The purpose of the first and second year core course is to bring all students to a good level of proficiency in reading, writing, understanding, and speaking Hindi and Urdu, using both scripts. We recognize that different students have very different starting points on this journey; the course has been designed in a flexible way to accommodate these differences. The Flagship team works hard to ensure that each student has the support and instruction appropriate to his or her individual needs. The four teachers, with the help of teaching assistants, work in close collaboration to ensure that each student makes the maximum progress possible. The basic grammar of Hindi-Urdu is thoroughly reviewed, and detailed instruction in both writing systems is given. Our teaching materials include published grammars and course books, specially created video materials, film clips and film songs, and items taken from the media. In order to maintain our commitment to the ideals of the Flagship program, we expect all our students to regularly attend class meetings and related events. Class attendance is mandatory.
These are courses on South Asian content in which the study of particular subjects is aided by Hindi/Urdu materials. In this component and throughout the program, students have access to specially trained TAs, usually mother-tongue speakers of Hindi-Urdu, who play an important part in establishing an appropriate 'live' environment for language acquisition. Students are taught by members of various UT departments, working closely with HUF-Program’s director and associate directors in preparing the language components of the courses. The student’s participation in this chosen course follows the standard class pattern covering both theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline; but part of the coursework for Flagship students is based on Hindi materials, and study tasks include research on Hindi-medium data leading to essays written in Hindi. Hindi is not the primary object of study in the FACC; it is the medium through which the students’ learn and experience the selected subject matter. The detailed planning for this Hindi component is done by the professor in concert with the Flagship office, while the language-specific teaching and guidance (and some work in the selection of Hindi materials) is done by teaching assistants selected for their dual proficiency in the language and the discipline, working under the supervision of Flagship faculty.
This course will contribute to an introductory understanding of South Asia (Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan), which are a diverse geographic region accommodating more than one-fifth of humanity. Crossing the boundaries of the region¹s multiple histories, languages, and cultural, social, and religious traditions will enable us to explore the diverse identities extant in South Asia today. We will place particular emphasis on popular culture and everyday life in contemporary South Asia. After an introductory grounding in the history and critical study of South Asia, readings and lectures are focused on cultural topics including literature and film (especially Bollywood films, which have been phenomenally influential in the formation of Indian identities) and contemporary studies of South Asian life. Topics covered include: society, family, and gender issues; religious traditions; artistic and musical expressions; colonialism; nationalism; economy and politics; globalization; and the South Asian diaspora. Students in this class will benefit from occasional guest lecturers who are specialists in various topics related to the study of South Asia. Meets with ANT 310L and R S 312
The concept of culture; social and political organization; language, the supernatural; elementary cultural theory include cross-cultural content.