Spring 2000

Professor Geraldine Forbes

SUNY-Oswego

TuTh 2:20-3:40 pm

e-mail: forbes@oswego.edu

This course is designed to introduce students to the rich and complex cultures and civilizations of India beginning with the ancient civilization of the Indus Valley. During the semester we will trace Indian history from ancient times to the present day with special attention to India's unique cultural developments: the religions of India (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Islam as they developed in India), the caste system, and the village community. India was attractive to invaders and traders and was ruled for significant periods by Muslim dynasties, coming from the north, and later, Europeans, coming from the sea. We will examine the impact of these outsiders as well as patterns of collaboration and resistance. In the latter part of the course, we will look at the nationalist movement in the twentieth century and the creation of two nations: India and Pakistan. The course will conclude with a review of the countries of the Indian subcontinent: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal today. In addition to learning about the history and cultures of the subcontinent, we will examine how historians construct history. This course has been designed to enhance skills in critical thinking, research and written communication.

Required:

1. Sugata Bose and Ayesha Jalal Modern South Asia: History, Culture, and Political Economy. (Routledge, 1998) [Mod SA]

2. Urvashi Butalia , The Other Side of Silence; Voices from the Partition of India (Penguin India, 1998) [Butalia]

3. Shudha Mazumdar, ed. By Geraldine Forbes, Memoirs of an Indian Woman (M.E.Sharpe, 1997) [Shudha]

4. HIS 387 Reader-spring. 2000 [His387R]

5. Website [WS]

1. Mid term examination

2. Final examination

3. Group project focused on partition

4. Term paper

1. Jan 25 Introduction to the course: Continuity and Change, Unity and Diversity

2. Jan 27 Harappan Culture: An Exploration

3. Feb 1 Aryan Expansion and the Vedas

4. Feb 3 Civilization of Aryan Culture

5. Feb 8 Heterodox Movements: Upanishads, Buddhism and Jainism

6. Feb 10 Imperial System of the Mauryans

7. Feb 15 Classical Hinduism & Traditional Indian Society

8. Feb 17 Classical Age of the Guptas

9. Feb 22 Islam and Muslim Expansion in India

10. Feb 24 Delhi Sultanate

11. Feb 29 Mughal Empire

12. Mar 2 The Civilization of the Mughals

13. Mar 7 Cultural Synthesis and the Bhakti Movement

14. Mar 9 Breakdown of Mughal Authority and Successor States

15. Mar 14 MID TERM EXAM

16. Mar 16 From Trade to Empire: the British in India

*Spring Recess Mar 20-24

17. Mar 28 British Intrusion into Indian Society

18. Mar 30 The Mutiny of 1857

19. Apr 4 High Noon of Colonialism

20. Apr 6 Indian Nationalism

1. Apr 11 Colonialism and Indian Women

22. Apr 13 Mahatma Gandhi and the Freedom Movement

23. Apr 18 WWII and Quit India movement

1. Apr 20 Partition

2. Apr 25 Independent India & Pakistan, 1947-1971

3. Apr 27 Post colonial South Asia, 1971-1997

4. May 2 Women in Contemporary India: an assessment

5. May 4 The subcontinent at the end of the 20th century: On the Way to War?

1. Mid term examination 100

2. Final examination 100

3. Two book critiques - you will write "letters" to the two authors, Shudha Mazumdar (Read: His387R: Nuclear Jitters, You've Got the Bomb, So Do I and Memoirs of an IndianWoman) and Urvashi Butalia (The Other Side of Silence) addressing the strengths and weakness of the books. In these "letters" you will tell the author what you learned from the book, what you thought was the most important theme addressed, what topics you wish had received more attention, and the most glaring weaknesses of the book.

Length:1000-1200words, double spaced, 12 pt, New York or Helvetica Font, 1" margins, black or blue ink.

References: MLA or APA. 2 x 75 =150

4. Paper: you are the expert . For this assignment you can work either individually, in pairs, or in groups to develop expertise in one topic that will be presented both as a written paper and orally to the class. The length will depend on both the topic and whether or not you work individually or in groups. Approximate Length: 3000-4000 wd, double spaced, 12 pt, New York or Helvetica Font, 1" margins, black or blue ink.

References: MLA or APA. 100

5. Participation, pop-quizzes, in-class work

I expect you to attend all classes and come to class with the readings done. However, I am aware of how many obligations you have - in other classes, at work, and to your families. If you find it difficult to do the readings for a class or complete an assignment, please talk with me about it.

There is a College Policy on cheating and plagiarism (see the student handbook). In the past I have talked with students who told me they did not know that copying word-for-word from a text was plagiarism. It is. Please make certain you understand what constitutes plagiarism. I consider plagiarism a serious problem and unfortunately, catch at lot of students engaged in it.

Copyright   2000 Project South Asia and Geraldine Forbes.  May be copied for educational purposes only.  Commercial use is prohibited without permission of Geraldine Forbes.