Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - HIST 243 D100

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

Class Number: 4865

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: 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:

This course is intended to be a basic survey of South Asian history designed to equip undergraduates with a foundation in the political, social and cultural history of South Asia from 1757 to 1947. This course is inspired by the popular Indian Administrative Services programme for Indian History (one of the most respected civil services in the world) which successfully transforms subject-area novices into well-rounded scholars through the study of a broad, generalist curriculum. The intended educational goals of this fast-paced course are simple – we aim to provide first-time students with a basic grasp of the history of one of the most complex and exciting parts of the world. We expect to move from a position of total unfamiliarity to a level of solid scholarly appreciation of the major historical events, themes and debates in modern South Asian history in one semester. This course’s survey approach and its wide range of themes will equip the dedicated student not only with academic knowledge but also writing, communication, analysis and critical skills.

 Some of the main topics to be covered in this course are:

  • Establishment of British rule in India
  • Early resistance to colonial rule
  • Socio-cultural impact of colonial rule
  • Women as a focus, and as agents of social reform
  • Early Indian Nationalism, including ‘tribal’ insurrections
  • Nationalism under Gandhi's leadership
  • The path to Independence, including the Partition of India and creation of Pakistan

Grading

  • Class participation 20%
  • Reaction paper 15%
  • Academic journal 20%
  • Primary source analysis 20%
  • Final Examination (take-home) 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Thomas Metcalf, A Concise History of India

RECOMMENDED READING:

Bose and Jalal, Modern South Asia (free e-book )

Thomas Metcalfe, Ideologies of the Raj 


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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