International Studies South Asian Studies - Middlebury College

International Studies South Asian Studies from Middlebury College is a Campus Bachelor Area Studies degree that prepares you for a Liberal Arts career. For better or worse, South Asia is in the news. India\\\'s growing economic clout, the worsening political crises between India and its immediate neighbors, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and the increasing influence of Islamic fundamentalism have focused global attention on this diverse and vital region. There has never been a better time to learn about South Asia. China and Japan have long been the major players in Asia, but India has also stepped onto the world stage, and it is clear that there is no turning back. Indeed, it is no longer possible to count oneself as truly educated without having learned something about South Asia and its extraordinarily rich culture, history, geography, and current affairs. What is South Asia? South Asia includes India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. In addition, Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar) are often considered to be part of the region. India is not only home to more than a billion people, but it is also the largest secular democracy on the planet. It has a material history that reaches back almost 4,000 years, and it is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism and Janism. Islam, Christianity, and Zorastrianism, along with many other belief systems, are also widely practiced in the region. The legacy of British colonialism, the traumas and challenges of Indian independence, and the aftermath of Partition have all left deep marks on the region\\\'s sense of identity. Negotiating the extraordinary legacy of its histories, managing the multiplicities of identities, and coming to terms with modernity and the challenges of globalism are all critical issues in South Asia today. Beyond this, the South Asian diaspora is widely spread across the planet and is a major force in the visibility and influence of South Asian culture outside of the region. All one has to do is look at the myriad subtitle choices available on a Bollywood film DVD to understand just how far India\\\'s reach extends! Overview The South Asian Studies major provides students with a broad spectrum of courses on the history, politics, philosophy, religion, literature, arts, popular culture, and development of South Asia. While this major is relatively young, new courses are being added all the time, and it is an exciting time to be part of this burgeoning area of Middlebury\\\'s curriculum. A semester or a year abroad at a leading university in the region is an essential component of the major, not only for the invaluable cultural experience, but also because South Asian languages are not currently available at Middlebury. As a South Asian Studies major, you will be focusing on one of the most dynamic and interesting areas of study for global citizens of the 21st century. View more details on Middlebury College . Ask your questions and apply online for this program or find other related Area Studies courses.