The Chart Online

Wells offers 'vision' of India
By Russ Hagerman

Staff Writer

Dharma, development and diversity are what describe India, a complex nation politically, religiously and technologically.

India's society parallels the United States, however, India is primarily an agrarian society. Higher education writings are in English, and there are high technological advances. The University of Hyderabad has been given the moniker of "Cyber-abad." The Microsoft Corporation gives graduating college students in India jobs because of advances in technology.

To learn more about India without traveling to the country itself, one need only to have signed up for the topic class, Contemporary India. Facilitated by Dr. N. Ree Wells, associate professor of sociology, the course involves an exploration of the major social institutions of India. These institutions include but are not limited to religion, family, economy, politics, education and health care.

"I would like to see the students taking this course to have vision, a better sense of a complex and dynamic country," Wells said.

Wells said she is learning along with the students.

"We are in this together," she said. "I am learning as well."

There are issues unique to India that will be explored in the course, such as the role of Hinduism in the hierarchical structuring of castes, gender and occupations in society.

Students do not need to be sociology majors to take a topic class in sociology. Along with sociology majors, there are also international studies, English and international business majors in the class. Barbra Lukunka, junior international studies major, is one such student in the class.

"I took the class because I am mainly interested in the conflict between India and Pakistan," Lukunka said. "I also find the culture interesting."

Robby Ball, senior sociology and secondary education major, concurs with Lukunka.

"I find the country of India interesting," he said. "I am interested in the classification of India's people."

Wells is enthusiastic about the class. She was one of six to attend a faculty seminar in India during spring 2000. She also participated in the Summer of India program in 2000.

"We were supposed to be in India for six weeks, but it was cut short due to the India and Pakistan conflict," she said.

The class is challenging, though, even for Wells. Literature about India at the college level is difficult to find. Heavily relying on campus resources is an important part of the course with internationalizing the curriculum at Southern, Wells said.

She has set up a list of faculty presentations throughout the semester. She will also bring "experiential elements" to the class.

The international mission has created opportunities for me," Wells said. "I can give something back."