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Political Science 455
The People, Politics and Culture of South Asia (South Asian Politics)
Spring 2015
TR 9:40 – 10:55 am
T 1006 (McClung Tower)
Lecturer: Sambuddha Ghatak
Office: 1013 McClung Tower
Tele: (865) 974-2166
E-mail: sghatak@vols.utk.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10.00 am – 11:00 am; or by appointment.
Course Description and Purpose
This class is not designed to be solely an overview of the politics of South Asia, but rather a
multidisciplinary introduction to the history, culture, religions, geography, and major social and political
issues that affect the Indian subcontinent today. After successfully completing this class, you will be able
to understand the dynamics of the conflict between India and Pakistan, the intricacies of Sri Lankan,
Bangladeshi, and Maldivian politics, and why Bhutan is known as the “Land of the Thunder Dragons.”
This course will give you a greater understanding of the tremendous diversity of South Asia’s people, and
the depth of the development challenges they face. It is impossible to ignore the tremendous potential of
many South Asian countries when it comes to democratization, technology, and manufacturing.
This class will help you think about South Asia’s role in the lives of the average American.
South Asian-Americans are collectively the most economically successful subgroup within American
melting pot. Better understanding the dynamic role of the South Asian Diaspora both in the United States
as well as around the world is a key aspect of understanding South Asia’s economic success. South Asia
plays an important role in American business and foreign policy, as an ally in the war on al Qaeda, as a
counterweight to the rise of China, and as an outsourcing center for the planet.
University/College/Departmental Curricular Objectives Met
Political Science 455 fulfills an upper level distribution requirement for the Social Sciences and is
a Comparative Politics and Government course within the major. It is usually suggested, but not
necessarily required, that Political Science 102 be completed before taking PS 455. The class is
characterized as writing emphasis.
Program-Level Learning Objectives that the Course Supports
Students will learn about the characteristics of political power in South Asia with a primary
emphasis on sources of political power, development, and democratization.
Expectations
Active participation in this class is a crucial component to overall success and a good grade.
Students will be expected to regularly keep up-to-date on the major issues affecting South Asia and
the Global South as a whole. This information will play an important role in your success on class
exams and help you in achieving a good participation grade. Attendance is required, and more
than SIX unexcused absences will result in a lowered class grade. Attendance will be taken at
almost every class, and therefore coming to class late may result in your not being considered
“present.”
Required Textbooks
DeVotta, Neil. Understanding Contemporary India, 2010. (D)
Akbar, M.J. Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan, 2012. (A)
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Other required readings will be posted on Blackboard. The readings are subject to change by
instructor.
GRADING AND COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Class participation and attendance: 15%
(Attendance rate lower than 2/3 = at best “C+”, below ½ = “F”)
Four Critique papers: 20%
South Asia Geography Quiz 3%
Mid Term Exam 25%
Final Exam: 25%
Movie Critique: 12%
1. Class participation and attendance
15%
The quality of this seminar course depends on the efforts of the students to a great extent.
Students are expected to be prepared for class. This means that readings and assignments are complete
before the class begins and students are prepared to discuss the topics dealt with in the readings and
homework.
a) Participation: 2/3 of the participation grade will be computed as a proportion of the days students
attend the class meetings.
b) Reading summary: 1/3 of the participation grade will reflect students’ understanding of the topics in
the chapter/reading. During each class meeting, I will expect you to voluntarily contribute to the
discussion and will note the quantity and quality of your remarks.
2. South Asian Geography Quiz
3%
Attached to this syllabus is a map of South Asia with a list of major cities, capitals, and countries to
memorize. The quiz will ask you to identify and label the bodies of water, countries, cities, and capitals
on a blank map.
3. Four Critique papers
20%
In four different weeks, you should prepare an about four page critique of the week’s assigned article.
Critiques must be typed, double (or one and half) spaced, and in a font size no smaller than 11. Critiques
are due in class as directed below. Please bring a print copy. No hand written paper critique will be
accepted. I will evaluate your critiques for critical content. Works that merely summarize the
readings will receive poor marks. When writing your critique, keep in mind the following points: what
are the important claims made by the author? What has the author really shown? What are the strength
and weakness of the arguments? What are the possibilities for related research? What interesting
questions (at least three) we can ask to the author? Remember, these critiques are not intended to be ends
by themselves; they serve as beginning points for class discussion. I will not accept any critiques after the
deadline.
4. Mid Term Exam
25%
A mid-term examination will be given to assess your knowledge of course material covered during
lecture. It will be a take home exam.
5. Final Exam
25%
The final exam will cover chapters and articles covered after the midterm and may have similar format. It
will be a take home exam.
6. Movie Critique
13%
We will watch a movie related to one of the topics of our discussion. You will be asked to write an
assessment on the film with additional help of related literature provided by the instructor. The
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assessment will be 4 pages in length excluding the reference section. It must be typed, 11 or 12 point type,
and double spaced.
Your complete paper is due on April 24.
Grading scale
The following is the grading scale for the course:
93% - 100% = A, 90%-92% = A-, 87%-89% = B+, 83% - 86% = B, 80% - 82% =B-, 77% - 79% = C+,
73% - 76% =C, 70% - 72% =C, 67% - 69% = D+, 63% - 66% =D, 60% - 62% =D-, 0% - 59% = F.
Recommended Websites
Afghanistan:
http://www.aopnews.com/today.html
Bangladesh:
www.bangladesh-web.com
Bhutan:
www.kuenselonline.com/
Britain:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world/asia/
India:
www.hindustantimes.com
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/international-home
www.ndtv.com
Maldives:
www.topix.net/world/maldives
Nepal:
www.nepalnews.net
Pakistan:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/
Sri Lanka:
www.infolanka.com/news
United States:
www.nytimes.com, www.cnn.com, www.wsj.com
(Kabul)
(Dhaka)
(Thimphu)
(London)
(New Delhi)
(New Delhi)
(New Delhi)
(Male)
(Katmandu)
(Karachi)
(Colombo)
Course Schedule and Reading Assignments
January 8: Introduction to the Class and Expectations
January 13: South Asia and the World
 Ganguly, Sumit and Neil DeVotta (GD) xv-21; 23-30
 M.J. Akbar (MA) ix to 15
January 15: Early Histories and Civilization in South Asia
 GD 31-51
 MA 16-46
***Quiz on the Geography of South Asia***
January 20: The Role of Religion in South Asia
 GD 209-248
January 22: The Role of Caste in Indian Society
 GD 249-267
 Sambuddha Ghatak and E. Ike Udogu, “Human Rights Issues of Minorities in
Contemporary India: A Concise Analysis,” Journal of Third World Studies, Vol. XXIX,
No. 1 (Spring 2012): 203-230.
January 27: British Colonialism in South Asia
 GD 51-58
 MA 48-74
**Paper critique of Ghatak and Udogu (2012) due in class**
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January 29: Pakistan’s Emergent Self Identity
 MA 75-140
February 3: Nationalist Movements and the Rise of Gandhi
 GD 58-65
 MA 141-165
February 5: Indian Politics from Independence to the Present
GD 67-84
February 10: Indian Politics, Continued
GD 84-94
February 12: Women and Development in South Asia
 GD 181-208
 Sambuddha Ghatak, “Gender Marginalization: A Discourse on the Status of Women in
South Asia,” in E. Ike Udogu (ed.), The Developing World: Critical Issues in Politics and
Society, Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press/Rowman and Littlefield Group (2012): 69-93.
(Book Chapter)
February 17: Pakistani Politics from Independence to Bangladesh’s Independence
 MA 166-216
**Paper critique Ghatak (2012) due in class**
February 19: Pakistani Politics, Continued
 MA: 217-232
February 24: Pakistani Politics…(continued)
Midterm Due on February 24
February 26: The Politics of Bhutan and Nepal
 Reading to be assigned
March 3: The Politics of Sri Lanka
 Imtiyaz, A.R.M. and Ben Stavis. 2008. “Ethno-Political Conflict in Sri Lanka.” Journal of
Third World Studies, 25(2): 135-152.
March 5: International Relations of India
 GD 95-122
March 10: Governance, Corruption and Bangladesh as the Original “Basketcase”
 Reading to be assigned
**Paper critique Imtiyaz and Stavis (2008) due in class**
March 12: The Godfather (Bhutto) and The General (Zia)
 MA 233-270
March 24: The Long Jihad and the Rise of Political Islam in Pakistani Politics
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
MA 271-287
March 26: The Mujahideen versus the Soviets and the Rise of the Taliban
 MA 288-313
March 31: Nuclear Arms in South Asia and the Future of Pakistan
 MA 314-346
April 2: The Taliban, the US Intervention in Afghanistan and the Way Forward
April 7: South Asian Food (Discussion)
Lunch at Sitar Indian Restaurant at 12 noon
[6004 Kingston Pike/East of Northshore Intersection]
April 9: The Political Economy of South Asia
 GD 123-151
April 14: Conflict in South Asia and the United States’ Role (Kashmir Issue, nuclear weapons and
others)
 Reading to be assigned
 S. Paul Kapur. 2005. India and Pakistan Unstable Peace, International Security, Volume 30,
Number 2, pp. 127-152
**Paper critique Kapur (2005) due in class**
April 16: Conflict in South Asia and the US Role (continued…)
 Reading to be assigned
April 21: The Environmental Crisis in South Asia
 GD 164-179
April 23: The Political Issue of Outsourcing; Population Pressure and Urbanization in South Asia
 GD 153-164
Final grades and appeals
Once final grades are submitted, I will not change grades unless your grade has been
miscomputed – although you may seek an appeal (but not through me) if you disagree with your
final grade for any other reason. It is entirely your responsibility to keep up with graded
assignments and exams. In the event that you believe I have miscomputed your final grade,
these assignments will serve as the only acceptable evidence in support of your grade claim.
If at the end if the semester you believe that your final grade is incorrect, do not bother
contacting me about it unless you have all of your graded assignments.
POLICIES, EXPECTATIONS, ETC.
Attendance and Missed Assignments
Students are expected to attend all lectures. Important information is disseminated during these
times (e.g., lectures, syllabus corrections, upcoming opportunities, changes in due/exam dates,
etc.). It is entirely your responsibility to be aware of the information shared during these times.
In other words, if you are absent, the instructor will not be under any obligation to compensate
you for your ignorance of the matters discussed. We will not share lecture notes, repeat/discuss
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the missed material for you during office hours, nor will we accept late homework or give you a
makeup exam should you miss an exam because you were absent on the day changes were
announced.
If you miss an exam or you are absent on a day in which a homework assignment is due, a
makeup exam or assignment will not be accepted unless you have a documented excuse. If you
have an unfortunate and unanticipated experience that has precluded your ability to attend the
class, you must contact me as soon as possible to discuss the nature of the documentation
required. Failure to satisfy the requirements within one week of the missed assignment/exam
will result in a 0 for the exam or homework assignment.
Plagiarism and the Honor Statement
Academic dishonesty/plagiarism is commonly defined as passing off someone else’s words,
writings, ideas, etc. as one’s own. Plagiarism is tantamount to lying and stealing. In order to
avoid plagiarism, properly credit material drawn from other sources. Rules against cheating
apply to homework, papers, and attendance sign-in as well as tests.
If you plagiarize, you will fail this course and suffer other penalties. You must agree to abide by
the UT honor statement:
“An essential feature of the University of Tennessee is a commitment to maintaining an
atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty. As a student of the University, I
pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic
work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity.”
For more information, see http://web.utk.edu/~homepage/hilltopics/HILLTOPICS200506.pdf#page=11.
American with Disabilities Act Statement
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires, among other things, that all students with
disabilities be afforded a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of
their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability that requires accommodation, you must
contact the Office of Disability Services. For more information, see
http://ods.utk.edu/index.html.
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Place Names for South Asian Geography Quiz
Afghanistan
Kabul +
Qandahar
Bangladesh
Dhaka+
Chittagong
+ (denotes capital city)
*The BJP government changed the
names of several major Indian cities
in the 1990s. The old names are
in parentheses and the new
names are listed on your map.
Bhutan
Thimphu+
India*
Ahmedabad
Mumbai
(Bombay)
Bangalore
Chennai
(Madras)
Hyderabad
Kolkata (Calcutta)
New Delhi+
Srinagar
Varanasi
Maldives
Male+
Pakistan
Islamabad+
Karachi
Peshawar
Quetta
Sri Lanka
Colombo+
Nepal
Kathmandu+
Bodies of Water
Gulf of Oman
Arabian Sea
Bay of Bengal
For the quiz you will be given a blank
map on which you will label and spell
the twenty cities, countries or bodies
of water called out by the instructor.