TISS–Parzor Online Certificate Program in Parsi Zoroastrian Culture & Heritage
Are you keen to learn about Parsi Zoroastrian culture through an online heritage course? The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai and the Parzor Foundation are conducting a unique online certificate course on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture and Heritage.
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), a Deemed to be a University, and the Parzor Foundation, which was created under the aegis of UNESCO to preserve and promote Parsi Zoroastrian culture, have entered into a collaboration to start a course on Culture and Heritage Studies. As part of this academic program, applications are now open for an online certificate program on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture and Heritage. Conducted under the 'Nirantar: Continuing Education Programs (CEPs)' of TISS, the academic course gives an in-depth understanding of the community through historical, sociological, economic and other perspectives. 
[Image source: ParZor Foundation official website]
There is no age bar, and you have the flexibility to either pursue the entire course or enroll only for individual courses. International applicants, that is, those with a foreign passport or OCI card (NRI Applicants with an Indian passport can choose their status) are also welcome to enroll for the program. Their applications will be handled by the TISS Office of International Affairs (OIA).
Program Features
The online Certificate Program in Parsi Zoroastrian Culture and Heritage is an online course of 10 months starting in September with 50 seats. There will be two to three classes in a week, for 6 to 8 weeks. The complete course has 20 credits, with one Foundation Course and 10 Elective Courses offered, each worth 2 credits. In order to complete the Certificate requirements of 20 credits, you must complete the Foundation Course, any seven Electives and a Research Project/Dissertation. Ensure that you maintain regular attendance and complete assignments on time, as well as appear for periodical assessments and comprehensive exams.
Benefits: You can earn invaluable course credits while pursuing a Degree or Diploma program in Humanities. The course is ideal for researchers and those enthusiastic to delve into the heritage of a micro-minority community. It gives you an insight into the survival of a culture and its customs, rituals, crafts, cuisine and other aspects through changes caused by migration, ecology, and other factors and an understanding of why it needs to be preserved and the best methodologies for achieving this goal. As a program participant, you will get access to a digital resource platform of rare Zoroastrian manuscripts and artefacts.
Faculty: You will learn from highly qualified academicians and cultural experts who include resident faculty members and guest lecturers with expertise in Zoroastrian Studies. Faculty include- Dr. Shernaz Cama, Associate Professor at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University; Prof Siva Raju, Professor for the Centre for Excellence in CSR at TISS; Dr. Coomi S. Vevaina, Professor and Former Head, Dept of English, University of Mumbai; Professor Almut Hintze, the Zartoshty Brothers Professor of Zoroastrianism at SOAS, University of London, and Fellow of the British Academy, and many others.
Mode of Learning: The entire course will be delivered online on the TISS Online Platform (TISSOL). Everything from notes to study materials, assignments and evaluation, will be accessible online. To give guidance in ease of use, an online training session will be scheduled. A qualified Course Coordinator will be overall-in-charge to ensure that there are no hiccups in providing the required materials, and will be the communication link between faculty and students.
Evaluation: You must upload the required documents related to a given assignment or research project, and the assessment documents will similarly be uploaded by the faculty. The evaluation criteria for each course will be determined by the convener conducting that particular course.
Course Options: You can enroll for the entire program or take up individual courses (modules) that form part of the program. If you choose the latter, you have to pay the fee for the individual courses. You can enrol for the individual courses before the start of each of the respective courses during the time when the enrollment window is open.
Scholarships: Meritorious candidates who pursue the entire certificate program can apply for a scholarship towards a partial fee waiver. For this, you need to submit by email a 300-word application which explains your motivation to pursue the program and outline the requirements/eligibility for the scholarship. The email is - tiss.parzor@gmail.com
Program Certificate: On completing the entire program of 20 credits, you will be awarded a TISS–Parzor Certificate in Culture & Heritage Studies. In case you choose the modular option, then, on completing the requirements of the course, you will receive a Completion Certificate from TISS.Course Curriculum Structure
A. Foundation Course: Philosophy , History & Culture.
B. Elective Courses:
Module 1 is Language & Tradition- (i) Oral Tradition, Ecology and Rituals and (ii) Introduction to Avestan.
Module 2 is Parsi Literature: (i) Parsi Literature in English and (ii) Parsi Gujarati & Persian Literature.
Module 3 is Historical Perspectives: (i) History, Archaeology and Heritage and (ii) Print History & Journalism.
Module 4 is Contemporary Studies: (i) Parsis and Modern India and (ii) Parsi Demographics.
Module 5 is Arts, Architecture & Material Culture: (i) Material Culture: Arts, Crafts & Architecture and (ii) Parsi Theatre & Performing Arts.
C. Research Paper/DissertationProgram Fee Structure
The total fee for the Certificate Program in Parsi Zoroastrian Culture and Heritage is Rs. 60,000/-. The fee breakup is given below-
[Image source: official ParZor website]
For international applicants, the fee structure is given below-
[Image source: official ParZor website]
The course fee for the modular option is Rs. 7,500/-.Program Eligibility requirements
Age criterion: You should be 18 years or older.
Educational Qualifications: You should either have completed a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline or are currently enrolled in any undergraduate program. The admission official may consider applications from those not fulfilling this criteria as an exceptional case. Important dates
The last date to submit the online application form is 31st August 2024.
The list of selected candidates will be displayed on the TISS website on 5th September 2024.
The last date to complete the admission procedure, including the 10-days time for paying the fee is 15th September 2024.
The online certificate course will begin on 16th September 2024.
The course will conclude in June-July 2025 (tentative).
Note- The above schedule may change, so you are advised to check the official website for any changes in the dates.
Detailed Program Time Table (tentative dates): The introductory week is starting on 16th September 2024.
The Foundation Course is scheduled to start on 23rd September 2024 and will take approximately six weeks.
Electives 1 and 2 will start from 4th November 2024 (duration- 6 to 8 weeks).
Electives 3 and 4 will start from 6th January 2025 (duration- 6 to 8 weeks).
Electives 5 and 6 will start from 17th February 2025 (duration- 6 to 8 weeks).
Electives 7 and 8 will start from 30th March 2025 (duration- 6 to 8 weeks).
Electives 9 and 10 will start from 11th May 2025 (duration- 6 to 8 weeks).
Fieldwork/Dissertation will be in June-July 2025 (4 to 8 weeks).Application Procedure
Register with an email ID at the TISS Nirantar portal
You will receive a communication on this email ID within approximately 15 minutes of registration. In case you do not receive an email, you should check the SPAM/ JUNK folder of your email. If you fail to receive the same, then you can try registering again and if you still have any problems, then use the contact email ID given at the end of this article.
On receiving the email, you have to go through it carefully and follow the instructions in the email to continue your application process.Selection Process
If you receive an email communication that you have been shortlisted for admission to the course, you may be instructed to attend an online interview. Details of the date and time of the interview will be intimated to you by email. The final list of selected candidates will be posted on the Institute's official website within two weeks after the interview.Contact information
For queries about the TISS-Parzor Certificate Program, you can contact-
The Dean, Academic Affairs, Nirantar – an Academy of Continuing Education,
Tata Institute of Social Sciences,
V.N. Purav Marg, Deonar, Mumbai-400 088
Admissions Helpline Ph.: 022 - 2552 5252 (Monday to Saturday – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Email Id: admissionsinfo@tiss.edu
Parzor Foundation Address: F 17, Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi – 110016, India.
For any queries about the TISS-Parzor Certificate Program, you can send an email to tiss.parzor@gmail.com or send a WhatsApp message at: +91 8007999490 /+91 9321648323.
For more information visit these websites-
TISS Website: https://admissions.tiss.edu/view/10/admissions/stp-admissions/tiss-parzor-online-certificate-programme-in-cultur/
Parzor Website: https://www.unescoparzor.com/
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