ACADEMICS
Sophia Junior College was started in 1977.
We offer two broad streams of study: Arts and Science,at the Higher Secondary stage of education i.e. Standard XI (i.e. First Year Junior College) and Standard XII (i.e. Second Year Junior College).
In the 'Higher Secondary Certificate' Examination of the Maharashtra State Board for Secondary & Higher Secondary Education, the following subjects are compulsory:
- Environment Education and Water Security
- Health & Physical Education
- First language: English
- Second language: Hindi or French*
*French may be taken by any student. (Previous study of French isnotrequired as the subject is taught at a beginner’s level.)
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (I.T.): Instead of a Second Language, you may apply for I.T. which is a self-financed subject (i.e. it is an unaided course, with no Government aid). There are 30 seats available for Arts, and 30 seats for Science students. Selection of students for I.T. is strictly based on academic merit. I.T. as a subject can not be taken by students who have chosen the subjects of Banking and Office Management, as per HSC Board Rules. The subject of I.T. attracts a separate Subject Fee for each year. If you would like your application for I.T. to be considered, please mention this on your Admission Form. All I.T. applicants must also indicate their 2nd language preference. (just in case you don’t get selected for I.T.)
In addition to the FOUR Compulsory Subjects stated above, there are elective subjects available in the Arts and Science streams, as follows:
ARTS STREAM
The Arts stream has 2 kinds of subjects:
(i) Vocational subjects (i.e. Banking and Office Management)
(ii) Arts subjects (i.e. Economics, History, Logic, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology)
The Sophia Junior College Admission Form will indicate a list of several subjects that are offered in Sophia Junior College.
Basic information about ‘Arts’ subjects that you may be unfamiliar with are given below:
Economicshelps you to know the importance of economic growth and development. You will get an idea of challenges before the economy, information about new economic policies, infrastructural development, and some very basic statistical methods
Logic:One of the important, defining characteristic of human beings is our rationality; that is, our capacity to think consistently and to draw conclusions from available information. This human capacity is called reasoning. Logic deals with reasoning. It focuses mainly on the methods and principles used to distinguish correct from incorrect reasoning. (i.e. Rules of Reasoning). The study of which will sharpen your intelligence. It will enrich your power of reasoning and develop the ability of critical thinking which is so vital today.
Political Science involves a study of political theory i.e. concepts like liberty, equality, justice; political institutions like State, government, nation; World political events and organizations. The Indian political system is also studied.
Philosophy starts with wonder about the world, life and ourselves. It arises from an inquisitiveness of the mind. It studies human life, along with the fundamental principles of right and wrong, good and bad, assumptions of moral ideals etc. It deals with questions like, what is the meaning of life. Does God exist? What is Truth? What are the criteria of truth? Etc. Dealing with such exciting questions of philosophy will increase our understanding of such issues. Learners will acquire the skills such as - general problem solving, communication skills, persuasive powers, ability to conceptualize and ability to anticipate problems and solutions. It will develop their ability to critically analyze the facts and think logically. The study of philosophy will enhance your ability to organize ideas and asses pros and cons. The subject of philosophy has immense potential to change your attitude and approach to life, which in turn could help shape and guide your life.
Psychology is a scientific way to understand our own behavior as well as the behavior of other people. Topics like learning, memory, communication, intelligence, personality and many more are included in this course. Mental health issues, psychological disorders, coping strategies and uses of psychology in daily life are included. Those passionate about the subject may study it further to become trained psychologists, many of whom work in hospitals (as clinical psychologists) and educational institutions or counselling centers.
Sociology Who are the ‘Scheduled Tribes’? How have the notions of ‘marriage’, ‘family’ and ‘education’ evolved over generations? Do the terms ‘gender’ and ‘sex’ mean the same? How do social movements arise? Why is there resistance to change? What is the ‘gender spectrum’? How do superstitions affect human life? Are changes in the name of “development” really beneficial to all strata of society? How does science shape the process of critical thinking about social issues?
Topics like these lie within the realm of Sociology. The subject will encourage you to thinkcritically about what humans believe in, say and do, human relationships, challenges facing the world today, human aspirations, impact of globalization, capitalism, consumerism, environmental pollution, human-animal conflict, and so on.
Arts students who wish to study Mathematics & Statistics instead of an Arts subject, may apply for the same at the time of admission to the Jr. College.
VOCATIONAL STREAM
Compulsory Subjects: Economics and Sociology
Optional Subjects: Banking or Office Management (Each Subject has Paper I & II)
1. Banking: The aim of this course is to build basic skills like operation of bank accounts, understanding modern payments methods; understanding obligations of banks with regard to loans and advances. Skills in book-keeping and accountancy are introduced, for which only basic mathematical rule of BODMAS is required.
2. Office Management as a subject will help you acquire information about skills related to 21st century management and problem solving. Leadership, Team building, developing professional skills (logical, ethical, emotional), principles of management are covered. Basic book-keeping and accountancy is taught. You only need to have the knowledge of BODMAS for this purpose.
SCIENCE STREAM
Compulsory Science Subjects:
1. Physics
2. Chemistry
3. Biology
4. Mathematics & Statistics*
(*In Standard XII, Science students may opt for Economics, Psychology or Sociology, in lieu of Mathematics.)