Culture, Politics and Globalization in South Asia introduces students to a region of multicultural richness where the contradictions, implications and challenges of colonialism and post-colonialism are evident everywhere.

Once the “Jewel in the Crown” of the British Empire, South Asia is an ideal location for the study of colonial and post-colonial cultural politics as its states grapple with cultural diversity, ethnic and differences and conflicts, socioeconomic inequalities, and global market forces. India, as the largest state in the region, exemplifies the full range of these complexities, sharing frontiers, identities, resources, peoples and problems with every one of its neighbours. This program is located in Tamil Nadu which, cherishing tradition while at the cutting edge of a rapidly changing world, is a microcosm of many post-colonial societies in a time of globalization. The program will interweave global, regional, national and local debates and dilemmas into an exploration of this one multifaceted site.

The program consists of lectures, discussions, tutorials, and field trips to important cultural and political sites in Tamil Nadu, the largest state of southern India. At the program base in Chennai, we’ll visit such landmarks as Kapaleeshwarar Temple, the Fort St.George district, Marina Beach, St. Thomas Basilica and a film studio. We also plan to explore ancient temple cities such as Mamallapuram and Madurai, the world heritage site at Thanjavur, and the French colonial city of Pondicherry.

"Culture, Politics and Globalization in South Asia" is designed for students with an interest in anthropology, cultural studies, history, international relations, political science, political theory, religious studies, social relations, and sociology.

More details about this program can be found here.