Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - IS 329 D300

Special Topics III (4)

South Asia Pol&Society

Class Number: 7539

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Mon, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Specific details of courses to be offered will be published prior to enrolment each term.

COURSE DETAILS:

South Asia is filled with a multitude of complexities. India, the major country in the region has emerged as an economic giant. This course will combine historical, economic, and political analysis to explore all of the countries of contemporary South Asia. Important themes will include: the legacies of colonialism, the region's varied forms of government and economy, human rights debates, and the impact of international actors on the political economy of South Asia. We will draw comparisons between the states within South Asia as well as extra-regional countries.

We will also consider the impediments to democratic development, and why some states in South Asia have not been able to overcome these impediments. Time will be devoted to discussing and debating the causes and consequences of the Asian economic miracle and the Asian economic crisis that followed. We will examine the future of democracy in the region and the role political institutions play in policy making. Key internal conflicts affecting the human security of millions of South Asians will be analyzed in their unique historical and cultural context.

There will be a four hour seminar each week.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students will be able to have a comprehensive understanding of the countries of South Asia. Second, students via their respective seminar presentations, will understand group dynamics, team-building, and also present critical understanding of the issues. These are key skills needed in the real world.

This is not a course on “current events.” If you expect that we will devote considerable time to what is in the newspaper, this is not the course for you. The course aims to enable you to understand the current events in the region based on a theme on nationalism and democratization. You are welcome to raise events that arise that are salient to the topics under study in a given week as well as events that are momentous for the region that do not particularly relate to the topics of the week. These will be rare and must indeed be momentous rather than quotidian events that characterize the region.

Grading

  • Term paper outline 5%
  • Term paper 30%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Midterm 20%
  • Final exam 30%

NOTES:

Students will be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin.com in order to receive credit for the assignments and for the course.

The School for International Studies strictly enforces the University's policies regarding plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty. Information about these policies can be found at: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/teaching.html.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Robert C. Oberst, Yogendra K. Malik, Charles Kennedy, Ashok Kapur, Mahendra Lawoti, Syedur Rahman, Ahrar Ahmad, Government and Politics in South Asia, Westview Press, 2016

Ayesha Jalal, The Struggle for Pakistan: A Muslim Homeland and Global Politics, Harvard Press, 2017

Additional weekly readings will be assigned.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS