South Asia: Development & Social Change 

 Dr. Anita M. Weiss

                         INTL 442/542, Spring 2008

                             T, Th 10-11:50, 246 Gerlinger  

                                       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 attempts to alleviate poverty and promote equity and sustainable development and resultant urban challenges; the rise of wome n and demands for women’s rights; the struggle to create viable political institutions given prevailing conditions of illiteracy and ethnic diversity; and convulsive religious and ethnic disputes. This second section will focus a great deal on student participation.