Return to Table of Contents

Go to Program of Study

Go to bottom of document</font>

Courses

200-201-202. Introduction to the Civilization of South Asia I, II, III (=Anthro 308-1,-2,-3; SocSci 230-231-232; SoAsia 202=PolSci 260). PQ: Must be taken in sequence. Students who register for the third quarter of the sequence as PolSci 260 do not have to meet the prerequisites. This course fulfills the Common Core requirement in civilizational studies. Using a variety of disciplinary approaches, this sequence seeks to familiarize students with some of the important ideas, texts, institutions, and historical experiences that have constituted South Asian civilization. Topics covered in the autumn quarter include a discussion of what is involved in the study of pre-modern history, and in the idea of a "civilization," the worldviews of early Vedic brahmanism, Buddhism, and a reformulated "Hinduism," the problem of "kingship and its discontents," and the spread of South Asian culture across Southeast Asia. The winter quarter examines elements of Hindu mythology, the role of the temple as ritual center and focus of political and economic exchange, Hindu devotionalism, South Asian Muslim identity, Muslim social and cultural institutions in South Asia, and Muslim-Hindu interactions in South Asia. The spring quarter focuses on Mughal state, society, and culture; British constructions of Indian "tradition"; the culture and politics of religious and caste identities; and issues affecting the lives of women and environment in South Asia. S. Collins, Autumn; N. Cutler, Winter; S. Rudolph, Spring.

212. Islamic Literature: Epic and Romance (=Arab/I 212). Classics of story literature from Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu including The Arabian Nights, The Shahnama, the tales of Dede Korkut and the adventures of Amir Hamza, the romance of Laila and Majnun, and perhaps a few more. All readings in English. C. M. Naim. Winter.

220-221-222. Introductory Bengali I, II, III. This course sequence fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. The basic grammar of Bengali is presented; students are expected to be able to read simple graded texts and to speak at the "low intermediate" level by the end of the spring quarter. C. Seely. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

223-224-225. Intermediate Bengali I, II, III. PQ: SoAsia 222 or equivalent. Selected texts from modern Bengali prose and poetry are read in class. Students are expected to be able to read, with the aid of a dictionary, modern Bengali literature and to speak at the "high intermediate" level by the end of the spring quarter. C. Seely. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

230-231-232. First-Year Hindi I, II, I. This course sequence fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. This course presents basic grammar of Hindi, the Nagari writing system, conversation practice, oral drill, written exercises, lab work, and simple reading. In the spring quarter, the Urdu writing system is introduced. M. Mishra. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

233-234-235. Second-Year Hindi I, II, III. PQ: SoAsia 232 or equivalent. The intermediate Hindi course presupposes a knowledge of the basic grammar of Hindi and requires a fair amount of reading and translating Hindi prose, along with discussion of advanced topics in Hindi grammar. Regular attention is given to conversation and composition. The class meets about five hours a week. M. Mishra. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

243-244. Intermediate Pali I, II. PQ: SoAsia 240-241-242 or consent of instructor. The intermediate Pali course reads Pali texts, chosen in accordance with students' interests. The texts read in the introductory course (which is not offered in 1996-97) are usually taken from a single, early stratum of Pali literature. The intermediate course takes examples of Pali from different periods and in different styles. S. Collins. Autumn, Winter.

250-251-252. Introductory Sanskrit I, II, III. This course sequence fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. The first half (about fifteen weeks) of the course sequence is spent mastering the reading and writing of the Devanagari script and studying the grammar of the classical Sanskrit language. The remainder of the course sequence is devoted to close analytical reading of simple Sanskrit texts, which are used to reinforce the grammatical study done in the first half of the course. The aim is to bring students to the point where they are comfortably able, with the help of a dictionary, to read simple, narrative Sanskrit. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

253-254-255. Intermediate Sanskrit I, II, III. PQ: SoAsia 252 or equivalent. The course begins with a rapid review and consolidation of grammar learned in the introductory course. Reading selections introduce major Sanskrit genres, including verse and prose narrative, lyric poetry, drama, and the intellectual discourse of religion, philosophy, and the sciences. Analysis of the language and style employed in commentatorial texts and practice in reading such texts is also emphasized. S. Pollock, Autumn; Staff, Winter, Spring.

256. Literature in Precolonial India. An introduction to some major literary traditions before European colonization. Readings in translation concentrate on Sanskrit texts but also address interactions with regional cultures such as Kannada, Tamil, and Gujarati. Central issues include problems on interpretation, aesthetic theories and notions of genre, politics and poetry, cosmopolitanism and vernacularism. S. Pollock. Spring.

260-261-262. Introductory Tamil I, II, III. This course sequence fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. The grammar of modern Tamil and a large amount of basic vocabulary are acquired through emphasis on both the reading and aural comprehension of graded texts (largely tales, myths, and fictional and historical anecdotes) that provide constant contextual reinforcement of the major aspects of grammar and vocabulary. Written, oral, and language lab exercises focus on ensuring accurate conceptual understanding and efficient functional control of these basics. The course also emphasizes development of basic conversational skills. N. Cutler, Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

263-264-265. Intermediate Tamil I, II, III. PQ: SoAsia 262 or equivalent. Students engage in the following activities that collectively are designed to promote development of reading, writing, listening, and speaking proficiency: (1) use texts such as folktales, religious narratives, short stories, and newspaper articles to develop efficient reading comprehension and to learn about conceptual areas of cultural importance; (2) work with audiotapes, films, and free conversation to develop listening and conversational skills; and (3) complete composition assignments. N. Cutler, Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

270-271-272. Introductory Urdu I, II, III. This course sequence fulfills the Common Core foreign language requirement. This three-quarter sequence presents the basic grammar and essential vocabulary of Urdu, a language spoken by thirty-five million people in South Asia and one of the official languages of Pakistan. The text used is C. M. Naim's Introductory Urdu and the emphasis is on the written language. C. M. Naim. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

273-274-275. Intermediate Urdu I, II, III. PQ: SoAsia 272 or equivalent. A continuation of SoAsia 270-271-272. C. M. Naim. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

282. Diasporas: Asian Migration in a Modern World (=Anthro 228, Hist 267/367). The United States is known as the land of immigrants. Yet today immigration policy is a controversial issue as established immigrant groups seek to limit who is entitled to citizenship and who is entitled to work. This lecture/discussion course seeks to explore the thorny problems of migration, citizenship and multiculturalism through the lens of Asians in the new face of America. The focus is on the formation of subcultures and subnationalities and on the discourses of freedom that connect India, South Africa, the Caribbean and the United States. Materials for this course focus both on the conditions of migration and its experience and include historical writing, novels, film, and the popular media. C. Breckenridge. Autumn.

284. Class, Ethnicity, and Gender in Modern South Asian History. This course concentrates on some key texts bearing on the topics mentioned in its title. D. Chakrabarty. Winter.

299. Informal Course. PQ: Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. This individual reading course with faculty may be used for topics not requiring use of a South Asian language, for independent study, and by nonconcentrators wishing to explore a South Asian topic. Staff. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

311. Global Issues in Health and Environment (=Anthro 305, EnvStd 255, Hist 292/392). C. Breckenridge. Spring.

College students are encouraged to register for 300-level courses in South Asian Languages and Civilizations. Consult the quarterly Time Schedules for additional course listings.

Go to top of document