HISA Courses

For the most updated list of courses offered and more information including course times, locations, and enrollments, please see SIS or Lou's List. Faculty information can be viewed in the Faculty Directory.

HISA 3003: Twentieth century South Asia

Nair

This course considers a few of the key debates that have animated twentieth century South Asia: on the nature of anti-colonial nationalism; the shape of a free India; the founding principles of the states of India and Pakistan; the independence of Bangladesh; and the legacy of colonialism on democracy, development and militancy in these countries. Structured chronologically, the course begins with a study of colonialism in early twentieth century India and ends by considering the challenges of deepening democratization, and unequal development. There is no standard textbook for the course. Chapters from books and journal articles will be made available at collab. Films will also be used. This course is reading intensive. 200 pages of reading will be the average per week. Prior coursework in South Asian History/ Studies is not a prerequisite, but will be an asset. Course requirements include participation in sections (20%); a book review (20%); a midterm exam (20%); and a final exam (40%).

HISA 4501: Seminar in South Asia – Free Speech and Blasphemy in South Asian History

Nair

A seminar course, major topics include debates on a free press and legislation to curb hate speech in colonial India, and the renewed vigor of laws restricting free speech in contemporary India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. We will read a range of sources: court judgments, selections from famous trials, memoirs, and works of fiction and non-fiction that were banned. Course requirements include active participation in discussions (30%); weekly one-page position papers (30%); one in-class presentation (10%) and one final essay of 20 pages (30%). This course fulfills the second writing and non-Western and historical perspective requirements.

 

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