CURRICULUM
THE MAJOR
The major in South Asia Studies is designed to acquaint students with the many facets of South Asian civilizations through an interdisciplinary study of the languages, literatures, histories, religions, arts, social and political institutions, and cultural patterns of South Asia, the region defined as including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the South Asian Diaspora.
Students are expected to concentrate in one area of South Asia Studies, defined either in relation to a theme: such as international development, cultural expression, gender, ethnicity and identity. The major requires four courses in the area of concentration above the 100-level, including at least one of the required 300-level units. Advanced study of Hindi/Urdu (or of another Indian language) may be substituted for the Hindi/Urdu requirement and may be pursued as either a 250 course, or an approved course at another institution. Majors devise their own programs in consultation with an advisor from the affilitated faculty and with the approval of the program director.
For students entering in Fall 2009, the major in South Asia Studies requires 9 units, including 2 units of elementary Hindi/Urdu (or demonstration of its equivalent), one course in the humanities from among: SAS 210, SAS 211/REL 281, SAS 251/REL 251, and ENG 277 and one course in the social sciences from among: HIST 272, HIST 276, POL2 211, POL3 223 or SOC 233, and at least 2 additional South Asia related units above the 100-level, and 2 South Asia related units at the 300-level. For students entering prior to Fall 2009, the major requires 9 units, including SAS 210 (or its equivalent) and at least 4 additional South Asia related units above the 100-level and 2 South Asia related units at the 300-level.
THE MINOR
A minor in South Asia Studies consists of five units, of which at least one should be at the 300-level (excluding 350). A program for the minor must include one course in the Humanities from among SAS 210, SAS 211/REL 281, SAS 251/REL 251, and ENG 277 and one course in teh social sciences from among: HIST 272, HIST 276, POL2 221, POL3 223 or SOC 233; only one course at the 100 level can be counted towards the minor. Elementary Hindi/Urdu does not count toward the minor.
HONORS
The only route to honors in the major is writing a thesis and passing an oral examination. To be admitted to the thesis program, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all work in the major field above the 100-level; the department may petition on a student's behalf if her GPA in the major is between 3.0 and 3.5.
Current Courses in South Asia Studies (2009-2010):
HNUR 101-02 Elementary Hindi/Urdu (I and II, Fall/Spring):Shukla- Bhatt
An introduction to the most widely spoken language in the South Asian sub-continent, also used extensively for inter-regional and international communications. The language ––often referred to as "Hindustani”–– is written in two different scripts: the Perso-Arabic based Urdu, and the Sanskrit based Devanagari (Hindi). Students will learn to converse in the language and also to read and write in both scripts. Conventional teaching materials will be supplemented by popular songs and clips from contemporary Indian cinema and television. Each semester earns 1.0 unit of credit; however, both semesters must be completed satisfactorily to receive credit for either course.
Prerequisite: Not open to students who have taken this course as SAS 101-102.
Distribution: None.
HNUR 201-202 Intermediate Hindi/Urdu (I and II, Fall/Spring): /Bard
Intermediate Hindi/Urdu will build on the reading, writing and speaking skills acquired in Introductory Hindi/Urdu course (101-102). The readings, drawn from simple literary texts as well as from social and journalistic writings, will reinforce the grammar learned in the introductory course and introduce new grammar topics. The writing exercises - mainly in essay formats - will stress usage of idioms and sentence constructions by students. The class will be conducted in Hindi/Urdu with a part of every class dedicated to conversation on the theme of the day in the language. Each semester earns one unit of credit; however, both semesters must be completed satisfactorily to receive credit for either course.
SAS 211/REL281 Sacred Arts of South Asia (Spring): Shukla-Bhatt
Cultural life in South Asia is vibrant with aesthetic expression of religion in its diverse traditions--Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Sikh and Christian. This course introduces students to one of the most powerful avenues for transmission of religious knowledge in the traditions of South Asia--the aesthetic experience derived through a variety of forms. In addition to visual messages sent through architectural motifs and paintings, teaching of reigious doctrines through narratives in drama, dance, and musical performance is common across religious boundaries. The course will introduce theories of aesthetic experience and religious knowledge from the sub-continent and relate them to contemporary theories of performance. Students may register for either SAS 211 or REL 281 and credit will be granted accordingly.
Prerequisite: None
Distribution: Art, Music, Theatre, Film, Video or Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy.
SAS 251/REL 251 Religions in South Asia (Fall): Shukla-Bhatt
An examination of the religions of South Asia as expressed in sacred texts and arts, religious practices, and institutions from 2500 B.C.E. to the present. Concentration on the origins and development in Brahmanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and the interaction of the religious comuumnities in South Asian history. Students may register for either SAS 251 or REL 251 and credit will be granted accordingly.
Prerequisite: None.
Distribution: Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy.
SAS 303 South Asian Models of Religious Pluralism (Spring): Shukla-Bhatt
This seminar will explore in a historical manner the development of pluralistic discourses, ideologies, and interactions in South Asia. While remaining focused on South Asia, we will consider more generally the implications of this history for other religiously diverse societies. Readings will range from ancient texts, such as the Upanishads, Dhammapada, medieval writings of Sufi, Sikh and bhakti traditions, to historical documents about policies of Mogul emperor Akbar, and modern writings on pluralism, including Gandhi’s. We will also study the relationship of religious diversity to violence, and modern projects, by Diana Eck and others, to promote sustainable models of religious pluralism. Final projects will give students the opportunity to develop their own model for religious pluralism in a specific part of the world.
* SAS 250 Research or Individual Study
Open by permission of instructor.
* SAS 350 Research or Individual Study
(Juniors and seniors only)
Open by permission of instructor.
* SAS 360 Senior Research or Individual Study
* SAS 370 Senior Thesis
Open by permission of the program director.
Related Courses for Credit toward the Major: 2009-2010
Fall
ARTH 264 Painting in India (Cummings)
ARTH 347 The Buddah's Biography: Buddhist Narrative Art in South Asia (Klimburg-Salter)
ENG 277 Modern Indian Literature (Sabin)
SOC 309S Topics in Inequality: Critical Intersections: Race, Class, Gender, and Nation (Radhakrishman)
Spring
ARTH 297/397S Architecture in India in teh Post-Mughal Era: 1650-1950 (Cummings)
SOC 234 Gender and International Development (Radhakrishman)
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Other Related Courses
Anthroplogy: ANTH 203
Art History: ARTH 239, *ARTH 240, *ARTH 247
* HIST 272, HIST 275, HIST 276, HIST 382, HIST 383S
Peace and Justice Studies: *PEAC 104, PEAC 324S
Political Science: *POL2 202, *POL2 204, *POL2 307S, *POL2 309S, POL3 323, *POL3 332S, *POL3 351
Religion: *REL 108, *REL 253, *REL 260, *REL 261, *REL 262, *REL 263, REL 354, *REL 364, *REL 367
Sociology: *SOC 221, SOC 233
*****************************************Courses with an asterisk (*) also require the permission of the instructor if they are to be counted for South Asia Studies. To supplement Wellesley’s course offerings, students are encouraged to take courses at M.I.T., Olin, and Brandeis. Majors are also encouraged to spend at least one semester at an approved academic program in South Asia. Courses taken at other institutions for credit must be approved, in advance, by the student’s advisor and the program director.
For a full description of courses related to South Asia Studies, please refer to the course catalog.
In Varanasi, a young boy paddles his boat on the Ganges River, which winds 1,560 miles across northern India, from the Himalaya Mountains to the Indian Ocean. The land of Varanasi has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.