BA South Asian Studies and… (4 years)

Learn a language as part of this programme

Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language which sets SOAS apart from other universities.

• Bengali overseen by Mr Naresh Sharma
• Hindi overseen by Mr Naresh Sharma
• Nepali overseen by Dr Stefanie Lotter
• Sanskrit overseen by Dr Lidia Wojtczak
• Urdu overseen by Mr Naresh Sharma

Students take the equivalent of 120 credits each year, with at least 150 credits of completed modules in the first subject and 120 credits in the second subject. The third Year Abroad counts as 120 credits.

The information for BA, BSc, or LLB programmes refer to data taken from the single subject degrees offered at SOAS; however, due to the unique nature of our programmes many subjects have a separate set of data when they are studied alongside another discipline. In order to get a full picture of their chosen subject(s) applicants are advised to look at both sets of information where these occur.

• South Asian Culture

Students choose a South Asian Language pathway (Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Sanskrit or Urdu). In Year 1 this is usually a level 1 module unless the student has prior language knowledge.

Students take 60 credits in their other subject.

Students choose a continuation of the South Asian language pathway chosen in Year 1 PLUS

Students take one of the following modules depending on their chosen language pathway.

• Readings in Contemporary Hindi
• Selected Texts from the Sanskrit Epic

Depending on the requirements of the other subject, students take 60 credits in their other subject OR 30 credits in the other subject and a further 30 credits from List A or C.

Students spend their 3rd Year abroad. See the Teaching & Learning tab for more details.

Students choose an advanced level of the South Asian language pathway chosen in Year 1.

Students can do an Independent Study Project (below) OR a further language module from List A at an intermediate or advanced level OR a module from List C (choice may be restricted depending on the chosen language pathway).

• Independent Study Project in South Asian Studies

Students take 60 credits in their other subject.

The list below indicates the pathway along which students can progress as they do their South Asian language modules. Students may not take more than one language module at elementary level in any given year. Passing of the intermediate level module (or its equivalent) in Bengali OR Hindi OR Nepali OR Sanskrit OR Urdu is a pre-requisite for admission to the Year Abroad.

• Bengali Language 1
• Nepali Language I
• Sanskrit Language 1
• Urdu Language 1
• Introduction to Prakrit
• Elementary Written Persian

• Bengali Language 2
• Hindi Language 2
• Nepali Language 2
• Sanskrit Language 2
• Urdu Language 2
• Urdu Literacy
• Readings in Prakrit

• Hindi Language 3
• Hindi Language 4
• Literature & Colonialism in North India
• Narratives of Mobility in Contemporary Hindi Literature
• Nepali Language 3
• Sanskrit Texts on Yoga
• Sanskrit Poetry and Aesthetics
• Selected Texts from the Sanskrit Epic
• Directed Readings in a South Asian Topic

• R110 Introduction to Buddhism
• R120 Introduction to Hinduism
• Introduction to Jainism
• H140 Introduction to the History of South Asia
• Themes in the Art and Archaeology of South and Southeast Asia

Some modules require successful attendance of a relevant introductory module; students are advised to check the relevant module descriptions for prerequisites and consult the relevant module convenor before selecting modules.

• Queer Cinema in Asia

• Cinema and Society in South Asia: History and Social Context
• Cinema and Society in South Asia: Key Issues
• Public Culture in Contemporary Nepal
• South Asian Literature in English
• South Asian Lives
• Extended Essay in South Asian Studies

• Law and Society in South Asia
• Law, Multiculturalism and Rights

• Government and politics of South Asia

• H234 Culture and Identity in Modern South Asia 1800-2000
• H335 Gandhi and Gandhism
• H437 Histories of Partition: India and Pakistan 1947 (II)
• H434 Religion, State And Society In Mughal North India I

• Traditional Art and Modern South Asia
• Hindu Art in Medieval India

• Classical singing in India: continuity and change
• Music, Religion and Society in South Asia

• Non-Violence in Jain Literature, Philosophy and Law

• Economic development of South Asia

• BA SAS (4 Year) Bengali pathway (pdf; 53kb)
• BA SAS (4 Year) Hindi pathway (pdf; 52kb)
• BA SAS (4 Year) Nepali pathway (pdf; 53kb)
• BA SAS (4 Year) Sanskrit pathway (pdf; 53kb)
• BA SAS (4 Year) Urdu pathway (pdf; 53kb)
• BA South Asian Studies and… (4 years)- Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 57kb)

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules