These days,PhD scholars studying Tin Tin,Barbie

Experts term these innovative topics as a “treat to the mind”,as they are not only interesting but make a serious point as well.

The research paper on Calvin and Hobbes,for example,focuses on post-modernisation and how through a comic strip,Bill Watterson put across his philosophical views.

Another paper on Tin Tin discusses that Hergé had a serious social purpose behind the comics. Since Tin Tin travels worldwide,the writer introduces politics and cultural behaviour of various countries to the readers.

“People find these topics funny but they are really innovative. Students who take up such topics present an innovative piece of work,which is interesting to read and leads to some serious findings,” Prof Shelly Walia,a faculty member at the department,said. “I personally suggest students to take up more such topics for research.”

Two research papers look at how the Barbie doll caters to the society and its influence on the western culture.

One of the papers suggests that the doll was made keeping the white women in mind. Later,considering the need of the society,a black one was introduced. Then a fat one was introduced. The paper analyses how the doll has been used to break fixed cultural symbols.

Other interesting PhD topics include ‘Women and their role in Partition’ and ‘Mother India and fashion’.

The paper on women talks about how they influenced minds of leaders during Partition. The paper on Mother India and fashion discusses commodification of women and deification of Indian women.

Faculty members at the department say students should be given freedom to select their research topics,as they might “end up highlighting some very important issues and insights”.