ANTH 399/ANTH599/SAST200
Popular Religion in India
Gilles Tarabout
MW 9.00-10.50 (time revised 9/15)
The aim of this course is to introduce students to an anthropological approach of religion and society in contemporary India. While its main focus will be on Hinduism, it will also take into account Muslim and Christian communities. The approach will rely both on extant literature and fieldwork experience in the North and the South of India. The course will include extended readings and the regular viewing of audiovisual materials.
ANTH 325/525
Society and Politics in Modern India
Kalyanakrishnan Sivaramakrishnan
M 2.30-4.20
Examination of Indian society and politics through the analytical lens of paired concepts such as nation/state, faith/secularism, capital/labor, citizen/subject, and public/culture. Focus on understanding the major sociopolitical processes of change in the twentieth century. Discussion of key political events and related social transformations: the formation of independent India, caste and democracy, religion and the public sphere, and the social aspects of economic liberalization.
CPLT 727/ ENGL 935/WGSS 714
Postcolonialism & Discontents
Sara Suleri Goodyear
M 1.30-3.20 Contemporary fiction from the United States, South Asia, South Africa, China, Britain, and the Middle East that explores the changing relationships between literature and globalization. Works by Aleksandar Hemon, J. M. Coetzee, Salman Rushdie, Chu Tien-wen, Ruth Ozeki, Amitav Ghosh, Amitava Kumar, Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, Julian Barnes, Orhan Pamuk, and Gish Jen. For seniors who intend to fulfill the senior requirement for the English major by enrolling in a senior seminar. Open to interested juniors and seniors outside the major when space is available.
CSBR 360
Music of India
Samir Chatterjee
W 7.00-9.00p
A comprehensive study of the north and south Indian musical traditions from ancient to modern times comprising of classical and non-classical forms.
ECON 478
Economic Development of India and South Asia
TN Srinivasan
W 2.30-4.20
Colonial antecedents of low levels of economic and social development in India and, more broadly, in other South Asian countries. Failings and achievements of the state-directed and inward-oriented development strategy of the first four decades after independence from colonial rule. Developments since India and the region initiated systemic economic reforms and reintegrated their economies with the world economy, allowing market forces to play a large role in economic decisions. Comparison of the performance of India and China since 1980.
ENGL 328 /LITR 270/ER&M 310
Fiction without Borders
S. Shameem Black
MW 1.30-2.20 1 HTBA
Contemporary fiction from the United States, South Asia, South Africa, China, Britain, and the Middle East that explores the changing relationships between literature and globalization. Works by Aleksandar Hemon, J. M. Coetzee, Salman Rushdie, Chu Tien-wen, Ruth Ozeki, Amitav Ghosh, Amitava Kumar, Theresa Hak Kyung Cha, Julian Barnes, Orhan Pamuk, and Gish Jen. Advanced courses are open to students normally after two terms of English or the equivalent, or with the permission of the instructor. Starred courses may be used to fulfill the two-seminar requirement for English majors.
ENGL 330
Religion and Violence
Sara Suleri Goodyear
Th 1.30-3.20
A study of works dealing with twentieth-century modernity, the idiom of nationalism, and the concomitant growth of violence attached to religion. Selected works by writers from Ireland, India, the Middle East, and Africa. Advanced courses are open to students normally after two terms of English or the equivalent, or with the permission of the instructor. Starred courses may be used to fulfill the two-seminar requirement for English majors.
ENGL 343/ AFST 343/LITR 269
Introduction to Postcolonial Literatures
El Mokhtar Ghambou
Th 3:30-5.20
Introduction to the major thematic concerns and narrative preoccupations of postcolonial literature from Africa, South Asia, and the Caribbean. Foccus on language, nationalism, gender, and migrancy. Authors include Salih, Dangarembwa, Rusdic, Naipual, Kincaid, Said, and Bhabha.
FILM 316/ SASTJ/330
The Cinemas of India
Ashish Chadha
M 2.30-4.30
W 7.00-10.00p
The seminar investigates the long and diverse history of Indian film in the twentieth century. It will consider competing and intersecting histories of popular, avant-garde, new wave, political and regional, as well as diasporic Indian cinemas. It will specifically explore films by Satyajit Ray, ritwik ghatak, Mrinal Sen along with popular films in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali.
HNDI 110 /HNDI 510
Elementary Hindi I
Section 01: (Seema Khurana)
Section 02: (Katherine Good)
T W TH 1.00-2.15
M HTBA
An in-depth introduction to modern Hindi, including the Devanagari script. A combination of graded texts, written assignments, audiovisual material, and computer-based exercises provides cultural insights and increases proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Hindi. Emphasis on spontaneous self-expression in the language. No prior background in Hindi assumed. Credit only on completion of HNDI 120b.
HNDI 130 /HNDI 530
Intermediate Hindi I
Section 01: Seema Khurana; Katherine Good
T W TH 2:30 � 3:45 M HTBA
Section 02: Katherine Good; Seema Khurana
T W TH 11:30 � 12:45 M HTBA
The first half of a two-term sequence designed to develop proficiency in the four language skill areas. Extensive use of cultural documents including feature films, radio broadcasts, and literary and nonliterary texts to increase proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Hindi. Focus on cultural nuances and Hindi literary traditions. Emphasis on spontaneous self-expression in the language. After HNDI 120b or equivalent.
HNDI 132/532
Accelerated Hindi
Katherine Good; Seema Khurana
TTH 2.30-3.45 1 HTBA
This is a fast paced course for heritage speakers who have prior exposure to Hindi, that is, learners who are able to understand basic conversational Hindi and may be able to express themselves in survival situations, but have minimal or no literacy skills. Instructor�s permission is required.
HNDI 150/HNDI 550
Advanced Hindi
Seema Khurana
TTh 4.00-5.15 1 HTBA
An advanced language course aimed at enabling students to engage in fluent discourse in Hindi and to achieve a comprehensive knowledge of formal grammar. Introduction to a variety of styles and levels of discourse and usage. Emphasis on the written language, with readings on general topics from newspapers, books, and magazines. Prerequisite: HNDI 140b or permission of instructor.
HNDI 198/HNDI 598
Advanced Tutorial
Seema Khurana
W 4:00-5:00
For students with advanced Hindi language skills who wish to engage in concentrated reading and research on material not otherwise offered by the department. The work must be supervised by an adviser and must terminate in a term paper or its equivalent. Permission to enroll requires submission of a detailed project proposal and its approval by the language studies coordinator. Prerequisite: HNDI 150a or permission of instructor.
HUMS 385 /LITR 150/CPLT 543/LING 111
Sanskrit Classics in Translation
Stanley Insler
T 9.25-11.15
The chief genres of Sanskrit secular literature set against the background of the cultural history of ancient India. Various literary styles compared with those of other world literary traditions.
HIST 310
History of Modern South Asia
Mridu Rai
TTh 11.35-12.50
Survey of the Indian subcontinent�s history from colonial rule, through nationalist resistance, to postcolonial history. Topics include the establishment of British dominion; colonial transformation of Indian politics, society, economy, and culture; nationalism before and after Gandhi; the partition of India; and recent developments in South Asia.
HIST 390J /INTS 433
Postcolonial South Asia 1947-Present
Mridu Rai
W 3.30-5.20
Examination of the modern nation-states of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh in the aftermath of British decolonization. Topics include the imprint of colonialism, democracy and authoritarianism; constructing or contesting nations; regional, linguistic, and caste conflict; gender and politics; political economy of development; war and peace.
INTS 421
The Evolution of Development Objectives: Theory and Policy
Gustav Ranis
T 2.30-4.20
The development process analyzed from an evolutionary perspective, both in terms of changing objectives and policy options within developing countries and with respect to the rest of the world in an increasingly globalized environment. Senior seminars are limited to senior International Studies majors.
LING 115/ 515
Elementary Sanskrit
Ashwini Deo
MWF 9.25-10.15
Careful study of Sanskrit grammar both in its historical development and as the synchronic system attested in classical Sanskrit. Comparisons with other Indo-European languages. Close reading of later Sanskrit texts.
SAST 130a
Intermediate Sanskrit
David Mellins
M 1:30-3:20
An intensive reading course in Sanskrit for students who have some knowledge of the language. Selections from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
LING 111/LITR 150/CPLT 543/HUMS 385
Sanskrit Classics in Translation
Stanley Insler
T 9.25-11.15
The chief genres of Sanskrit secular literature set against the background of the cultural history of ancient India. Various literary styles compared with those of other world literary traditions.
LITR 275 /ENGL 383/THST 348
The Common Wealth of Drama
Murray Biggs
MW 4.00-5.15
Study of plays in English from or about former British colonies, both before and after independence, including Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, the West Indies, and the Indian subcontinent.
PLSC 411
Politics and the Postcolonial State in South Asia
Karuna Mantena
TTh 2.30-3.45
Introduction to politics and state formation in postcolonial South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal). Questions include the legacy of partition and colonial experience in shaping state formation; why states in the region have been prone to democracy and/or authoritarianism; sources of political instability in the region (e.g., secession, ethnolinguistic or religious conflict, economic inequality, agrarian unrest).
PLSC 600/ PLSC 288/HUMS 373/EP&E 338
Postcolonial Political Thought
Karuna Mantena
T 7-8:50p
Study of the writings of Mahatma Gandhi and Frantz Fanon, with some attention to more recent postcolonial theory. Consideration of how Gandhi and Fanon conceived of politics in the aftermath of colonialism; examination of their critical engagement with central questions of political theory, such as universality and freedom, revolution and history, progress, and emancipation. The relationship of European politics and ideas to the aspirations for and experience of freedom in the non-Western world.
RLST 009
Siva and Mahakala
Phyllis Granoff
TTh 1.00-2.15
Introduction to the myth, ritual, art, and philosophy of the Hindu god Siva and the Tantric Buddhist deity Mahakala. The temples, paintings, and sculpture dedicated to these gods. Shared elements of iconography and belief and their relation to ritual practices. Readings in translation. Enrollment limited to freshmen. Preregistration required; see under Freshman Seminar Program.
RLST 182
Death, Dreams, and Visions in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism
Jacob Dalton
W 2.30-4.20
Examination of how Tibetan Buddhists have turned the act of dying toward the realization of basic philosophical concepts of Buddhism. The transitional state between birth and death as an opportunity for transformation; harnessing the dream state to enact transformation; preparation for the crucial moment of death through tantric meditation practices, and ho funerary rituals work to assist the dead to this end; the effect of Western fascination with the Tibetan Book of the Dead on interpretations of the text.
RLST 186/EALL 205
Mandalas and Mantras
Koichi Shinohara
M 1.30-3.20
A study of the Buddhist tradition characterized by the use of magical spells, cosmic diagrams, and visualization of deities. Topics include stories of esoteric deities, the evolution of distinctive rituals, art, and the traditions place in society.
RLST 575
Esoteric/Tantric BuddhistTexts
Koichi Shinohara Jacob Dalton
T 1.30-3.20
Examination of how Tibetan Buddhists have turned the act of dying toward the realization of basic philosophical concepts of Buddhism. The transitional state between birth and death as an opportunity for transformation; harnessing the dream state to enact transformation; preparation for the crucial moment of death through tantric meditation practices, and how funerary rituals work to assist the dead to this end; the effect of Western fascination with the Tibetan Book of the Dead on interpretations of the text.
RLST 577
Jain Canonical Texts
Phyllis Granoff
W 1.30-3.20
This is an advanced course in Sanskrit/Prakrit. Students read selections from medieval Jain prose and poetry.
RLST 578/ANTH 530
Dealing with Misfortune in Contemporary Hinduism
Gilles Tarabout
T 9:30 � 11.20
The course will document and analyze interrelated traditions and the constant circulation of ideas, images and practices between them. It will address the question of how people decide about the proper course to follow and will examine the various processes through which the cause of misfortune becomes known (divination, divine inspiration, and, foremost, astrology) and the various models of ritual action that are open for choice. While focusing on human afflictions and religious empowerment, the course will also consider afflictions affecting the gods in their temple; such cases make particularly vivid the relationships existing between purity, ritual precision, social surroundings, the god�s �(un)happiness�, and the esoteric techniques required for restoring lost power. Discussion will rely on detailed ethnographies of rituals in South India (Kerala) and North India (Himachal Pradesh), on various visual materials, and on a critical assessment of readings, mostly on Hinduism, but we will also have some readings on comparative and methodological issues.
SAST 320/ HIST 391
Religion, Gender & Caste in India
Dr. Charu Gupta
T 2.30-4.30
This course is on religious, gender and caste identities and their intersections in modern, colonial India. It is a social and cultural history of the region. Topics include religious and social reforms, popular culture, nationalism, religious violence, women�s education, sexuality, census debates, and caste assertions.
SAST 340/ PLSC 374
Violence in Modern South Asia
Shreeyash Palshikar
M W 11:35-12:50
From the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan to communal riots in India, violence plays an important role in modern South Asian politics. This course considers the history of political violence in South Asia beginning with an overview of violence n the colonial period. It then considers non-violence and violence during the nationalist movement and the violence that accompanied the formation of India and Pakistan in 1947. The course concludes by focusing on violence in contemporary India including recent riots in Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra and Gujarat. In this course, students will gain a more nuanced understanding of the roles of violence in contemporary South Asian politics.
SAST 491
Senior Essay
Mridu Rai
1 HTBA
A yearlong research project completed under faculty supervision and resulting in a substantial paper.
TAML 110 /TAML 510
Introductory Tamil I
Elayaperumal Annamalai
M-F 9.25-10.15
An in-depth introduction to modern Tamil, focusing on comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills as well as on cultural understanding. Course work includes graded texts, written assignments, audiovisual material, and computer-based exercises. No prior background in Tamil assumed. Credit only on completion of TAML 120b.
TAML 130/TAML 530
Intermediate Tamil I
Elayaperumal Annamalai
M-F 10.30-11.20
The first half of a two-term sequence designed to develop proficiency in comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing through the use of visual media, newspapers and magazines, modern fiction and poetry, and public communications such as pamphlets, advertisements, and government announcements. Prerequisite: TAML 120b or equivalent.
TAML 198
Advanced Tutorial
Elayaperumal Annamalai
T 2.30-4.20
For students with advanced Tamil language skills who wish to engage in concentrated reading and research on material not otherwise included in the curriculum. The work is supervised by the instructor and culminates in a term paper or its equivalent. Permission to enroll requires submission of a detailed proposal and its approval by the instructor and the director of undergraduate studies.
TAML 598
Advanced Tutorial
Elayaperumal Annamalai
F 2.30-4.20
For students with Advanced Tamil language skills who wish to engage in concentrated reading and research on material not otherwise included in the courses offered by the department. The work is supervised by the instructor and concludes with a term paper or its equivalent. Prerequisites: submission of a detailed proposal of study and its approval by the instructor and DUS.
WGSS 327/MMES 311
Constructing the Self: From Autobiography to Facebook
Geetanjali Chanda
T 1.30-3.20
Autobiography in its evolving form as literary genre, historical archive, and individual and community narrative in a changing geographical context. Women’s life stories from Afghanistan, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Iran, Egypt, Jordan, and Vietnam illustrate the dialectic relationship between the global and the local. What the reading and writing of autobiographies tells us about oneself and one’s place in society; how it can be considered a horizontal community formation.
WGSS 371/AMST 322
Gender, Family and Cultural Identity in Asia and the United States: A Dialogue
Geetanjali Chanda
MW 1.00-2.15
A cross-cultural dialogue focusing on family, gender, and identity. An exploration of how specific Asian countries and people approach issues of religion, dress, education, and food as identity markers; U.S. perceptions and reactions to similar issues.