FCC’s Philosophy Dept springs back into action

The department was re-instated last spring, and students are taking a keen interest in the subject.

LAHORE: Forman Christian College’s (FCC’s) Philosophy Department was re-instated last spring and students are taking a keen interest in taking philosophy up as a major subject of study.

On Monday, the department organised “Philosophy Comes to FCC” at the Armacost Science Building Auditorium. Dr Myron M Miller, chairperson of the Philosophy Department, introduced the new academic programmes and courses which would be on offer at the department. Professor of English Dr Kamal Uddin, who also oversees FCC’s annual magazine, FOLIO, said that it was a historic moment that had delighted the entire community. He said that when the FCC was nationalised in 1971, in the Bhutto era, the Philosophy Department was made dysfunctional. Even after the college was de-nationalised in 2003, the Philosophy Department was not re-opened. Dr Kamal Uddin said that it was the large number of student applications for a philosophy department that pushed the FCC last spring to re-instate the department.

Guest speaker, Dr Ghazala Irfan, from the Lahore University of Management Sciences, gave a talk on “Philosophy in the Life of Pakistan.” Dr Grace Clark presented on “Philosophy and the Structure of Society.” Students from several disciplines took part in the event and eagerly asked questions. Three students performed a skit that played around with key questions in philosophy. The FOLIO team had volunteered to organise the event and was actively participating to ensure the evening moved along smoothly and was a success.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2011.