The ISP curriculum is designed to be attractive to North American students while offering a variety of perspectives and windows on India and building on the BACAS's academic strengths. Building on two core courses, each BACAS academic department designed a course that could be offered each semester specifically for the ISP program. These courses are designed to offer a comprehensive view of the Indian context, have academic credibility and relate to students' major areas of study on the home campus at least as elective courses. The BACAS faculty have also outlined and integrated service opportunities and travel components for each course and across all courses, including a two week travel component at the end of the semester.
CORE COURSES (Required for all students)
All ISP students will enroll in the following two core courses:
Contemporary India: Culture, Society and Challenges (4 credits)
An overview of India's history, development and emergence as a global partner, examining its people, cultures and social fabric with an introduction to local and national languages. The course will include lectures, seminars, local, regional and national travel, family and community actives and service-learning opportunities. The course is designed to provide an integrating context and foundation for the entire semester. Course will be supervised and coordinated by the ISP director assisted by an Indian professor of history and culture and other guest lecturers.
Contemporay India: Culture, Society and Challenges Syllabus
India's Religious Landscape (3 credits)
This course will provide an introduction and comparative study of the major religious traditions and influences in Indian society and culture. Through readings, lectures, excursions, conversations with local students and families, and participation in various service outreach projects, students will engage with persons from India diverse religious traditions. Students will also examine the challenges and opportunities for expressing a Christian world and life view in a religiously diverse culture. The ISP director will work with a local Indian professor with theological training to organize and present this course and related community experiences and excursions. India's Religious Lanscape Syllabus
ELECTIVE COURSES (select three)
Students will choose any three of the following 3-credit options. These courses, designed and prepared by each department, will involve BACAS students in course assignments, excursions and discussions.
Indian Society & Social Work Intervention (3 credits)
A course designed for social work, community development, missions and social science majors exploring the key dimensions of Indian society and related social problems and challenges (past and present). Within this context students will explore the social work profession and methods of practice in India. Throughout the course students will interact with local social work students and participate in a variety of field work and research projects. Indian Society and Social Work Intervention Syllabus
Indian Literature (3 credits)
A survey course examining 5 major streams of Indian literature including works written in English and in translation from tradition and contemporary India dialects. Students will read and examine works of poetry (Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore); prose (M.K.Gandhi's Shyness my Shield); a variety of short stories (The Tiger in the Tunnel by Ruskin Bond) and longer works of fiction (The Dark Holds No Terror, by Shashi Deshpande); and drama (Aurangzeb, by Indira Parthasarathy). Indian Literature Syllabus
Indian Design: Traditional Costumes and Textiles (3 credits)
This course is designed to help students explore the relationship of cultural traditions and customs and everyday life as expressed in design, clothing and other forms of decoration and adornment. Students will examine the cultural significance of designs and costumes from each of the major regions in India. In addition students will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about design and production of articles of clothing and explore the inside story of India's fashion and textile industry. Indian Design: Traditional Costumes and Textiles Syllabus
Indian Fine Arts (3 credits)
This study of Indian art aims to provide a basic introduction to the fine arts of India in all of their multi-faceted forms, primarily focusing on two-dimensional visual arts (e.g., painting and drawing), three-dimensional visual arts, (e.g., sculpture and architecture), performing arts (music, dance, and theater), and film. Each of these areas of art will be examined in turn, with lectures covering important examples of each type of art; history of the form in Indian society; and cultural and sociological significance of the various art forms both historically and today. The course is designed to help students achieve an understanding of Indian art and to look upon it aesthetically in relation to the culture and ideological concepts of this diverse and highly ritualistic civilization. The course will conclude with a discussion-based unit focused on examining the various socially-significant places in which Indian art has made itself prominent today and discussing the relevance of Indian art in an increasingly homogenized global culture. Indian Fine Arts Syllabus
Culinary Dimensions of Culture: Indian Cuisine, Traditions and Festivals (3 credits)
An introduction to Indian cuisine and a study of the expression of cultural, religious and social values expressed through diet, food preparation, presentation and related customs and traditions. Students will learn some basics of food preparation and will sample a variety of cuisines from across India. The course will also explore dietary beliefs and practices common across India as well as the historical traditions and influences that have shaped Indian cooking. Culinary Dimensions of Culture: Indian Cuisine, Traditions and Festivals Syllabus
Current Perspective of Business in India (3 credits)
An international business course focusing on marketing and management practices in India and its relationship to the global economy. Students will also examine the evolution of retailing in the Indian market and the role of entrepreneurship in economic development and the global economy. Similarities and differences in Indian business practices, culture and perspectives in comparison with western/US practices will be explored and analyzed. Current Perspective of Business in India Syllabus
Field Experience & Internship (3 credits)
Students in education, social work, business, communication and design with appropriate background or course work can complete an individually designed 90 hour supervised field based internship or practicum. Students, in consultation with the ISP director and BACAS faculty, will develop a learning contract for onsite experience working in a local school, agency, business, microfinance project or related setting. The learning contract will include learning outcome goals, specific on site activities and responsibilities and opportunities for reflection and supervisor feedback. If desired these learning contracts could be designed in conjunction with faculty from the student's home campus. Field Experience and Internship Syllabus
