Project South Asia - Modern South Asia Syllabus

HIST 458 Modern South Asia

MWF 11-11:50 a.m.

Karl J. Schmidt, Missouri Southern State College

Office: Webster Hall 118

Spring 1999

Course Description and Purpose:

Survey of modern South Asia (focusing on the area which now includes India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) from the advent of the Mughal empire through the present. Course emphasizes developments in South Asian culture, society, and politics, particularly the impact of European imperialism, the rise of Indian nationalism, Indian independence, and post-independence foreign and domestic politics; (2) comprehend the significance of major political figures and movements, including their aspirations and ultimate significance in shaping Indian history; and (3) analyze and interpret historical events and movements in discussions; in short, acceptable in-class essays; and in formal, written papers.

Texts:

There are two basic texts for the course. The item marked with an asterisk (*) is a rental text, whereas the other is for purchase (REQUIRED). In addition to these texts, students will be expected to read supplementary works placed on reserve at the library.

*Karl J. Schmidt, An Atlas and Survey of South Asian History (Armonk, NY and London: M. E. Sharpe, Inc., 1995).

Burton Stein, A History of India (Blackwell Publishing, 1998).

NOTE ON READING: Part of the college experience involves reading and studying textbooks. You will be expected to read both the main texts, supplementary texts, and the library readings thoroughly and you will be tested on them (if you do not have time this semester to read and study, I suggest you take another course).

Course Requirements:

Examinations (150 points): There will be three (3) exams in total, i.e., two mid-term examinations and the final examination. Each of these exams will be worth a total of 50 points and will consist of some combination of short answer, identification, map, short essay, and long essay components (the exact mixture will be at my discretion). All exams will cover material from both the lectures and the readings. NOTE: UNEXCUSED FAILURE TO TAKE ANY OF THESE EXAMS WILL RESULT IN AN "F" (0 POINTS) FOR THAT EXAM.

Research Paper (80 points): One (1) mid-length (8-10 pages, typed) research paper is required based on a close reading and analysis of some primary documents available in the library. I will be handing out a separate instruction sheet dealing with the research paper and its requirements.

Quizzes (10 points): Two (2) short in-class quizzes (5 points each) will be given. You will be tested on South Asian place locations and other aspects of geography. Quizzes will be given promptly at the beginning of class; if you are late to class, you will not receive extra time. Full details of this requirement will be discussed in class.

Discussions and Class Participation (60 points): Frequent discussions will be held during the course of the semester, based on the material presented in class, in your textbooks, and from supplementary readings. Participation is mandatory; a lack thereof on your part will result in reduced grades. Your cooperation in this endeavor will be strongly appreciated (and even rewarded!). I will give you a short quiz at the beginning of each discussion period to test your knowledge of the assigned discussion material; these quizzes will count toward your participation grade. Other in-class exercises will also count toward participation.

I will evaluate the overall quality of your participation at the end of the semester and will assign a grade accordingly. Quality participation is defined as follows: responding to questions I ask in class in a thoughtful way (simply blurting out answers without being able to substantiate why you came up with the answer in the first place is not considered thoughtful); active participation in group class discussions (not reading the assigned material for the discussion prevents you from being an active participant); and performance on the in-class readings quizzes and other exercises. Excessive absences will also affect your final grade (see policy on Attendance below).

Attendance: Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting. Good attendance is strongly encouraged as at least half of the material asked for on the exams will be derived from my lectures. Also, excessive absences will have a detrimental effect on your final grade due to missed material. You are responsible for getting notes and assignments for missed days. I DO NOT give out my lecture notes for any reason.

PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING POLICY: perfect attendance (no class days missed) will be rewarded by the addition of 5 points to your final score; no penalty will be assessed for missing between 1 and 3 days, neither will you receive any reward; missing more than 3 days will result in a 3-point-per-day penalty being assessed (in other words, 3 points will be deducted from your final score for every day over 3 you miss).

Course Grades:

Grades for the course will be assigned based on the possible total of 300 points for the examinations, quizzes, and participation and will be based on these standards: A = 270 - 300 points; B = 240 - 269 points; C = 210 -239 points; D = 180 - 209 points; F = Fewer than 209 points. There is NO "extra credit" work in this course, so please do your best on the scheduled assignments.

Policies:

Excused Late Work: It is your responsibility to know the dates of the exams and quizzes. The only valid excuses for not taking an exam or quiz are: certain required college activities, illness requiring medical care, or extreme and verifiable personal emergencies. Notify me in advance, if possible, of any valid, verifiable excuse, and present documentation. Documentation is REQUIRED to receive exemption from penalty (this includes the conditions addressed above under Attendance). Otherwise all late work will be treated as below. Exams and quizzes may be made-up only during regularly scheduled, departmentally-mandated make-up times (see me for details).

Unexcused Late Work: Failure to take an exam or a quiz for unacceptable reasons (conflicts with your employment, work from other classes, oversleeping, transportation problems, fraternity or sorority functions, prearranged trips home, extended vacations, etc.) will be penalized as follows:

Exams-deduction of 15 points

Paper-deduction of twenty (20) percent for every day late

NOTE: YOU MUST NOTIFY ME WITHIN ONE WEEK OF YOUR FAILURE TO TAKE AN EXAMINATION AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE EXAM OR EXAMS DURING THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED, DEPARTMENTALLY-MANDATED MAKE-UP TIMES. FAILURE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN ONE WEEK OF MISSING THE EXAMINATION WILL RESULT IN AN "F" (0 POINTS) ON THAT EXAMINATION. ALL MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS MUST BE TAKEN DURING THE ABOVE-MENTIONED MAKE-UP TIMES-THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Quizzes and other in-class exercises-There is NO unexcused make-up allowed for quizzes or in-class exercises.

Suggestions:

How Much to Study? A good guideline for the average student is to study two hours outside the classroom for every hour of time inside the classroom, not including preparation for examinations and discussions. Questions, Comments, Opinions, Criticisms? Your questions, comments, opinions, and criticisms are welcome and encouraged in this course. Your final grade will be based on your performance on the exams, papers, and class participation, not on your agreement or disagreement with me. Problems? See me as soon as possible.

NB: If you are an individual with a disability and require an accommodation for this class, please notify the professor or Melissa Locher, Disabilities Coordinator, at the Learning Center.

Course Outline (Subject to some revision):

Please Note: All books and other materials under the heading "required supplementary readings" will be placed on Spiva Library reserve.

Week 1

Introduction to course; India in 1500; Advent of the Mughals

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 2-9 and 38-43

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 2

The Mughals (continued)

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 50-53

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 3

Advent of the Europeans; Anglo-French Conflict, 1740-1765

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 46-49 and 56-57

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 4

Growth of British Power, 1765-1798; The British Ascendancy, 1798-1823

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 58-63

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 5

The British Ascendancy, 1798-1823 (cont'd.); Expansion of British Dominion, 1824-1856

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 64-65; 68-69; 138-141

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 6

FIRST EXAMINATION (Monday, Feb. 22); Expansion of British Dominion, 1824-1856 (cont'd.); Rise of the Sikh Kingdom

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, (NONE)

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 7

Anglo-Sikh Conflicts; The East India Company: Organization

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 66-67; 70-71

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 8

Economic Developments; Social and Religious Developments

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 102-105

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 9

The War of 1857

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 72-73

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 10

SPRING BREAK (no classes)

Required text readings: NONE

Required supplementary readings: NONE

Week 11

Crown Rule, 1858-1905; Challenge of Indian Nationalism: First Phase, 1885-1905

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, none

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 12

SECOND EXAMINATION (Monday, Apr. 5); Religious Revival and Reform; The Great Game

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 74-79; 124-127

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 13

Challenge of Indian Nationalism: Second Phase, 1905-1918; Gandhi

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt (NONE)

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 14

Jinnah and the Idea of Pakistan; Toward Freedom for India

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 80-83; 132-133

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 15

The Nehru Era in India, 1947-64; India under Indira Gandhi

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 84-93; 112-113

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 16

Pakistan since 1947; Bangladesh since 1971; India since Indira Gandhi

Required text readings: TBA

Schmidt, 94-95; 114-117; 134-135

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 17

The Future of South Asia?

Required text readings: None

Required supplementary readings: TBA weekly

Week 18

THIRD AND FINAL EXAMINATION (Monday, May 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.)

A Final Note: As I have lived and worked in South Asia for extended periods, I have gathered many materials and have taken many slides of cultural and historical sites. I will share these materials and slides with you as appropriate throughout the semester. I also plan to show several videos. As I feel that visual impressions are very important for a complete understanding of a culturally complex area such as South Asia, I encourage you to attend class as often as is humanly possible, lest you miss too much of the visual record.