South Asian History

Course outline
Course structure
Main research interests
Formal requirements
Academic advisor
Contact

Course outline

Heidelberg is one of the few German universities where South Asian History can be studied as a subject in its own right. In this course, the emphasis lies on modern and contemporary history (1500 to the present day). In addition, the Department offers a supplementary teaching programme focusing on pre-modern history and the history of art on the subcontinent.

Research

The major focus is on the investigation and scholarly evaluation of historical South Asian sources (archival studies, editing, historiographic criticism). Special attention is given to the following topics: Mogul rule and regional state formation in the precolonial era; the British conquest of South Asia in a global context; economic, agricultural, ergonomic and ecological history of South Asia; urbanisation; women’s history; socio-religious and political reform and protest movements; post-colonial state formation; historiography of the subcontinent; South Asia and the maritime world between the Indian  Ocean and the China Sea (1400-1800); cultural contact and transfer between South Asia and Europe from 1500 to the present.

Teaching

The modules are made up of lectures, introductory seminars and advanced seminars, practical classes, reading courses and research colloquia on the entire spectrum of South Asian history. Classes focus largely on the following topics: Mogul rule and regional state formation in the precolonial era; the British conquest of South Asia in a global context; economic, agricultural, ergonomic and ecological history of South Asia; urbanisation; women’s history; socio-religious and political reform and protest movements; post-colonial state formation; historiography of the subcontinent; South Asia and the maritime world between the Indian  Ocean and the China Sea (1400-1800); cultural contact and transfer between South Asia and Europe from 1500 to the present.

The B.A. course on South Asian History (25% = subsidiary) is designed as an offering for students with a focus on South Asia wishing to extend the purview of their studies to the methods employed in historical research. At the same time, it is also angled at students of other historical subjects (including regional and cultural studies) who wish to learn more about the specific features of South Asian history. Students of South Asian History as a subsidiary subject (25%) are advised to select their modules in a way enabling them to capitalise on their linguistic or methodological knowledge.

Course structure

The B.A. course on South Asian History consists of two basic modules on the following periods: contemporary history, modern history I and II and pre-modern history (one of the modules must be on modern history). There follow further modules enabling students to familiarise themselves with subject-specific methodologies, historical criticism and cross-disciplinary skills and two modules taking an in-depth approach to the subject matter discussed. The course closes with the B.A. thesis. Depending on research interests, it makes sense to supplement the study of South Asian History with classes on such subjects as Medieval and Early Modern History, Indology, Political Science (with reference to South Asia), Islamic Studies, Geography or Anthropology and to choose one of these as a second subject. An integral part of the course is dedicated to the acquisition of proficiency in one of the languages of South Asia (24 hours a week in term-time). Many classes are held in English, adequate proficiency in this language is a prerequisite for the course.

For South Asian History as a subsidiary subject (25%), there are no language requirements apart from a good working knowledge of English.

Formal requirements

Admission

At present, there are no admission restrictions for the course. Click here for instructions on how to enrol.

International applicants

There are special regulations for international applicants. Please consult Heidelberg University’s International Relations Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt, Seminarstraße 2) for more information.

Subject combinations

There are no restrictions on subject combinations for the course, but students should keep an eye on the Catalogue of Subjects relevant for their second subject.

Study and examination regulations

Examination regulations (28 March 2007)
Examination regulations (15 May 2015)

Module Handbook

Please click here to find the latest Module Handbook.

Examinations board

Issues arising in connection with examinations, credit transfer and academic credential recognition are dealt with by the relevant examinations board/office. For more information, consult the academic advisor(s) indicated below.

Fees

Tuition fees at Heidelberg University are payable at the beginning of each semester.

Academic advisor

Rafael Klöber
Office 204, South Asia Institute
Im Neuenheimer Feld 330
office hours: Mondays 2 – 4 pm
phone: +49 (0)6221 548942
e-mail: rkloeber@sai.uni-heidelberg.de

Manju Ludwig
South Asia Institute
Im Neuenheimer Feld 330, Zi. 204
office hours: Mondays 9.30 – 11.30 am
phone: +49 (0)6221 548942
e-mail: mludwig@sai.uni-heidelberg.de

Contact

South Asia Institute
Abteilung Geschichte
Im Neuenheimer Feld 330
D-69120 Heidelberg

Secretaries
phone: +49 (0)6221 548807
fax: +49 (0)6221 546381
Open: Mondays to Thursdays 10 am – 12 noon and by arrangement
e-mail history@sai.uni-heidelberg.de
Internet www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/history/
Location

Student representation
Internet: http://fachschaftsai.wordpress.com/
e-mail:       fachschaftsai@googlemail.com