Maharajas, Yogis, and Courtesans: India Before Europe
HIST 258
Fall 2014
| Section:
01
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| Certificates: South Asia Studies |
Pre-modern India is often conceived as the epitome of the Mystic East, a timeless land of fabulously rich maharajas, massive war elephants, sinister yogis, and powerful courtesans. Well, it turns out that pre-modern India did have all these things, and much more besides. But India was never timeless. This course examines the major patterns and transformations that defined South Asian society in the four centuries preceding the rise of formal British imperialism in 1858, focusing in particular on such themes as war and military service; asceticism and devotionalism; the jungle and human-animal relations; statecraft and kingship; trade, pilgrimage, and travel; cross-cultural encounter; physical culture and sexuality; poetry and performance traditions; information networks, spying, and court intrigue. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (HIST-MN)(HIST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Asher and Talbot, INDIA BEFORE EUROPE
Godshe Versaikar, 1857: THE REAL STORY OF THE GREAT UPRISING
supplemented with weekly readings from an array of primary and secondary source materials organized around weekly themes
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Examinations and Assignments:
Midterm exam; 2 papers; class participation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Late work will be penalized at the rate of one full letter grade per day. Attendance and participation is mandatory. All scheduled readings must be completed in advance of class.
This course counts toward the South Asia Studies certificate as a "Historical Inquiry" course. |
| Instructor(s): Pinch,William R. Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC421; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 18 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 8 | FR: 10 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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