Understanding South Asia

Paper Code: 
DPOL611(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

25DPOL

611(B)

Understanding South Asia

(Theory)

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

CO91:   evaluate the strategies adopted by states for coping with conflicts.

CO92:  design a comparative framework on the variant forms of government authoritarian and democratic of  its  member  nations.

CO93:   examine some case studies on the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in South Asia

CO94: explain political opportunities for regional cooperation and collaboration to address common

Challenges

CO95: analyse the issue and challenges face by SAARC to combat terrorism and migration

CO96: 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: 
Regional Profile

South Asia as a region- Society & economy, developmental profile, National struggle and historical legacies, Division of the subcontinent, Indo- centricity of the region; Interstate disputes and regional cooperation: SAARC and BIMSTEC

18.00
Unit II: 
The North-west

The North-west: Pakistan and Afghanistan- political systems and federal experiments, role of big powers, interstate terrorism, identity politics

18.00
Unit III: 
The Himalayan states

The Himalayan states: Nepal and Bhutan- political structures and constitutional debates, role of monarchy, China factor

18.00
Unit IV: 
The Indian Ocean Island states

The Indian Ocean Island states: Sri Lanka and Maldives- political structures, ethnic and religious movements, debt crisis

18.00
Unit V: 
The Bay of Bengal states

The Bay of Bengal states: Bangladesh and Myanmar- political structures, migration and refugee problem, environmental issues, Problems of Radicalisation

Essential Readings: 

Ø  Basu, R & Rahman, M.S. (2016), Governance in South Asia. New York: Routledge

Ø  Hettige, S. & Gerharz, E. (2015), Governance, Conflict and Development in South Asia: Perspectives from India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. New Delhi: SAGE Publishing India

Ø  Mazumdar, A. (2014), Indian Foreign Policy in Transition: Relations with South Asia. New York: Routledge

Ø  Visweswaran, K. (2011), Perspectives on Modern South Asia: A Reader in Culture, History, and Representation. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons

Ø  Brass, P. (2010), Routledge Handbook of South Asian Politics: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge 

References: 

Ø  Blom, A. & Rewal, S.T.L. (2019) Emotions, Mobilisations and South Asian Politics. Abingdon, Oxon: Taylor & Francis

Ø  Jivanta, S. (2018), Maritime Governance And South Asia: Trade, Security And Sustainable Development In The Indian Ocean. Singapore: World Scientific

Ø  Slate, N. (2017), Colored Cosmopolitanism. Cambridge: Harvard University Press

Ø  DeVotta, N. (2015), An Introduction to South Asian Politics. Abingdon, Oxon: Taylor & Francis

Ø  Smith, D.E. (2015), South Asian Politics and Religion, Princton: Princeton University Press

Ø  Wadley , S. (2014) South Asia in the World: An Introduction. Routledge

Ø  Padukone, N. (2014), Beyond South Asia: India's Strategic Evolution and the Reintegration of the Subcontinent. Bloomsbury Academic

Ø  Pande, A. (2011), Explaining Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Escaping India. New York: Routledge

Academic Year: