In a progressive academic move that blends emotional literacy with higher education, Delhi University’s Department of Psychology has announced a new undergraduate elective titled “Negotiating Intimate Relationships.” Set to launch in the 2025–26 academic session, the course seeks to address the growing complexities of modern relationships and equip students with the tools to navigate them thoughtfully.
The four-credit course, open to all undergraduates, is designed to help students understand concepts of emotional intimacy, recognize toxic behavior, and build healthy relationship habits. It aims to foster a culture of reflection, consent, and communication in a generation shaped as much by Instagram DMs as by in-person conversations.
“We teach students how to solve equations and write research papers—but not how to set boundaries, handle rejection, or identify manipulation,” said Dr. Latika Gupta, a faculty member involved in designing the course. “This course is our response to that educational gap.”
A Curriculum Rooted in Reality
Structured into four key modules, the course examines friendship, romantic relationships, emotional regulation, and social pressures—particularly those amplified by dating apps and popular media.
Students will analyze psychological theories of love, including Sternberg’s Triangular Theory and the Two-Factor Theory of attraction. Just as important, they will discuss real-world challenges: jealousy, gaslighting, breakups, and consent. Tutorials will encourage open dialogue on emotionally charged topics often absent from traditional classrooms.
As part of the coursework, students will critique films such as Kabir Singh and Titanic, examining how mainstream cinema can blur the lines between love and obsession. These cultural dissections aim to deconstruct harmful romantic ideals and foster healthier expectations.
A Response to a Changing Emotional Landscape
The course comes at a time when youth mental health concerns and intimate partner violence are drawing national attention. Recent high-profile cases involving violent outcomes of failed relationships have sparked debate over the need for structured relationship education.
On university campuses, relationship issues frequently appear as one of the top reasons students seek counseling. Educators argue that early conversations around emotional intelligence could play a preventive role.
“This is not a ‘how to date’ class,” clarified Dr. Gupta. “It’s about helping students understand themselves, communicate better, and avoid harm—both to themselves and others.”
Shifting the Role of Higher Education
Delhi University’s move to formally include relationship education in its curriculum may set a precedent for other institutions in India. It suggests a shift toward more holistic student development—recognizing that success in academics alone does not guarantee well-being in life or relationships.
With India’s youth increasingly navigating relationships through the lens of digital media, the university’s decision to prioritize emotional learning signals a timely acknowledgment of what’s missing in traditional education.
“We’re not just shaping professionals,” one faculty member said. “We’re shaping people.”
