POLS 281-01: Politics of South Asia
Class: TR 3:05-4:30 PM
Room: Napier 102
Office: 110 Stern Hall
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to the major contemporary political issues and trends in the region of South Asia (i.e. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). The first half of the course examines topics of concern in the largest South Asian country, India. The second half of the course is organized thematically to address issues of nuclear and conventional security; state failure and civil war; terrorism; poverty and development; trade and investment; human security and gender discrimination; regional integration; and environmental concerns.
Course Format:
The course is centered on a critical discussion of seven books and supplemented by a series of journal articles. Students are expected to come prepared to discuss the readings. Grades will be based on a take-home mid-term essay (35%), and a final in-class exam (45%). Active and thoughtful class participation will comprise the remaining portion (20%) of the grade. Students will be asked to sign-up and lead critical discussions (no summaries) of the assigned text each week.
Texts:
The following texts are required for the course. A copy of each book will also be ordered and placed on reserve in the library. In order to facilitate discussion, please bring a copy of the text (or a photocopy of the relevant chapters) to each class session.
Required:
- Paul R. Brass (1997) Theft of an Idol, Princeton.
- Partha Chatterjee (1993) Nationalist Thought and the Colonial World: A Derivative Discourse, Minnesota.
- Leela Fernandez (2006) India’s New Middle Class: Democratic Politics in an Era of Economic Reform, Minnesota.
- Sumit Ganguly (2002) Conflict Unending: India-Pakistan Tensions since 1947, Columbia.
- Edward Luce (2007) In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India, Anchor. [1st edition]
- Ramesh Thakur and Oddny Wiggen (2004) South Asia in the World: Problem-Solving Perspectives on Security, Sustainable Development, and Good Governance, United Nations.
- Ashutosh Varshney (2003) Ethnic Conflict and Civic Life: Hindus and Muslims in India, Yale.
Links to articles will be provided on the course website.
Films:
There will be a series of films screened during the semester related to themes that we cover in the course. Students are strongly encouraged but not required to come to the film screenings. Students who attend the screenings have the option to answer an alternate set of questions on the midterm and final exam. Students will receive extra credit for each film they attend if they write a one page reaction paper within a week of the screening.
Office Hours:
My official office hours are on Wednesdays from 3-5 pm. However, students should feel free to drop by my office anytime between 9-5 Tuesday - Friday. If I am away from my office, feel free to call me on my mobile phone to set up a convenient time and place on campus to meet. You are welcome to call me on the cell phone anytime between 9am to 9pm. I also check my e-mail frequently, so feel free to drop a note if you prefer.
Disability Statement:
A Note about the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL): Hobart and William Smith Colleges encourages students to seek the academic collaboration and resources that will enable them to demonstrate their best work. Students who would like to enhance their study skills, writing skills, or have other academic inquiries should contact the CTL. You may visit the CTL web site to learn more about the services and programs that are available.
http://www.hws.edu/academics/ctl/index.aspx
If you are a student with a disability for which you need or may need accommodations, you should self-identify and register for disability related services with the Coordinator of Disability Services at the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). You will then be required to provide for review documentation of your disability to that office. Disability related accommodations and services generally will not be provided until the registration and documentation process is complete. The guidelines for documenting disabilities can be found at the following website: http://www.hws.edu/disabilities
If you have a question about this process or Disability services at HWS, please contact David Silver, Coordinator of Disability Services,at silver@hws.edu or x3351.