Course-Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip.C.S.) (For people of all faiths)

General information about this course

The Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip.C.S.) is offered by the Senate of Serampore College (University) for private study. The responsibility for administering the programme is with the Executive Committee under the overall supervision of the Senate of Serampore College.

The Diploma in Christian Studies (Dip.C.S) is offered by the Senate of Serampore College (University) as Extension Study programme. The course is designed to provide a specifically Christian perspective for the study of Christianity, to show the essential unity as well as diversity of the Christian faith, to study the history of Christianity in India and in South Asia as an integral part of the social realities, to interpret Christian faith in its struggles to meet the contemporary challenges to be relevant and contextual, and to promote inter-faith harmony for peaceful co-existence among various religious communities.

Objectives:

  • To impart the study of Christianity, its history, faith and practices.
  • To understand and interpret Bible in the Indian/South Asian context.
  • To provide an opportunity in the Indian/South Asian context for the study of the interaction of Christianity with people of other faiths and cultures.
  • To study the interaction of Christianity with the socio-economic and political realities of Indian/South Asian context.
  • To help the churches to grow and develop various ministries and
  • To promote theological education in regional languages as well as in English.

Registration:

The   academic year for Dip.C.S. course begins in January and ends in December. A candidate is expected to send the “Online Registration” form by 31st October every year prior to commencing the study. The hard copy of the Registration Form should be submitted to the Dean, SCEPTRE, Kolkata along with the following documents within 6th November. The last submission of filled in application form with late fee is on or before 15th November.

The Registration Form should be submitted along with the following documents.

  • Photo copy of the certificates signed by the principal/ Gazetted officer/Head of the Institution.
  • A Birth certificate or School Leaving Certificate as evidence of date of birth
  • The  Registration fee  should  be  sent  by  Demand Draft drawn in favour of the “Senate of Serampore College” payable at, Kolkata.
  • Application submitted without any of the above will be  rejected.

Note: Registration Form along with the Regulations / Syllabus / Application packet are available at SCEPTRE Office, Kolkata at a cost of Rs. 900/- Payable in advance by Demand Draft.

Medium of Study and Examination:

The medium of study and examination shall be English, or any other vernacular language approved by the Senate.

Contact Seminar (Compulsory 2 Contact Seminars)

Contact seminar shall be arranged once in a year before the exams as it will be more convenient to the candidates. The Affiliated Colleges and the exam centres can conduct the contact seminars as approved by the Senate of Serampore College. Prior information must be given to the Dean, SCEPTRE about the dates of the Contact Seminar so that he/she/a representative can be present during such days. Certificates will be issued at the end of the contact seminar which will be used as a proof for attending the contact seminar.

Duration:

The duration of the course is two years starting from January to December. Validity of the registration shall be for four years. However in the case of candidates not fulfilling the requirements by not attending the Contact Seminar in the first year, his/her Registration stands cancelled. He/She has to re-register to continue the programme.

Examination:

  • The Annual Examination will be conducted by the Senate of Serampore College during October/ November each year.
  • Each paper is of 3 hours. The maximum marks for each paper is 100 and covers the subject matter indicated in the syllabus.
  • Student can write minimum six papers and maximum twelve papers during one annual examination.
  • Serampore College, all  affiliated Colleges, SCEPTRE and approved Examination Centres are centres for the Senate All candidates are normally expected to take their examination at one of these centres.
  • A candidate (direct under the Senate) applying for permission to write the examination at an affiliated College or approved  Exam  Centre  must  obtain prior permission from the Principal or head of the institution.
  • Two Contact Seminars (1st year and 2nd year) must be attended. Without Contact Seminar Attendance Certificate, the Senate will not allow the candidates to write the Exam. Fees must be paid accordingly.
  • Online Examination Entry Form must be done on or before 15th July. The hard copy of the Examination entry form along with the consent letter of the Principal/head of the institution must reach the office of SCEPTRE, Kolkata on or before 20th of July and with late fee 31st of July each year.
  • If a candidate wishes to write the Senate examination overseas, he/she should seek prior permission from the Registrar by sending a request and a letter from the  Superintendent  of  Examination  before  15th July of the year of examination. The Senate shall determine the Local Centre and an additional fee has to be paid in such cases.
  • All the Senate examinations for Diploma in Christian Studies shall normally be evaluated by two examiners.
  • The candidate shall apply for re-evaluation of any answer script within ten days from the date of announcement of the results.

Pass and Failure in Examination:

A candidate who fails in any paper or papers is regarded as being “Failed” in such paper or papers and is permitted to offer himself/herself for re-examination in that paper or those papers, or in any other paper or papers that may be substituted in accordance with the Regulations, provided that he/she is able to complete the requirements of the course within the time allowed. Any change for optional paper registration must be applied through SCEPTRE on or before 31st July each year.