University of Calgary

Faculty of Communication and Culture

South Asian Studies (SAST) 315 L60

Understanding South Asia

Summer 2008

MW 18:30-21:00

Instructor:       John Abraham

Office:             TBA               

 

Phone:            TBA   

                       
Email:              jjabraha@ucalgary.ca

 

 

Textbook:

James K. Norton, GLOBAL STUDIES: India and South Asia (Eighth Edition) May 2007

COURSE DESCRIPION

The course will begin with overview of the cultural and political history of the South Asian region from the ancient period until the end of the colonial period. In the second phase, we will cover the history of specific countries and their mutual relations. In the final phase, we will cover the strategic, political and economic developments in South Asia in the contemporary period.

OBJECTIVES

 

The purpose of the course is to provide students with a familiarity of the major historical and cultural aspects of the region. There will be an emphasis on the theoretical and interdisciplinary nature of this field of study, and students will be encouraged to demonstrate a critical understanding of these issues in their reports.

 

ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATIONS

Pre-session reading exam, 10%

Mid-Term exam, 30%

Registrar scheduled Final Exam, 30%

Report, 30% (3000 words, based on a topic that the student will approve with the instructor)

The examinations will not be cumulative.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: YES

 

Policy for Late Assignments

 

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late. 

 

Writing Skills Statement

 

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

 

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255. 

Grading System

 

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

 

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);

C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

Plagiarism

 

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

 

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

 

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

 

Students with Disabilities

 

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

 

Students' Union

 

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

 

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

 

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

 

 

Ethics

Whenever you perform research with human participants (i.e. surveys, interviews, observation) as part of your university studies, you are responsible for following university research ethics guidelines.  Your instructor must review and approve of your research plans and supervise your research.  For more information about your research ethics responsibilities, see

The Faculty of Communication and Culture Research Ethics site: http://www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/ethics

or the University of Calgary Research Ethics site: http://www.ucalgary.ca/research/compliance/ethics/info/undergrad/

 

 

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

To be handed out in class.