POLSC 334: Government and Politics in South Asia
Prof. Jolie Wood
Spring 2014
Tuesday and Thursday, 1:30–2:45
Quigley 126
Office: 113 Quigley Hall
Office hours: TBD
Email: jwood@allegheny.edu
This course provides an introduction to the politics of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the
three largest countries in the region known as “South Asia.” Home to over 1/5 of humanity,
South Asia has long been a politically and socially complex and dynamic region. Following the
independence movements which brought British colonial rule to an end in 1947, the
foundations of a democratic system of governance were established in India, which has
expanded and consolidated its democracy ever since—confounding the predictions of its
former colonial rulers, other Western leaders, and political scientists alike. How Indian
democracy functions despite a host of factors (such as widespread poverty and illiteracy,
linguistic and ethnic diversity, and persistent conflict and insurgency) that would seem to
impede it, will be one theme that we explore. Why Pakistan, despite shared historical,
political, and cultural inheritance with India, has had such a difficult time establishing an
enduring democratic system will be another. Bangladesh, once ungraciously labeled an
“international basket case” by US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, has doggedly pursued
the goal of a consolidated democracy despite periods of military dictatorship, persistent
corruption, and the challenges of economic development.
We will pay special attention to the social foundations of political institutions and processes,
particularly the caste system and the political rise of the lower castes in India; the competing
claims of multiple linguistic, ethnic, and religious groups in India and Pakistan; the dynamics
of patron-client systems of political representation; and civil society in all three countries.
Said to have been coined by US government analysts in the post-WWII years, the term “South
Asia” usually refers to the region sometimes called the Indian subcontinent, and is usually
meant to include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It has become the most
common term for this area in the US and is increasingly used among English-language
speakers in the region itself. Despite complex disagreements and rivalries, largely a legacy of
the British colonial period, these countries share deeply integrated political histories,
economies, and broader culture traditions that give the region its distinctive identity. Due to
limited time, we will not cover Sri Lanka, Nepal, or other countries sometimes also covered by
the term “South Asia,” such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
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Required Texts


Oberst, Robert C., Yogendra K. Malik, Charles Kennedy, Ashok Kapur, Mahendra Lawoti,
Syedur Rahman, and Ahrar Ahmad. Seventh Ed. Government and Politics in South Asia.
Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2013.
A course packet is also required and is available in the bookstore.
Additionally, you are expected to keep up with current events in the region. Occasionally we
may take a break from discussing the assigned readings to discuss important current events. I
may even revise the syllabus on the basis of current events. Two good English-language
sources for quick updates are the BBC website’s Asia and India sections and, on India, the New
York Time’s blog, “India Ink.” However, for a deeper understanding, you should explore the
region’s vast array of English-language media, all available online. Some of the best include:
 The Hindu (a very old, highly respected newspaper)
 The Indian Express (known for its high-quality investigative reporting)
 The Times of India (one of the largest-circulation dailies in the world)
 The Daily Times (Pakistan)
 Dawn (Pakistan)
 Daily Star (Bangladesh’s largest newspaper)
 New Age (Bangladesh; considered to be more “independent” journalism)
The most important current-events journals to consult are: Economic and Political Weekly,
Frontline, Newsline, Herald, Seminar, and Himal Southasian. All of these are available online.
Course Assessment
Reaction/Discussion Papers (5 papers each worth 5%, for a total of 25%)
Among the topics and issues that we are reading about and discussing, what do you find most
compelling, confusing, intriguing, interesting, or objectionable? You will periodically have the
chance to write a short reaction/discussion paper on a theme of your choosing, clearly
relevant to the current topic of the class and making explicit reference to at least three related
assigned readings. Papers should be about 500 words long. Be prepared to discuss your paper
in class on due dates. Papers will be due at 12:00 noon in the Sakai Drop Box on the following
dates: February 25, March 13, April 3, April 15, and April 24.
Midterm exam (20%)
An in-class exam covering material from the first half of the course. Format to be discussed in
class. March 4.
Research Proposal: 10%
A 500-word discussion of your research paper topic that demonstrates considerable
preliminary research and advances a tentative argument. Your discussion will be followed by
a preliminary bibliography that lists at least five scholarly sources (these should be mainly
books and/or academic journal articles) and is properly formatted in either Chicago Style or
MLA. Due March 25 at 5:00pm via Sakai’s Drop Box.
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Research Paper: 20%
A 12- to 15-page paper presenting in-depth research and analysis of the topic that you have
proposed. The paper will be focused on a clear thesis statement and will deploy evidence
drawn from extensive research. It must include a Works Cited list containing at least ten
scholarly sources, including books and articles from refereed academic journals. Your
research may also include reports published by reputable research institutes and articles
from reputable newspapers, magazines, or other media outlets. Due in Sakai’s Drop Box on
Tuesday, April 29, at 11:59pm.
Attendance and Participation (5%)
Class attendance is required. After three unexcused absences, each additional unexcused
absence (i.e., the fourth unexcused absence and beyond) will result in a deduction of ten
points from your attendance grade (i.e., a fourth unexcused absence takes you from 100 down
to a 90; a fifth unexcused absence down to an 80; and so on). Absences due to illness and
serious family emergencies are excused.
Well-reasoned, active, and courteous participation in class discussion is essential to an
interesting, enriching course and a strong final grade. I will look for your efforts to speak up
on a regular basis; informed engagement with the course material; careful reasoning; and the
ability to convey your reasoning clearly and in a courteous manner. “Over-participating” or
dominating the discussion to the detriment of other students’ participation is discouraged.
Your participation should reflect your engagement with the assigned readings. Your
contributions/questions do not have to be brilliant, just relevant and thoughtful.
Final exam (20%)
In-class exam focusing on material in the second half of the course. Format will be discussed
in class. Exam will be held on May 6 at 2:00pm
Course Policies
Sakai
We make extensive use of Sakai in this course. You will submit your written assignments to
Sakai’s Drop Box (or in the case of the discussion briefs, you may post them under
“Resources”), and I will return marked assignments through Drop Box. Additionally, I will
occasionally post news articles and supplementary readings on Sakai. You will be notified of
any additions. Please see me if you have any questions on how to use Sakai.
Electronic Devices
Use of cell phones, laptops, and other electronic devices is prohibited during class.
Students who need to use a laptop in class may do so with appropriate documentation from
the Learning Commons.
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Late written assignments
You are allowed one 2-day extension on any one of the written assignments. You should
probably save your extension for when it is absolutely necessary. After you have used your 2day extension, any late assignments will be subject to a grade penalty of five points per day
(e.g., if your paper would otherwise receive a grade of 80, it would get a 75 if it is one day late,
a 70 if it is two days late, and so on.
Plagiarism
We will not tolerate plagiarism in this course. As stated in Allegheny College’s Honor Code,
“Plagiarism is defined as using the ideas or words of another without citing the sources from
which the ideas or words are taken.” This includes anything you find on the Internet. Please
read the Honor Code, available in The Compass, the College Catalogue, and online, and read
Article III of “College Policies,” printed in The Compass. In accordance with college policy, I will
report all cases of suspected plagiarism to the Honor Committee. We will discuss proper
citation methods in class.
Student Support
I strongly encourage you to visit me during office hours to discuss any aspect of the course
and related academic matters. No appointment is necessary during office hours. If you are
unable to come during office hours, please email me to make an appointment.
Students who want to develop their writing and study skills (e.g., time management, effective
reading, and test taking) can and should avail themselves of the Learning Commons in
Pelletier Library. For more information, see their website:
http://sites.allegheny.edu/learningcommons/
If you know or suspect that you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning challenge
that negatively affects your academic performance, please contact John Mangine, the Director
of Student Support Services, in the Pelletier Library at (814) 332-2898 or
john.mangine@allegheny.edu. John Mangine and the staff at the Learning Commons will
review your concerns and determine, with you, if and/or what accommodations are necessary
and appropriate. All information and documentation of disability is entirely confidential.
Changes to the Syllabus
I reserve the right to modify this syllabus depending on the progress of the class. You will be
notified of any such changes well in advance.
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Course Topics, Reading Assignments, and Due Dates
Topic
Date
Readings, Presentations
Due Dates, Exams
Introduction (Jan 14-21)
Introduction
Jan 16
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 1 (pp. 1-10)
Jan 21
Farmer, An Introduction to South Asia, Ch. 1 (pp. 4-25) (packet)
State of Democracy in South Asia: A Report, Chap. 1-2 (pp. 9-33) (Sakai)
TBD
Evening screening of film, Gandhi
Political Histories and Institutions of Governance (January 23 – February 27)
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Jan 23
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 2 (pp. 13-xx)
Jan 28
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 3 (pp. xx-83)
Jan 30
Sunil Khilnani, Idea of India, Ch. 1 (pp. 15-60) (packet)
Feb 4
Yogendra Yadav, “Politics,” in India Briefing (pp. 3-38) (packet)
Feb 6
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 8-9 (pp. 151-180)
Feb 11
Farzana Shaikh, “Who is a Pakistani?” in Making Sense of Pakistan, Chap. 2 (pp. 4680)
Feb 1318
Stephen Cohen, The Idea of Pakistan, Chap. 2 (pp. 39 – 96) (packet)
Feb 20
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 14 (pp. 245 – 261)
Feb 25
Willem van Schendel, A History of Bangladesh, Chap. 16-17, 19 (pp. 161 – 182, 193
– 218)
Feb 27
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 15 (pp. 262 – 276)
Optional: Philip Oldenburg, “‘A Place Insufficiently Imagined’: Language, Belief,
and the Pakistan Crisis of 1971” (packet)
R/D paper due
Mar 4: MIDTERM EXAM
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Social Cleavages and Hierarchies in India and Pakistan (March 6 – 13)
India
Mar 6
E. Annamalai, “Politics of Language in India,” pp. 213-231 (packet)
Mar 11
Oliver Mendelsohn and Marika Vicziany, The Untouchables: Subordination, Poverty
and the State in Modern India, Ch. 1 (packet)
Myron Weiner, “The Struggle for Equality: Caste in Indian Politics” (packet)
Pakistan
Mar 13
Stephen Cohen, Idea of Pakistan, Ch. 6 (packet)
R/D paper due
Optional: Anita M. Weiss, “Some Progress, Sobering Challenges” (packet)
How is Democracy Practiced in South Asia? (March 25 – April 15)
India
Mar 25
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 4 (pp. 89-117)
Jyotirindra Dasgupta, “India’s Federal Design and Multicultural National
Construction” (packet)
Mar 27
Research proposal
due
Mukulika Banerjee, “Sacred Elections” (packet)
Anirudh Krishna, “Politics in the Middle: Mediating Relationships Between the
Citizens and the State in Rural North India” (pp. 141 – 158) (packet)
Recommended: Arild Engelsen Ruud, “Talking Dirty About Politics: A View from a
Bengali Village” (packet)
Apr 3
Niraja Gopal Jayal, “The Role of Civil Society” (pp. 143-160) (packet)
R/D paper due
Dipesh Chakrabarty, “In the Name of Politics”: Democracy and the Power of the
Multitude in India” (read pp. 35-40; remainder is optional)
Lisa Mitchell, “To Stop Train Pull Chain’: Writing histories of contemporary
political practice” (read pp. 469-478; remainder is optional)
Bangladesh
TBD
Evening screening of film, In Search of Gandhi
Apr 8
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 16 (pp. 277 – 298)
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Nizam Ahmed, “From Monopoly to Competition: Party Politics in the Bangladesh
Parliament (1973-2001)” (packet)
Apr 10
Rehman Sobhan, “Structural Dimensions of Malgovernance in Bangladesh”
(packet)
Apr 15
Arild Engelsen Ruud, “Democracy in Bangladesh: A Village View” (pp. 45-68)
(packet)
R/D paper due
Elora Shehabuddin, “Jamaat-i-Islami in Bangladesh: Women, Democracy and the
Transformation of Islamist Politics” (pp. 577-603) (packet)
Recommended: Shapan Adnan, “Departures from Everyday Resistance and
Flexible Strategies of Domination: The Making and Unmaking of a Poor Peasant
Mobilization in Bangladesh” (pp.183-224) (packet)
Why Has Pakistan Struggled to Maintain Democracy? (April 17 – 24)
Pakistan
Apr 17
Oberst et al., GPSA, Chap. 10 (pp. 181-202)
Apr 22
S. Akbar Zaidi, “State, Military and Social Transition: Improbable Future of
Democracy in Pakistan” (packet)
Charles Kennedy, “Constitutional and Political Change in Pakistan: The MilitaryGovernance Paradigm” (packet)
Apr 24
S. Akbar Zaidi, “An Emerging Civil Society?” (packet)
R/D paper due
Zahid Shahab Ahmed and Maria J. Stephan, “Fighting for the rule of law: Civil
resistance and the lawyers’ movement in Pakistan” (packet)
TBD
Evening screening of film, Dinner with the President
Apr 29
Concluding discussion
Term paper due
May 6, 2:00pm: FINAL EXAM
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