Program in South Asian Studies
Director
Isabelle Clark-Decès
Executive Committee
Ben Conisbee Baer, Comparative Literature
Isabelle Clark-Decès, Anthropology
Atul Kohli, Woodrow Wilson School, Politics
Mekhala D. Natavar, Anthropology
Gyan Prakash, History
Bhavani Raman, History
Sits with Committee
Karen McGuinness, Woodrow Wilson School
Zia Mian, Woodrow Wilson School
The Program in South Asian Studies, under the auspices of the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, offers students the methodological and theoretical tools to study the political, economic, social, religious, literary, and cultural institutions of the region with particular focus on the modern history of India and Pakistan.
Requirements for Admission
Students concentrating in any department may enter the certificate program with permission from the director. A student normally enters the program at the end of the sophomore year, although entrance in the fall of the junior year is not precluded. Students in the Departments of Anthropology, History, Politics, Religion, Sociology, Comparative Literature, or the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs may find that their studies mesh particularly well with the requirements of the program. Concentrators in the Woodrow Wilson School will select South Asia as a field of concentration.
Hindi
The Program in South Asian Studies offers a four-term sequence of language instruction in Hindi. Completion of all four terms of the sequence will satisfy the University language requirement. The program emphasizes the skills of speaking, reading, and writing Hindi, as well as the cultural context of South Asia. The program encourages students to take advantage of intensive summer language programs and of the numerous opportunities to study or travel in South Asia, including a semester or year abroad. For more information, contact the Program in South Asian Studies.
Courses
HIN 101* Elementary Hindi I — Fall
An introduction to the skills of understanding, speaking,
reading, and writing Hindi. Classroom activities include comprehension, grammar
exercises, and conversation. Some attention to the cultural context of northern
India. Depending on interest, Urdu script will also be taught. Four classes. M. Natavar
HIN 102* Elementary Hindi II — Spring
The second semester of training in spoken and written
Hindi. The primary objective is to continue to increase understanding, speaking,
reading, and writing Hindi. Classroom activities include comprehension, grammar
exercises, role-plays, and conversation. Some attention to the cultural context
of northern India. Depending on interest, Urdu script will also be taught.
Prerequisite: 101. Four classes. M.
Natavar
HIN 105 Intermediate Hindi I — Fall
Begins the second year of training in spoken and written
Hindi. The primary objective is to continue to increase speaking, listening,
reading, and writing proficiency of the language. Classroom activities include
comprehension, grammar exercises, role-plays, songs, conversation, video
viewing, and production. Some attention to the cultural context of northern
India. Depending on interest, Urdu script will also be taught. Prerequisite:
102 or instructor’s permission. Four classes. M.
Natavar
HIN 107 Intermediate Hindi II — Spring
A continuation of the second year of intermediate Hindi
language training, this course focuses on improving skills in the following
areas: reading expository texts and extended narratives, writing descriptive
informative texts of three to four page lengths, verbal communication on a
range of topics, and expanding analytical understanding of the structure of the
Hindi language. Quite a bit of attention to the cultural context of South Asia
is given. Prerequisite: 105 or instructor’s permission. Five classes. M. Natavar
Program of Study
To obtain a certificate of proficiency, students must complete the normal requirements in their department of concentration as well as the following requirements of the program:
1. Four semesters of Hindi, or demonstrate proficiency in Hindi or another South Asian language through a program examination. See the program director to discuss using a language other than Hindi to fulfill the program’s language requirement.
2. At least one history course on South Asia in the Department of History.
3. At least two courses on South Asia in the Departments of Anthropology, Economics, Politics, or the Woodrow Wilson School.
4. At least one relevant course on South Asia in the Departments of Comparative Literature or Religion.
5. A senior thesis written in the student’s department of concentration with a significant South Asian component. If there is no possibility for South Asian content in the senior thesis, students must write a separate piece of independent work focusing on South Asia; please consult with the program director.
Courses in South Asian Studies
Undergraduate courses that may be used to satisfy program requirements are listed below. If other courses on South Asia are offered, these may be added to the list of approved courses with the permission of the program director.
Anthropology
302 Third World Literature and Culture
321 Ritual, Myth, and Worldview
337 Social Change in Contemporary India (also SAS 337)
Comparative Literature
*336 Indian Texts and Contexts: Ancient to Medieval
Hindi
101, 102 Elementary Hindi I, II
105, 107 Intermediate Hindi I, II
History
317 The Making of Modern India
417 Gandhi: The Making of the Mahatma
Music
257 Introduction to the Music of India
Politics
351 Politics in the Developing Countries
361 Political Economy of East Asia
393 Asia in World Affairs
Religion
*210 Religions of India
Woodrow Wilson School
*485 Special Topics in Public Affairs: Society and Politics in Pakistan
Certificate of Proficiency
Students who complete the requirements of the program with satisfactory standing receive a certificate of proficiency in South Asian studies upon graduation.
*Normally students electing a beginner’s course in any language
will receive credit only if two terms are completed.
*One-time-only course or topic