Courses

INST-I 501 Elementary Sanskrit I (4 cr.)

Introduction to Sanskrit, a classical language of ancient India. Basic grammatical structure and vocabulary in preparation for the reading of both secular and religious texts.

INST-I 502 Elementary Sanskrit II (4 cr.)

Continuing introduction to Sanskrit. Basic grammatical structure and vocabulary in preparation for the reading of both secular and religious texts. Students will read a short epic Sanskrit piece.

INST-I 561 Intermediate Sanskrit I (3 cr.)

INST-I 562 Intermediate Sanskrit II (3 cr.)

INST-I 506 Beginning Hindi I (4 cr.)

Introduction to the Hindi language through its writing system and basic grammar. Graded exercises and readings leading to mastery of grammatical structures and essential vocabulary. Development of reading and writing competence and simple conversations in contemporary Hindi. Classroom use of story books, tapes, and films in Hindi.

INST-I 507 Beginning Hindi II (4 cr.)

Continuation of the first semes­ter. Graded exercises and reading for mastery of grammatical structures and essential vocabulary. Composing short dialogues from the students’ own environment. Reading, writing, and conversational skills are sharpened.

INST-I 508 Second-Year Hindi I (3 cr.)

Focuses on reading such literature as mythology, folklore, and modern short stories and poetry, including several examples from Urdu literature. Students compose and perform their own dialogues based on the material read.

INST-I 509 Second-Year Hindi II (3 cr.)

Promotes rapid reading skills and building vocabulary. Study of grammar is based on Hindi reading materials and includes regular grammar drills. Students sharpen composition skills by retelling stories from the reading material orally and in writing.

Survey of the ancient and classical Sanskrit literatures of India in translation, presented in cultural context.

This course covers some of the earliest devotional literature from South India; the northern poems of the Krishna-devotional traditions; and some Indian Sufi materials. We explore the literary innovations of this material; the role of social class in the devotional traditions; and consider why seemingly transgressive material has become so widely accepted and loved.

A historical view of the officially sanctioned roles for women in several religious traditions in South Asia, and women's efforts to become agents and participants in the religious expressions of their own lives.

P:INST I501-I502 Elementary Sanskrit or consent of instructor. Arranged tutorial readings from selected Indian religious texts in the original Sanskrit representing a variety of styles, periods, and religious traditions; includes selections from Hindu scriptures, religious epics, commentaries, religious law, hymns, philosophical texts, and Buddhist literature. May be repeated once for credit when topics vary.

Advanced research seminar on selected topics in India Studies. Seminar may focus on specific texts, specific historical figures, basic themes, or issues in India Studies.

R: reading knowledge of Sanskrit and Hindi/Urdu.† Selected and substantive topics investigated† from ancient, medieval, and modern texts about the civilization of India.† May be repeated when topic varies for a maximum of six credit hours.

INST-L 500 Elementary Indian Languages I (3 cr.)

Various languages will be offered when available. Bengali and Gujarati are offered for Fall 2010. May be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment. Introduction to and brief history of language. Basic sound patterns and writing system with ideas about basic grammar. Ideas about simple sentence structure and basic grammar leading to reading and construction of short sentences. Learning essential vocabulary for everyday conversation. Practicing different expressions: apology, greeting etc. Classroom use of films, tapes, short conversation, stories, etc.

INST-L 550 Elementary Indian Languages II (3cr.)

P: L500 or equivalent proficiency in the same language. Various languages will be offered when available. Bengali and Gujarti are offered for Spring 2011. May be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment. This course will be an advanced level of the first semester. There will be more exercises on basic grammar and sentence structures. Emphasis will be on learning new words, composing short dialogues and using them in everyday conversation by developing basic reading skills and understanding main ideas from the texts. Increased writing skills will be expected with continuous drills in grammatical structures. Students will also be expected to write short personal letters, different expressions, descriptions etc. Classroom use of story telling on personal experience, music etc. will be encouraged.

INST-L 560 Intermediate Indian Languages I (3 cr.)

P: L 550 or equivalent proficiency in the same language. Various languages will be offered when available. Bengali and Gujarati are offered for Fall 2010. May be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment. This is a continuation of the first year Bengali course. The main focus of this course will be given on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Special emphasis will be given to Communicative approach to language learning.

INST-L 570 Intermediate Indian Languages II (3 cr.)

P: L 560 or equivalent proficiency in the same language. Various languages will be offered when available. Bengali and Gujarati are offered for Spring 2011. May be retaken for credit, but only in a different language from that of the first enrollment. This is a continuation of the first semester Bengali course. The main focus of this course will be given on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Special emphasis will be given to Communicative approach to language learning.

INST-U 506 Beginning Urdu I (3 cr.)

Introduction to the Urdu language and basic grammar. Graded exercises and readings leading to mastery of grammatical structures and essential vocabulary. Simple conversations based on personal information, courtesy expressions, and greetings in contemporary Urdu. Classroom use of stories, tapes, films and songs.

INST-U 507 Beginning Urdu II (3 cr.)

P: U506 or equivalent proficiency. Continuation of the first semester. The writing system of Urdu and development of reading and writing. Graded exercises and reading for mastery of grammatical structures and essential vocabulary. Composing short dialogues on everyday survival topics.

INST-U 508 Second-Year Urdu I (2 cr.)

P: U507 or equivalent proficiency. Urdu short stories, essays, poetry (gazals), dramas, newspapers and magazine articles, etc. will be utilized for reading. Initiate basic communicative tasks related to daily activities and various situations.

INST-U 509 Second-Year Urdu II (2 cr.)

P: U508 or equivalent proficiency. Promotes rapid reading skills and vocabulary building. Study of grammar is based on Urdu reading material and includes regular grammar drills. Students sharpen composition skills by retelling stories from the reading material orally and in writing. Increase speaking skill to initiate, sustain and close a general conversation on a range of topics.

GEOG-G 563 Environmental Politics of South Asia (3 cr.)

This course is designed for research-oriented undergraduates and graduate students in the social/environmental sciences and humanities. We will have seminar-based engagements with advanced theoretical texts from political ecology, political economy, environmental history, and South Asian political thought (including Subaltern Studies). Historical and contemporary case studies of political conflict around land (urban and rural), water, and forests in South Asia will ground our exploration of theoretical concepts. Students with interests in comparative politics, historiography, the South Asia region, development, or environmental and sustainability issues will find the course useful.

POLS-Y 657 Comparative Politics (Political Science) Topic: Ethnicity, Politics and Violence in South Asia (3 cr.)

Every conceivable form of ethnic conflict has wracked the states of South Asia. They stem from colonial legacies, from the breakdown of political institutions and from social tensions concomitant with dramatic economic changes. This course will survey a number of competing theoretical explanations for ethno-religious conflict and violence. There are two components to the course. It will initially focus on a substantial corpus of literature from the fields of comparative politics and international relations on ethnicity and political violence. It will then turn to an application of this literature to the South Asian context. All students will be expected to write a substantial term paper on a particular case and also present the findings in a brief class presentation. The course does NOT assume any prior knowledge of South Asian politics.

REL-R 547 Meditation Traditions of India (3 cr.)

Survey and analysis of the practice of meditation in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions of India. Focus on the philosophical and structural basis of meditation and the relation of meditation to the monastic traditions of India. The role of the holy person and importance of the guru-student relationship.

REL-R R551 Religions of South Asia (3 cr.)

Study of the major religious traditions of India: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

REL-R 650 The Hindu Tradition (4 cr.)

Selected topics in Hindu religious history: sects, institutions, texts, doctrines, periods. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

REL-R 651 South Asian Buddhism (4 cr.)

Selected topics in South and Southeast Asian Buddhism from the earliest to the modern period. May be repeated for credit when topics vary.

ANTH-E 600 Seminar in Cultural and Social Anthropology (3 cr.)

Select topics. India lost and found: diasporic South Asian feminist films and filmmakers