Understanding South Asia

Paper Code: 
24DPOL 611(B)
Credits: 
06
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The objectives of this course are to introduces the historical legacies and geopolitics of South Asia as a region. It imparts an understanding of political regime types as well as the socio-economic issues of the region in a comparative framework. The course also apprises students of the common challenges and the strategies deployed to deal with them by countries in South Asia.This course help the student to inter-state conflicts and other matters concerning bilateral relations.  

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes (at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

DPOL

611-B

Understanding South Asia

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

CO90:   evaluate the strategies adopted by states for coping with conflicts.

CO91:  design a comparative framework on the variant  forms  of  government- authoritarian  and democratic-of  its  member  nations.

CO92:   examine some case studies on the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in South Asia

CO93: explain political opportunities for regional cooperation and collaboration to address common

Challenges

CO97: analyse the issue and challenges face by SAARC to combat terrorism and migration

CO98: contribute effectively in Course specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks.

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects
 

 

18.00
Unit I: 
South Asia- Understanding South Asia as a Region:

Historical and Colonial Legacies, Geopolitics of South Asia

 

18.00
Unit II: 
Politics and Governance:

Regime types: democracy, authoritarianism, monarchy; Emerging constitutional practices: federal experiments in Pakistan; constitutional debate in Nepal and Bhutan; devolution debate in Sri Lanka

 

 

18.00
Unit III: 
Socio-Economic Issues:

Identity politics and economic deprivation: challenges and impacts (case studies of Pakistan, Bangladesh)

 

18.00
Unit IV: 
Socio-Economic Issues:

Identity politics and economic deprivation: challenges and impacts (case studies of Nepal, Sri Lanka)

 

18.00
Unit V: 
Regional Issues and Challenges:

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): problems and prospects; Terrorism and Migration

 

Essential Readings: 
  • Basu, R & Rahman, M.S. (2016), Governance in South Asia. New York: Routledge
  • Hettige, S. & Gerharz, E. (2015), Governance, Conflict and Development in South Asia: Perspectives from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. New Delhi: SAGE Publishing India
  • Mazumdar, A. (2014), Indian Foreign Policy in Transition: Relations with South Asia. New York: Routledge
  • Visweswaran, K. (2011), Perspectives on Modern South Asia: A Reader in Culture, History, and Representation. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons
  • Brass, P. (2010), Routledge Handbook of South Asian Politics: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge

 

References: 
  • Blom, A. & Rewal, S.T.L. (2019) Emotions, Mobilisations and South Asian Politics. Abingdon, Oxon: Taylor & Francis
  • Jivanta, S. (2018), Maritime Governance And South Asia: Trade, Security And Sustainable Development In The Indian Ocean. Singapore: World Scientific
  • Slate, N. (2017), Colored Cosmopolitanism. Cambridge: Harvard University Press
  • DeVotta, N. (2015), An Introduction to South Asian Politics. Abingdon, Oxon: Taylor & Francis
  • Smith, D.E. (2015), South Asian Politics and Religion, Princton: Princeton University Press
  • Wadley , S. (2014) South Asia in the World: An Introduction. Routledge
  • Padukone, N. (2014), Beyond South Asia: India's Strategic Evolution and the Reintegration of the Subcontinent. Bloomsbury Academic
  • Pande, A. (2011), Explaining Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Escaping India. New York: Routledge
  • Paul,T.V.(ed), (2010),South Asia’s Weak States, California,Stanford University Press
  • Paul, T.V. (2010), South Asia's Weak States: Understanding the Regional Insecurity Predicament. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press
  • Mendis, D. (2007), Electoral Processes and Governance in South Asia. New Delhi: SAGE Publications India

 

Academic Year: 
2024-25
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