Purpose

The B.A. Major in India Studies equips students to understand and become engaged with the cultures and civilizations that have developed on the Indian subcontinent from ancient times to the present. The program offers courses that investigate the culture, literature, arts, philosophy, socio-political and historical dimensions of India. The curriculum allows students to pursue interdisciplinary study and critical analysis of this complex and exciting region. The primary focus of the program is on present-day or modern India, but in order to understand modern India, it is important to have some basic knowledge about the great periods in the history of India that have shaped modern Indian social reality. This approach requires a sophisticated understanding of the country's highly developed arts, music, literature, drama, philosophy, religions, and social and political structures. In addition to providing an overall, comprehensive education about Indian civilizations, the program allows for more specialized work in (a) literary and performance studies, (b) philosophical and religious studies, and (c) social, political, and historical studies. The India Studies Program also offers beginning and intermediate-level courses in several Indian languages. All students in the program are encouraged to take language classes, as well as to consider study abroad in India.

Requirements

Students pursuing a major in India Studies must complete a second major (B.A.) in a department of the College of Arts and Sciences. (Students completing a simultaneous second degree program in the College or through another school should check with the advisor for details.)

1. Six credits through the fourth-semester level of a modern Indic language, Sanskrit, or an appropriate substitute which must be approved in advance by the Academic Program Committee of the India Studies Program. Students demonstrating proficiency to a level commensurate with the completion of four semesters of coursework may substitute six credit hours from other India Studies courses.
2. In addition to fulfillment of language requirements (specified above), completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours of India Studies courses, including the following:
   • The India Studies "core course"
   • At least one 3 credit course at the 300 level or above from the Literary and Performance Studies group
   • At least one 3 credit course at the 300 level or above from the Philosophical and Religious Studies group
   • At least one 3 credit course at the 300 level or above from the Social, Political, and Historical Studies group
   • One 3 credit course (or course equivalent) at any level
   • Three additional 3 credit courses at the 300 level or above, at least one of which must be at the 400 level.

See the India Studies website for a listing of courses in each group.

At the discretion of the Director, a student may receive credit for coursework taken under the auspices of a Study Abroad program. Students wishing to receive such credit should consult their academic advisor and the Director of India Studies. Other IU coursework that involves a significant amount of work related to India/South Asia, but without an India Studies designation, may also be applied to these requirements at the discretion of the Director. Students wishing to receive such credit should consult their academic advisor and the Director of India Studies.

Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.