Spring 2007

ANS 372 • South Indian Cultural History

Course Description

"Introduction to South Indian Culture" is an introductory course on South India. This course will provide the student with a thorough understanding to South Indian cultures through a wide variety of focus on different components and aspects of cultures. The course will examine major components of culture in Indian context in general and south India in particular. The course will proceed with the introduction to early culture and examine the development of political structure and its influence on social structures and their vital institutions. During the course of study, the class will examine about indigenous race(s), pre-historic situations, their cultures, their influence; role of geography in south Indian cultures, influence of other cultures on south Indian society; contact between south India with East Asia; role of temples, temples as cultural centers and their influence on society; emergence of social divisions (caste-structures), marriage and marriage patterns, rituals: believes and faiths, etc. A clear picture about the early, medieval, and modern cultures will be presented to understand the south Indian cultures through lectures, visual aids, class-notes, reference materials, etc. Student's active participation form part of the course.

Grading Policy

Quizzes (2) 50% Five short notes from class video 10% Attendance and class participation 15% Papers (2) 25%

Texts

M.L. Bose. Social and Cultural History of Ancient India Nilakanta Sastri. History of South India Thapar Romila. History of India I and II Trautmann R. Thomas, Aryans and British India Gilbert Slater. The Dravidian Element in Indian Culture Sunil Khilnana. The Idea of India Course packet and materials Related books/articles/references given in the class

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