The making of modern south asia

Topics covered in this course are available in the calendar below.

This course is designed to provide the students with a survey of Indian Civilization from 2500 BCE until the present. In addition to tracing the major political events, this course will also explore the economic, social, ecological, and cultural developments that accompanied and contributed to the development Indian history. Primary and secondary readings will help students to a better understanding of this unique civilization, as well as shape and improve their skills in analyzing and interpreting historical data. Class discussions are an integral part of this course where students are required to participate and examine the major thematic debates in Indian history with help of coherent and reasoned arguments. Students are expected to attend out-of class lectures and excursions noted on this syllabus. This introductory survey of the history of the South Asian region aims to provide the basis for future reading and research in this area.

Attendance in class is mandatory. Only legitimate excuses supported by evidence will be entertained.

You are required to read the assigned pages of the textbook before you come to class. You should also read the assigned primary and secondary readings before any scheduled class discussions. All readings are available at the library, on-line, or from the campus bookstore. The films and documentaries are kept at the MIT Film Office for further viewing. You should read these online and make notes and bring these notes to discussion during class discussions. Students are required to participate in such discussions. There are no wrong answers as long as you support your dialogue with evidence from your readings or general knowledge on the topic.

You are required to write two critical essays, based on any two of the books assigned for this course (please see readings for a complete list).

You are also required to fill out a 1-page response sheet after viewing a film shown in class and/or attending any outside lectures pertaining to South Asia.

For more detailed instructions for the essays and informal responses, please see assignments.

Students are required submit papers on time. Late submission will result in lowering of grades. This will be calculated in the following way:

There is a mid-term and a final examination for this course. Each of these examinations will consist of a map exercise, short identifications and a longer essay based on the broad topics in the study sheet.

Students should familiarize themselves with the Student Code of the University and its sections on academic dishonesty, especially on plagiarism. Plagiarism, which is the unacknowledged use of the ideas or works of another on a paper, will result in an F grade for the paper. Cheating on an examination will result in an F grade for the course and the notification of the Dean of the student's college.

Don't show me this again

This is one of over 2,200 courses on OCW. Find materials for this course in the pages linked along the left.

MIT OpenCourseWare is a free & open publication of material from thousands of MIT courses, covering the entire MIT curriculum.

No enrollment or registration. Freely browse and use OCW materials at your own pace. There's no signup, and no start or end dates.

Knowledge is your reward. Use OCW to guide your own life-long learning, or to teach others. We don't offer credit or certification for using OCW.

Made for sharing. Download files for later. Send to friends and colleagues. Modify, remix, and reuse (just remember to cite OCW as the source.)

Learn more at Get Started with MIT OpenCourseWare