India Studies I-100: Introduction to India
30952 1:25-2:15 MW; 7:15 pm film screenings on Wednesdays
Friday small group discussion sections
Introduction to India, organized historically, gives students basic cultural literacy about India. Readings and lectures provide cultural and historical context, and offer critical comment. Visiting lecturers selected from among the faculty who work in the region come M/W; Friday’s class is divided among the core instructor and the AIs for discussion of that week’s material. Weekly film screenings serve as a jumping-off point for further discussion in the small section meetings on Fridays and provide an additional angle on the material covered in the week’s readings, allowing students to hone critical reading/viewing skills.
The first half of the course will examine the birth of the modern Indian nation. To that end, the course will be divided into 4 units, beginning with Partition (3 weeks). Partition raises questions about what led to Partition, and so we turn next to Colonialism (3 weeks). After centuries of foreign rule, why did European colonialism lead to India’s very bloody birth in partition? Colonialism, too, raises questions about the environment (physical, social, political, religious, etc.) the colonizers found, and the next unit covers the ancient and medieval (2 ½ weeks) periods. And finally we return to contemporary India (6 ½ weeks).
The goal of the course is to help students gain cultural literacy about India. By the end of the semester students will understand India within a global context, and have knowledge of the issues, processes, trends and systems that have led to the Republic of India of today. Students will learn to work within Indian frames of reference and perspectives to think critically and solve problems. Faculty’s collective love of the region will lead students to appreciate the arts, religions, philosophies and material cultures under consideration, so that they will become inspired to explore further through more classes and overseas study. Reading assignments will provide critical background that will enrich the film viewings and inform the Friday discussion sessions, and help maintain the thread of continuity throughout the course.
