This paper acquaints students with the richness and diversity of the anthropological study of South Asia, focusing on the Indian sub-continent and the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It explores both the historically well-developed anthropology of the region and much contemporary research. Its concerns include an understanding of the history of the region, theories of caste; pilgrimage, devotional experience in Hinduism; popular and politicised religion and religious nationalism; Sufism and Islam, syncretism and religious reform; also gender, sexuality and kinship; the significance and legacy of key social and political thinkers such as Gandhi, Nehru and Ambedkar; social movements among 'tribal' and 'subaltern' groups; democracy, governance, communal and religious conflict; class, consumption and the individual and the South Asian diaspora. The paper is taught through seminars and some lectures and film screenings, in a single integrated series of seminars running through all three terms.
Further information including a list of seminar topics and lecture course titles and background reading can be found in the Paper Guide in the Paper Resources section to the right of this page.