DU to introduce course on navigating relationships and emotional resilience

Starting from the 2025–26 academic session, Delhi University will introduce a new general elective course titled "Negotiating Intimate Relationships" to help students better understand emotional dynamics in friendships and romantic relationships.

The course, open to students across disciplines, will be offered by the university's department of psychology.

Framed as a response to growing concerns about emotional well-being among youth, the course will address topics such as romance, jealousy, heartbreak, breakups, and toxic behaviors.

According to the university, rising incidents of violent crimes linked to failed relationships, especially among young adults, highlight the urgent need for structured emotional education.

"These aren't isolated crimes. These are symptoms of a deeply rooted inability to regulate emotions, amplified by constant online monitoring of partners. Without early emotional education, this cycle will only worsen," said a psychologist who requested anonymity.

Recent events in Delhi have underscored the relevance of the course. Between late May and early June, three young women, Komal (21), Vijaylaxmi (19), and Mehek Jain (18), were killed by partners reportedly driven by jealousy.

In 2022, the murder of Shraddha Walkar by her live-in partner drew nationwide attention. Although not all victims were students, the incidents reflect a disturbing pattern of obsessive, emotionally unregulated behavior among youth, experts said.

The four-credit course includes three lectures and one tutorial per week. It is intended for undergraduates with a Class XII background and a basic understanding of psychology. The curriculum is divided into four units.

The first unit, "The Psychology of Friendships and Intimate Relationships," explores how friendships begin and sometimes develop into long-term romantic ties.

The second unit, "Understanding Love," introduces students to key theories, including Sternberg's triangular theory and the two-factor theory of love, along with discussions on sexuality.

The third unit, "Signs of Relationships Going Sour," focuses on early indicators of toxic dynamics, such as jealousy, betrayal, breakups, and partner violence.

The final unit, "Flourishing Relationships," addresses positive strategies like emotional support and communication that strengthen healthy bonds and family dynamics.

The course is designed to be interactive. Students will take part in self-reflection exercises, examine social media behavior, and analyze pop culture representations of love and toxicity. Case studies will include films like “Kabir Singh,” known for its portrayal of violent romance, and “Titanic,” often romanticized for its grand depiction of love.

"Films reflect how love is often idealized or even normalized when it's toxic. But when analyzed in a classroom, they can become powerful tools to deconstruct unhealthy patterns," said Delhi University faculty member Latika Gupta.

"No one teaches how to handle rejection or set boundaries. If we learn this early, some of the tragedies wouldn't happen," she added.