The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the nature of culture and the cultural diversities of our world. Culture is built up on nature—on its ecosystem and civilization. There should be a shift of the ‘centre of gravity’ from cosmos to human being. We will explain how the dialectics of the tireless efforts of humans for the mastery over nature and the awareness of the hidden mysteries of nature lead them to the appreciation of beauty, harmony and order of this universe. Our answer to the question ‘what is culture?’ is to be derived from the human person’s incarnation to a particular culture and his struggles of belongingness to it. Culture must be based on the understanding of a common dignity to all human beings, and therefore be a spiritual and material development that fosters the growth of a free and relational human society.
- Brandist, C., The Bakhtin Circle: Philosophy, Culture and Politics, Manchester, 2002.
- Brandist, C., Bakhtin and Cultural Theory, Manchester, 2001.
- Jameson, F., Post-Modrenism or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, Dugham, 1984.
- Elamkulam, K., Samskarathinte Nazhikakallukal (The Mile Stones of Culture)
- Gopalakrishnan, K., Kerala Samskaram (The Culture of Kerala).
- Sredharamenon, A., Kerala Charitram (The History of Kerala).
- Mohan, R. P., A Thomistic Philosophy of Civilization and Culture, Catholic University of America Press, Washington 1948.