Rising India and South Asia
South Asia is the name of the area that includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Together, these countries make up almost a quarter of the world's population. South Asia is home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, and it is Gandhi's birthplace, home to yoga as well as Bollywood (the world's largest film industry), and a key center of global culture and trade. With one of the world's youngest populations, a growing middle class, and great economic growth, South Asia is an area with enormous economic potential. The area is playing an increasingly important role, creating great opportunities and jobs all over the world, and extensive knowledge of the area and knowledge of Hindi as the third most spoken language world-wide is a significant advantage for those who wish to study or work in the region or collaborate with partners there.
India and South Asia Studies – combining anthropology, history, political science and language (Hindi)
The program in India and South Asia Studies is built around an anthropological disciplinary core supplemented with historical and political science approaches as well as solid language skills. Using the India and South Asia region as a lens, students hone their cross-cultural competencies through the use of frameworks from anthropology and other related social sciences. They acquire extensive knowledge of India and South Asia and its social, cultural, political and economic conditions as well as the different—and changing—everyday patterns in the area. Although the education focuses on India, it also touches on regional similarities and social and political conditions in countries such as Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Students also learn to speak, read and write Hindi, which is the most widely spoken language in South Asia. Prior knowledge of Hindi is not a requirement.
The small teams allow for close collaboration between the teacher and the students as well as between the students. Both a theoretical and an applied approach are taken in the teaching, which alternates between lectures, discussions, practical exercises, reading group activities and student presentations.
A Semester in India – learning the third most spoken language of the world
Students spend a semester in India where they receive intensive instruction in Hindi, strengthen their intercultural communication and experience up close a globalized India, which is both a regional powerhouse and a developing country facing pressing challenges such as poverty, limited infrastructure and the pursuit of new goals.
Career Opportunities
Following a Bachelor's degree in India and South Asian Studies, it is recommended to study further in the Master's program in Global Area Studies. The training will enable you to leverage your area expertise on India and South Asia in a world of increased global interaction and growing interregional exchanges. It can give you job opportunities in companies and institutions that are active in India and South Asia, and you can work in areas such as communication and dissemination, development work, cultural exchange, and act as a translator between different cultures. You also have the opportunity to study further at a large number of other master's programs. In particular, the strong language base is an asset to further studies related to the anthropology or history of the South Asia region.
For more information see bachelor.au.dk/indienogsydasienstudier
