I310 Introduction to India: History, Politics, Administration, Economics, Religion, Media, Art and Literature (3 cr.) A&H, CSA
This course, team taught by the faculty of India Studies Program, is geared towards those majoring in India Studies and those who have interest in India. The objectives of this course are to familiarize the students with the art, culture, religion, history, economics, politics, media and contemporary issues of India. After an analysis of the modern history of India, especially the British period and the independence movement, the course will present the current political issues ranging from nationalism, ethnicity, and internal conflicts to international relations. Thereafter, the basic administrative structure, constitution and issues of governance will be covered. The present economic policies, business opportunities and the growth of IT industry in particular will form another important segment of this course. Religions of India and their impact upon society and culture will be another significant part of the course that will discuss related issues of environment and people's movements. The course will also examine the growth of print and electronic media and its role in shaping public opinion in the country. The diverse cultures will be presented from the themes of visual and folk arts, dance-drama and theater, devotional and modern literature. The evaluation will be done on the basis of a series of papers on contemporary issues pertaining to the different topics covered in the course.