HIS4416 – State, Politics and Culture in 20th Century South Asia
Course description
Course content
The course deals with political mobilization and popular political participation in colonial and post-colonial South Asia. We will discuss the nature of political and social changes caused by the imposition of the centralized, bureaucratic colonial regime, including conflicts between Hindus and Moslems.
Topics include the nature of the Indian National Congress as a political movement and its function as a governing party in independent India.
Special attention will be placed on changes in party politics in post-colonial South Asia, the greater incidence of violence in political processes and the significance of personality cults in electoral processes.
Learning outcome
Students will learn the basic components of political culture in a region of the world which has highly complicated social structures and a vast, mostly agricultural population. They will see the effect of the imposition of European political structures on the emergence of modern politics in this region. They will also learn the kinds of political dynamics which are set in motion by the introduction of electoral politics in socially complex societies. Students will also development the capacity to read critically, think independently and write clearly.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Admission to the mastersprogramme in History.
Recommended previous knowledge
A good ability to read and understand English is required for this course.
Overlapping courses
Overlap with HIS2416 – State, Politics and Culture in 20th Century South Asia (discontinued)
Teaching
This course is given in the form of seminars.
Examination
Students assessed by a six-hour written examination.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Other
Students’ own work can be in either English or Norwegian.