Spring 2010

ANT 324L • Indent/Power/Resist in S Asia-W

Course Description

Imperialism and colonialism have long served as central, modern metaphors for domination and the denial of equality and freedom. But are colonial domination and equality/freedom necessary antagonisms? Anti-colonial nationalisms and popular movements were the antagonists of colonial forms of domination. What kind of consciousness propelled the actors within such initiatives? Does this consciousness pose specific problems for our thinking of democracy by questioning the categories of subject, agent, politics and freedom? If it does, then how should we think about democracy and its associated categories today when we are engaged in various wars precisely in the name of such categories?

Grading Policy

One mid-term ( 20% of grade), one book-review (5 pages, 20% of grade) and one final ( 30% of grade). Each student will also be required to make one presentation to the class (15% of the grade). Participation in class will count for 15% of the grade

Texts

•Amin, Shahid. 1995. Event, Metaphor, Memory: Chauri Chaura 1922-1992. UC Press. •Chatterjee, Partha. 1993. The Nation and Its Fragments. Princeton University Press. •Guha, Ranajit. 1997. The Subaltern Studies Reader. University of Minnesota Press. •Ludden, David. 2002. India and South Asia: A Short History. One World Publications. Apart from the above books most of the readings are in the form of articles which shall be available as a course reader.

back