Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - HIST 243 D100

A Brief History of Modern India - from British Colony to Independent Republic (3)

Class Number: 5704

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A survey of South Asian history designed to equip those students completely unfamiliar with the region, with a foundation in the political, social and cultural contours of South Asia from 1757 to 1947. Students who have previously taken HIST 243 STT may not take HIST 243 for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Does Bollywood intrigue you, Gandhi confuse you?  And samosas uplift your very soul? Want to know the history of such wonders? 

This course provides a survey of the history of South Asia between the eighteenth and late twentieth centuries: a crucial period in shaping of the modern South Asian subcontinent. These three centuries were characterized by the crumbling of a once-magnificent Mughal empire, the entry of European trade and colonialism, the development of Indian nationalism and the eventual emergence of the independent states of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

We will explore the most significant events, themes and debates of the period such as the causes behind the rapid success of British imperialism, the nature of Indian nationalism and the politicization of religion. The course also introduces the student to important current debates in the historical scholarship of the region especially those of gender, ecology, caste, and the history of sexuality. The course combines a study of scholarship and popular culture in order to understand the ideologies, policies, and processes that shaped the colonial state and continue to mould the entire South Asian subcontinent.

No previous knowledge of South Asia is required to take this course.

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Primary source (document) analysis 20%
  • Primary source (material object) analysis 20%
  • Primary source (film) analysis 20%
  • Primary source (audio/journalism) analysis 20%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Ideologies of the Raj (Thomas Metcalfe)
  • Concise History of Modern India (Metcalfe and Metcalfe).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).