Faculty of Arts & Science 2012-2013 Calendar

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South Asian Studies

The South Asian Studies program examines the history, culture, and politics of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Traditionally South Asia is presented as a living culture, a viable way of life for millions for over 3,000 years, and a source of inspiration to other parts of Asia for 2,000 years. Modern studies emphasize the history and development of South Asia’s political, cultural and social institutions, the nature of the economy and the significance of class and ideology in the modern dynamics of continuity and change.

South Asian Studies Programs

Consult program administrator: 416-946-8832, ai.asianstudies@utoronto.ca

Enrolment in this program requires the completion of 4.0 courses.

(4 full courses or their equivalent)

1. SAS114H1
2. CAS200Y1
3. SAS318H1 or CAS310H1
4. CAS320H1
5. One and a half FCE from the following:, SAS212Y1, SAS216H1, SAS318H1, SAS413H1, SAS414H1, ANT352Y1, CAS350H1, CAS360H1, CAS390H1, CAS420H1, CAS430H1, CAS440H1, CAS490H1, HIS282Y1, RLG205Y1, JPA410H1, JPA411H1

South Asian Studies Courses

An interdisciplinary introduction to South Asian Studies emphasizing inquiry and critical analysis, drawing attention to the specificities of individual nations as well as the factors (historical, political, economic and cultural) that define South Asia as a region. Some attention will be paid to the South Asian Diaspora.

Intensive introduction to phonology, grammar, syntax of the modern Hindi language; emphasis on basic writing and reading.

A critical overview of South Asia, considering historical and social factors that account for both distinctiveness and connections among nations and communities. Special attention to the major role played by postcolonial histories in establishing the separate trajectories of each nation while preserving the significance of the region as a whole.

This course analyzes the impact of colonialism in South Asia and the various ways in which tradition intersect with and reshape colonialism in postcolonial South Asia. The course will examine the role of religion, education, ethnicity, gender, and caste. Some attention will be paid to postcolonial and indigenous theory.

This course is an interactive, participatory seminar. It will provide an opportunity to complement theoretical understanding about Asia acquired in other courses through hands-on research and experiential learning. The course will enable students to link studying Asia and Canada to career trajectories in the field of development and research.

This upper-level seminar will introduce students to the interdisciplinary study of popular culture and mass-mediated cultural forms in Asia. Through readings about popular protest, festivals, cinema, print, television, and music this course provides methodological tools to interpret the politics of representation and the formation of alternative modernities in the Asian continent and among the diaspora. The course will furthermore familiarize students with a range of theoretical lenses for conceptualizing the different meanings of the public from a modern Asian perspective.