies for competitive programmes in the association-
  • Dr. AK Baby memorial everolling trophy for the winners
  • Prof.A.K. AbdulKareem memorial everolling trophy for the second position
  • Prof. BT Joy everolling trophy for the third position
  • Archaeology students actively participated in –
  • World Heritage week celebrations from 19th to 25th November 2003 in the Hill Palace Museum, Trippunithura organized jointly by Centre for Heritage studies, Hill Palace, Trippunithura, Archaeological Survey of India, Thrissur Circle and Dept. of Archaeology, Govt. of Kerala
  • Revival Seminar Series on 26th January 2004 at Town Hall, Ernakulam organized by Centre for Studies in Culture and Heritage of Cochin,  Corporation of Cochin
  • A Glass painting of the ‘Last Supper’ embossed by handicraft (No Machine and Brush) by Mr. Javan Chacko, Alwaye was installed in the  Archaeological Museum on 1/7/2004 by the Principal Dr. Raju K John
  • Photographs of all the retired teachers from the Department of History were unveiled in the department staff room on 3/7/2004 by the Principal
  • History Association activities for the academic year 2004-05 was inaugurated by Dr. E.P.Antony, Secretary, Kerala History Association at 2.30  P.M on 18/8/2004. The same meeting felicitated Miss. Deepa Joy and Miss. Saritha V.C. first and second rank holders respectively of M.A  History 2003.
  • Prof. P.M.Varkey, Head of the department was appointed Dean, Academic for the year 2004-05
  • Smt. M.P.Marykutty joined the department on 1/7/2004 after FIP leave.

Activities & Achievements (2004-2005)
  • The History Association activities started from Wednesday 15/9/2004 onwards. Students of all History classes and Teachers meet regularly on the    fifth  hour (2.30pm – 3.30pm) of every Wednesday in the AB2 hall and organize different programmes on a competitive basis. Mr. Jayesh Kumar II    BA History, Secretary of the Association and Dr. C.J.Varughese, the Staff Coordinator coordinates the activities.
  • Dr. Tomy Varghese of the Economics Department who is also in charge of the Career Guidance Bureau led a Career orientation programme for    History students on 22/9/2004
  • A History Quiz with special emphasis on Gandhiji and the freedom movement of India was conducted on 13th October 2004 in the History    Association. Prof. Ashok Kumar, Dept. of History, Maharajas College, Ernakulam was the Quiz Master. Five teams participated in the competition
  • Open House programmes for BA students were held on the following dates:
..........III BA  Saturday, 25/9/2004
..........II BA   Saturday, 16/10/2004
..........I BA   Saturady, 30/10/2004
  • Students, Parents and Teachers realized the need for more close interactions in future.
  • The dept. received the first installment of Rs.46,000/- UGC development assistance of Post Graduate education during the X plan period for buying books and equipments.
  • II year Advanced Diploma in Archaeology and Museology students attended a Job training programme for two weeks in Dec 2004 at the Centre for Heritage studies, Hill Palace Museum, Trippunithura.
  • III year Advanced Diploma in Archaeology and Museology students attended a Job training programme for two weeks in January 2005 at the Centre for Studies in Culture and Heritage of Cochin, Cochin Corporation, Ernakulam.
  • Smt. Shejeena K.A secured III rank in MA History of the M.G.University examination of March 2004.
  • Prof. P.M.Varkey, HOD was in charge of the College Library from 16/9/2004 – 20/10/2004 as the Librarian was on leave to attend a training programme.
  • Prof. P.M.Varkey, HOD coordinated the UBCHEA Board of Trustees and Staff visit to the College from Nov 9-11,2004
 
 

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