Course Summary
Explore the diverse culture, history and economics of India through this comprehensive course that covers topics such as religion, politics, business, and more.Key Learning Points
- Gain a deep understanding of the complex history and culture of India
- Explore the political and economic landscape of India
- Learn about the different religions and traditions of India
Related Topics for further study
- Indian history and culture
- Religion and spirituality in India
- Indian economy and business
- Indian politics
- Indian art and literature
Learning Outcomes
- Gain a deep understanding of the diverse and complex culture of India
- Develop knowledge of the political and economic landscape of India
- Learn about the different religions and traditions of India
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- None
- Interest in Indian culture and history
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
- Video lectures
Similar Courses
- South Asian Cultural Studies
- Introduction to Hinduism
Related Education Paths
Related Books
Description
This course presents some important vignettes of a complex, highly diverse India that is also witnessing unprecedented changes since its formal independence in 1947 from Great Britain. The lectures revolve around social dimensions of change, the continuing influence of ancient texts on contemporary India, political democracy, economic transition from the state to the market, gender relations, India's economic globalisation and changing world view.
Outline
- Contemporary India's history
- Course overview
- 1.1 Colonial history: British rule in India
- 1.2 Pre-partition history
- 1.3 The tryst with destiny
- 1.4 Partition and nation-states: a technology of modernity
- 1.5 Partition and amnesia
- 1.6 Ghosts of partition: contemporary India 1
- 1.7 Ghosts of partition: contemporary India 2
- Course outline
- Your teaching team
- Week 1 outline
- Start of course survey
- Quiz #1 (worth 10% of your final grade)
- Indian politics 1948-2014
- 2.1 Indian politics 1948-2014
- 2.2 India from ‘Above’--1
- 2.3 India from ‘Above’--2
- 2.4 India from ‘Above’--3
- 2.5 India from ‘Below’--1
- 2.6 India from ‘Below’--2
- Week 2 outline
- Academic integrity
- The long transition of India's economy
- 3.1 The long transition of the Indian economy
- 3.2 Substance of state intervention
- 3.3 Exhaustion of state-led development
- 3.4 1991 Market reforms and state retreat
- 3.5 First generation of reforms and achievements
- 3.6 Second generation of reforms
- 3.7 Where does India stand? India's place in the world economy
- 3.8 India's global economic visibility
- 3.9 Major challenges ahead: poverty, employment, inequality
- Week 3 outline
- India's foreign policy
- 4.1 Why study India’s foreign policy?
- 4.2 The seven phases of India foreign policy
- 4.3 The limits of idealism
- 4.4 The fractured years, 1962-1970
- 4.5 The idea of power, 1971-1989
- 4.6 The years of reflection, 1990-1998
- 4.7 Consolidation of U.S – India relations
- 4.8 Back to the future, 2011-2014
- Week 4 outline
- Women, gender and feminist struggles in India
- 5.0 Overview: women, gender and feminist struggles in India
- 5.1 Change: the success story
- 5.2 Continuities and paradoxes
- 5.3 Violence against women
- 5.4 Poor women
- 5.5 Muslim women. The Shah Bano case
- 5.6 Sexual minorities
- 5.7 Sex workers
- 5.8 Summary and conclusion
- Week 5 outline
- Quiz #2 (worth 10% of your final grade)
- The Ramayan
- 6.1 Many Ramayanas: text and tradition
- 6.2 Ram and Sita's wedding - part 1
- 6.3 Ram and Sita's wedding - part 2
- 6.4 The forest exile
- 6.5 The battle at Lanka
- 6.6 Many Ramayanas: the story continues
- Week 6 outline
- The past in the present: traditional art forms in today's India
- 7.1 The past in the present: traditional art forms in today’s India
- 7.2 Compartmentalisation & context sensitivity
- 7.3 Economic imperialism & commodification
- 7.4 Essentialism, fetishization & museumization
- 7.5 Conservation & heritage-ization
- 7.6 Conclusions
- Week 7 outline
- End of Course Survey
- Quiz #3 (worth 20% of your final grade)
Summary of User Reviews
Discover the fascinating history, culture, and society of India with this comprehensive course from Coursera. The course has received positive reviews, with many users praising its engaging content and knowledgeable instructors.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The course provides a thorough and in-depth exploration of Indian history and culture.Pros from User Reviews
- Engaging and knowledgeable instructors
- Comprehensive coverage of Indian history and culture
- Flexible learning schedule
- Interactive and engaging course material
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course material too dense and overwhelming
- Limited interaction with other students
- Not enough focus on contemporary India
- Some technical issues with the online platform
Anthony D'Costa
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