South Asian Studies Concentration
Coordinator: Professor James F. Fisher
South Asia refers to the countries comprising the South Asian subcontinent: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldive Islands, and often, Tibet and Afghanistan. The concentration consists of supporting and core courses in economics, history, religion, sociology and anthropology, other departments when guest lecturers are present, and the study of language whenever feasible. The purpose of the concentration is to provide cross-cultural interdisciplinary understanding of a complex and ancient non-western civilization.
Requirements for the Concentration:
The concentration requires three core courses, three additional courses (drawn from core or supporting categories, and from at least two different departments), and a senior seminar. Language study (usually Marathi or Nepali or Sinhala) is recommended whenever possible.
The following majors will best prepare a student for a concentration in South Asian Studies: economics, history, political science, religion, and sociology and anthropology. Majors in other fields may petition for this concentration.
Core Courses:
HIST 160: History of Classical India
HIST 161: History of Modern India
RELG 150: Religions of South Asia
SOAN 254: Anthropology of South Asia (Not offered in 2002-2003.)
Supporting Courses:
ASST 112: Introduction to Contemporary India (Not offered in 2002-2003.)
ECON 240: Economics of Developing Countries
RELG 150: The Religions of South Asia
RELG 250: The Hindu Traditions (Not offered in 2002-2003.)
RELG 251: Theravada Buddhism (Not offered in 2002-2003.)
RELG 253: Tibetan Buddhism
RELG 273: Indian Philosophy
SOAN 312: Actors and Issues in Contemporary Third World "Development"
Courses from the ACM India Studies Program in Pune or the SIT program in Nepal or the Carleton-affiliated Sri Lanka Studies Program (ISLE) may also count toward satisfaction of these course requirements.
Senior Seminar: A designated interdisciplinary seminar.