South Asia: Development & Social Change South Asia: Development & Social Change
INTL 442/542, Fall 2011
T, Th 12-1:20, 111 Lillis
Course Description
This course is an introduction to the vast social changes occurring in the South Asian subcontinent. In the first half of the course, our focus will be placed on India and Pakistan – two of the most populated countries in the world – though issues involving other countries will be addressed as appropriate. We begin with a brief overview of the subcontinent, looking at the major ‘Great Traditions’ as well as other internal and external social forces which have had a great impact on these societies, culminating in Independence from Britain. We then focus on post-independence paths of development in India and Pakistan, looking in particular at patterns of industrialization, economic planning, political crises, challenges, and institution-building.
Building on this, we turn our attention to major issues in the arena of development and social change including demands for literacy and women's rights (i.e., empowering the previously socially disempowered); the struggle to alleviate poverty and promote sustainability while ensuring livable cities; and political institution building challenges, particularly in light of religious/ethnic conflict and associated human rights concerns. This second section will focus a great deal on student participation.
