Are you decided with your stream but still not sure which subjects to choose?
Is the thought of making a decision at such a young age making you nervous?
Do you feel you are still missing out on important information on available subjects as a choice?
Your confusion is relatable to so many students as class 11th is indeed a decisive and turning point in a student’s career. It just doesn’t end with the selection of a stream- the additional choice of subjects is equally important and a particularly confusing one.
Science and Commerce streams do not have as many options at the school level as humanities does, which has greater diversity to offer.
To bail you out of this baffling dilemma, I have compiled a list of subject options in Humanities to help you choose the right set of subjects.
Recommended Read: Which Stream Should You Choose in Class 11? Here is a Detailed Look at All Streams
What are the Subjects in Humanities in Class 11?
For humanities students, the subject choice in class 11 is almost like a loaded buffet at a restaurant, with a variety of options suited to every taste. CBSE gives you a (nearly) free hand to create subject combinations according to your future career goals.
For example, an aspiring Law student may find it useful to pursue Legal Studies in class 11 and 12. Coupling it with subjects like Political Science and History may give them an added edge.
So, let’s take a comprehensive look at all the subjects on offer in the humanities stream.
Recommended Read: I Chose Humanities Over Science in Class 11th. No Regrets!
1. Economics (with/without Maths)
Economics is the study of processes or systems by which goods and services are produced, sold, and bought and how the economy is run at the larger level (macroeconomics) and at the smaller individual level (microeconomics).
After studying Economics at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, you can enter banking, insurance, service and manufacturing firms, real estate, consulting, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
Recommended Read: What is B.A Economics All About? Career Options & Colleges
2. History
You must be quite familiar with History as it is a compulsory subject till class 10th. In class 11 history, you study world history, the industrial revolution, early societies, empires, etc. On the other hand, you take a deep dive into Indian history in class 12, starting from Harappan civilization going up to British era and post-independence India.
Teaching, research, archaeology, conservation management, civil services, public administration are some of the professions you can enter with History as a major for undergraduation.
Read More: History as a Career in India
Recommended Read: Archaeology 101: Everything You Need To Know To Pursue This Exciting Career
3. Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of human mind and behaviour. It specializes in the study of experiences, behaviours, and mental processes of human beings within a socio-cultural and historical context.
Being a multifaceted discipline, it includes many sub-fields such as child and development psychology, sports psychology, health psychology, clinical psychology, social psychology, etc. It is quite interesting for those are interested in understanding human behaviour in depth. You can go in for a bachelor’s and master’s Psychology to branch out to many different fields.
Recommended Read: Exhaustive Guide to Becoming a Psychologist and its Scope in India
4. Geography
It is the study of the earth’s surface and its relationship with human beings. Broadly it covers a) physical geographic concepts like landforms, flora and fauna- their evolution, location, distribution and development b) human geography involving population, economy, transport, etc. and c) Cartography– the study of map making.
Read More: Geography as a Career in India
5. Political Science
In Political Science you study political processes, the working of various types of governments and institutional organizations and a whole lot of administrative theories and concepts. If power and politics interest you and foreign policies intrigue you, then Political Science should be your choice. Opting for History and Public Administration along with Pol. Science is a wise choice, as they are all complementary to each other.
Recommended Read: What Can You Do After B.A Political Science? Here are 8 Promising Career Options
6. Sociology
For those of you who think critically about human social life, social behaviour and society, Sociology should be an interesting subject choice. In this subject, you get to know more about human societies, their interactions, and the processes that preserve and change them. Sociology also studies social status, social movements, and social change, as well as societal disorder in the form of crime, deviance, and revolution.
Read More: Sociology As A Career in India
7. Philosophy
If you are fascinated by great thinkers and have an innate ability to reason, debate and prove your point, then Philosophy is one subject that should interest you. Philosophy covers issues pertaining to humanity and society, and includes areas like logic, reasoning, knowledge, etc. It provides a base for critical and imaginative thinking and richly contributes to the general good of the society. It is quite a favourite subject of those who wish to appear for Civil Services examinations later on.
8. Human Rights and Gender Studies
This is a field for interdisciplinary study devoted to understanding gender and gender issues. It includes women’s studies (concerning women, feminism, gender, and politics), men’s studies and queer studies. You get to study how gender shapes our identities, our social interactions and our world. In Human Rights, you get to know more about the essential rights for human development, and how human rights interact with the environment and the world around us.
Read More: Career In Gender Studies In India
9. Informatics Practices
As part of this subject, you get to learn the basics of computer hardware and software. Topics covered under Informatics Practices course includes database management systems, operating systems, introduction to programming, and programming languages such as SQL, Oracle, Java for problem-solving, etc. If you are in love with computers, you are sure to enjoy studying this subject in class 11 and 12.
Read More: Careers In Computer Application in India
10. Public Administration
It tells you more about the implementation of government policies and the working of the government machinery. Those aspiring for civil services/ public administration will find this subject useful. Public administrators are public servants working in public departments and agencies, at all levels of government.
Read More: Career In Public Administration In India
11. Home Science
Studied both under Science and Arts, it is an interdisciplinary subject that teaches you about human development, nutrition and food, family resource management, hygiene, family relations, community living, art, clothing, textiles, home management and much more.
Read More: Home Science as a Career in India
Recommended Read: Build a Healthy Career: The Essentials of Becoming a Dietician in India
12. Legal Studies
If law interests you and you aspire to pursue it for your graduation, then legal studies can give you an early start. It gives you an insight into the nature of political institutions, nature and sources of law, evolution of the Indian legal system, civil and criminal courts and processes, family justice system, human rights in India, etc.
Recommended Read: Justice for All: What it Takes to Pursue Law as a Career
13. Media Studies
Media Studies is the perfect subject for those aspiring to pursue Journalism, Mass Communication or media courses after class 12. It will help you gain fundamental knowledge of various forms of media and communication, such as print media, advertising, radio, cinema, television, new media, etc. Besides theoretical knowledge, you will also learn practical skills such as critical thinking, interpersonal skills, presentation skills, ability to work within a team, etc.
Recommended Read: Mass Communication Vs. Journalism: Are they the Same or Different?
14. Entrepreneurship
This subject resembles Business Studies but also offers basic insights and understanding into the principles of entrepreneurship such as definitions, types, requirements, setups, governmental assistance and programs, financial reports, patents, entrepreneurship characteristics and traits, etc. This subject can be an interesting addition to your list if you are interested in understanding business, or are a budding entrepreneur.
Read More: Entrepreneurship As A Career in India
15. Physical Education
An easy to score subject, and an interesting one for those who love sports. You learn about the world of physical wellness, lifestyle and sports. Under this, you cover areas like different types of sports, yoga, physical activity and leadership training, sports psychology, sports measurements, fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, sports training, doping, etc.
Recommended Read: Universities Offering Sports Quota in India
16. Fashion Studies
If Fashion Design is your area of interest, Fashion Studies is a good subject choice to prepare you for the road ahead. This subject gives you a thorough overview of fashion, its theories and fundamentals. You study areas such as factors influencing fashion, key concepts and terminologies in fashion, different fashion professionals and their roles, consumer segmentation, fashion regulatory bodies in India, etc.
Recommended Read: Style Speaks: 10 Careers in the Fashion Industry in India
17. Fine Arts
This subject is a good fit for those who have a talent for, and wish to pursue a career in the Fine Arts. You can opt for any of the following courses under fine arts: Painting, Graphics, Sculpture, and Applied Arts-Commercial Art. In these, you study about the history of Indian Art, coupled with specific practical training in your chosen course.
Read More: Fine Arts As A Career in India
In addition to these, there are a few other optional subjects offered in schools including Indian Hindustani Music, Carnatic Music, different forms of Dance, Agriculture, Creative Writing and foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, and Italian.
Recommended Read: Humanities With Maths: Is It the Right Stream Combination for You?
Career Options in Humanities
Looking at the broad range of subjects offered under the humanities stream, it should come as no surprise that the number of career options for humanities students are aplenty.
All fields from law and government, to management and creative fields, require people from a humanities background because of their broad education, understanding of the nuances of society, and the ability to research and think out of the box. All these qualities can be found in students of the Humanities stream.
You may enter a career as journalist, writer, lawyer, fashion designer, graphic designer, public administrator, psychologist, economist, lawyer, artist, teacher, political scientist, marketing/advertising professional, anthropologist, media and PR professional, geologist, archaeologist, museum curator, social worker…and the list goes on!
Read More: Career Options in Humanities | Upcoming Career Options for Humanities Students
Summing Up
Students who are aware of and curious to learn about the world around them – its history, society, systems, laws and the like – are a good fit to opt for the humanities stream in class 11. However, before you make any call, I would recommend you to do deep research and a thorough analysis of your personal interests, aptitude and career goals. And in case you are not sure, get expert help.
Did this article get you closer to choosing your subjects for the humanities stream? share with us in the comments!
