Bengaluru Courses – 2023 Summer

Studying abroad can be a more meaningful and invigorating learning experience than at home—both inside and outside of the classroom. You may be more curious and alert than you usually are so use this heightened energy to enhance your studies as well as your cultural and geographical explorations. You may also encounter different teaching styles and course processes; be prepared to adapt and to learn.

Courses

You will enroll in three to six credits during the 4-week summer session. At least one 3-credit course is required. Course availability is contingent upon student interest and enrollment and is subject to change.

Click the course title to view course details, description, and availability.

Caste, Class, and Gender in India

Summer

Sociology Women's Studies / Gender Studies 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

The social and structural hierarchy in India controlled the lives of its people throughout history. The Indian caste system has not only integrated itself into the culture, but it has also been the cause of inequality that has oppressed classes of people for centuries. This course will cover topics such as the history of the caste system, religion, politics, gender, and class inequality.
Cultural Traditions of India

Summer

Anthropology Sociology 300-level 1 credit Taught in English

India showcases a vibrant amalgamation of different thoughts, languages, cuisines, landscapes, fashion, architecture and people. In ‘Indian Cultures and Traditions’, we proudly pay tribute to the world’s greatest celebration of diversity-starting with the primordial Vedic ages, touching upon the grandeur of the Mughal era, narrating the riveting tales from the colonial period, and concluding with the wonder that is contemporary India. In this course, the students not only learn about India, but truly live and breathe in it too. They experience its rich and fiery spirit, clearly visible in dusty streets, crowded markets, old restaurants, marvelously adorned temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras (sikh temple), and in the sweaty wide-eyed grins of the auto-walas. They can easily envision being an Indian citizen, with activities like shopping for spices and vegetables, going to the theatres, sipping tea from stalls, making chana masala, and weaving a million unforgettable memories. The festivals (from Holi to Diwali) which they write about in their research papers are also felt in their raw and real forms and gloriously enjoyed. Join us as we revel in the explosion of colours and cultures, and explore with us the depths of the soul of India.
Gandhi and Peace Studies

Summer

History Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

The Indian national movement was undoubtedly one of the biggest mass movements modern society has ever seen. It was a movement which galvanized millions of people of all classes and ideologies into political action and brought to its knees a mighty colonial empire. Consequently, along with the British, French, Russian, Chinese, Cuban and Vietnamese revolutions, it is of great relevance to those wishing to alter the existing political and social structure.

Various aspects of the Indian national movement, especially Gandhian political strategy, are particularly relevant to the societies that broadly function within the confines of the rule of law and are characterized by a democratic and basically civil libertarian polity. It is however relevant to other societies too. We know for a fact that even Lech Walesa consciously tried to incorporate elements of Gandhian strategy in the Solidarity Movement in Poland.

Gandhi did not claim to be a prophet or even a philosopher. “There is no such thing as Gandhism,” he warned, and “I do not want to leave any sect after me”. There was only one Gandhian, he said, an imperfect one at that: himself.

The most important event in the Indian politics after the First World War was the advent of M. K. Gandhi. Gandhi discovered India in discovering himself. It is important indeed to understand Gandhi’s political life and particularly his non-violence, in the light of this radical discovery, from which, everything else received its meaning.
Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship

Summer

Entrepreneurship General Business Sociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

This course seeks to give students an in depth understanding of rural India and its possibilities for enterprise through case studies on innovative rural enterprises. Students will receive a hands-on experience of exploring and creating solutions by challenging them to explore opportunities through field immersion and engaging them with rural communities to create model enterprises.

Rural India comprises 66.46% of India’s population and contributes to a large portion of India’s GDP by way of agriculture, services, skilled and non-skilled labor. Rural India suffers from socio-economic distress due to several factors, small land holding, rain dependent agriculture, lack of alternative sources of income, migration to urban centers and due to several sociological factors.

Rural India in its diverse geographies has a huge potential to provide solutions to some of the gravest global challenges pertaining to environment and sustainable development and which remains largely untapped. This calls for a focused approach in exploring the potential opportunities through a scientific approach of critical thinking and creativity, pro-active engagement of rural communities, creating effective structures to implement and create global visibility for the proprietary products and services created.

Such an approach will substantially mitigate socio-economic distress in rural communities by providing them income generating opportunities by engaging social enterprises and contribute to the sustainability goals of the UN.
Religions of India

Summer

Religious Studies Sociology 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

This course involves a historical and thematic survey of the Buddhist tradition from the time of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, until the present. We explore some of the ways in which Buddhist teachings and practices have interacted with and been changed by various cultures in the world. This course does not aim to be comprehensive, but instead to introduce the student to some of the important and enduring themes of Buddhism.