AN241 Half Unit Not available in 2011/12
The Anthropology of India
This information is for the 2011/12 session.
Teachers responsible
Availability
Optional for BA/BSc Social Anthropology and BA Anthropology and Law. Also available to General Course students and as an outside option. Pre-requisites
Undergraduates taking this course should have completed an introductory course in anthropology unless granted exemption by the course teacher. Course content
The caste system; the village and its local economy; kinship. The modern transformation of caste and stratification systems; untouchability and reservations. Modern industry and economic development and their impact on caste and class. Popular Hindu belief and practices and the social organisation of religion; religious reformism and nationalism. Modern politics and the state; the impact of globalisation. Teaching
Lectures weekly MT, Classes weekly MT. Formative coursework
Students are expected to prepare discussion material for presentation in the classes and are required to write assessment essays.
Anthropology students taking this course will have an opportunity to submit a tutorial essay for this course to their personal tutors. For non-Anthropology students taking this course, a formative essay may be submitted to the course teacher.
Indicative reading
V Das, Structure and Cognition: Aspects of Hindu Caste and Ritual; L Dumont, Homo Hierarchicus; C Fuller, Servants of the Goddess; The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Indian Society; A Gold, Fruitful Journeys; J Parry, Death in Banaras; Caste and Kinship in Kangra; M Srinivas, Religion and Society among the Coorgs. Detailed reading lists are provided at the beginning of the course. Assessment
A two-hour examination in the ST worth 80%. One assessed essay of 2,000-2,500 words (20%). ^
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