Penn-in-India 2006

[sgambhir at SAS.UPENN.EDU]

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NO ONE SHOULD GRADUATE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING WITHOUT GOING
THROUGH THE STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE.

Penn-in-India Summer 2006

Based in Pune, Penn-in-India provides students with a unique opportunity to
examine the cultural, socio-economic and political issues of contemporary
Indian life through academic study and personal cultural experiences. The
six-week program offers courses that survey India as a cultural, political and
geographic unity; examine classical traditions of Indian music and dance; and
discuss issues of health and society in South Asia.

All students take SAST 003 (The Idea of India) plus one of the other two courses
offered, with the option of studying an Indian language.  Classes combine
fieldwork in the Pune community with trips outside the city. Upon course
completion, students may participate in a community project or complete an
internship with an Indian corporation, museum, or hospital. To maximize this
distinctive cultural experience, students live with Indian families.

A major seat of learning, Pune attracts internationally renowned scholars from
around the globe. The city is home to some of India’s most prestigious
educational institutions, including the University of Pune, Deccan College,
Fergusson College, The Film and Television Institute and The Center for
Development of Advanced Computing. Research institutes such as the Bhandarkar
Oriental Research Institute and others involved in research in Ayurveda (a
traditional Indian medicinal system) are also located in Pune.

Pune’s rich artistic and intellectual life, and its emergence as one of India’s
most dynamic centers for new small and mid-size industry, make it the
cosmopolitan city of choice for Indians and foreigners alike. With a population
approaching 4 million, Pune is situated on the Deccan plateau, just 120 miles
southeast of Bombay, enjoying a delightful climate. Once the seat of the mighty
Maratha empire and the summer residence of the Bombay colonial government, the
city blends ancient culture and modern amenities.  Though linked by air to
Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore and other major cities, Pune is best reached by fast
train from Bombay via the scenic climb up the Western Ghats, the coastal
mountain range.


Curriculum

Students will register for SAST 003 and one additional course.

SAST 003:  The Idea of India
Fulfills Penn's general requirement in History and Tradition.
This course is a broad survey of various perspectives on what constitutes
"India" as a cultural, political, and geographic entity from the earliest
period of record to the contemporary period. A straightforward chronology moves
through significant articulations of "India" throughout history as we seek to
understand India in terms of geography, culture, religion, society, gender,
nationalism and globalization.  In each case, we will relate the past to
contemporary India.  This survey proceeds amid debates over the Indus Valley
civilization; the "Golden" ages of Atoka and the Guptas; Mughal India;
devotionalism and religion; the legacy of Shivaji; colonial formulations of
India as part of the "Orient" and a "Jewel in the Crown"; the "Two-Nations"
theory; the competing visions of Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah; Hindu Right
nationalism; the Cold War and non-alliance; and the embrace of India as part of
a global economic and cultural community. Students will conduct weekly
interviews with their host families, friends, and others, and complete a final
ethnography by exploring some subculture of Pune. This is an entry-level survey
course in Indian culture and hence there are no prerequisites. (1 CU)

SAST 265/MUSC 165: Performing Arts in South Asia
Fulfills Distribution Requirement III: Arts & Letters.
This course surveys the classical traditions of music (vocal and instrumental)
and dance (classical and folk) prevalent in India today. Special features of
this course include numerous guest performers from across Pune's artistic
spectrum, as well as field trips to performances in the city and to the studios
and homes of well-known artists. To take advantage of the resources in the Pune
area, special emphasis will be given to the Hindustani (north Indian)
tradition. Class lectures, reading assignments, and discussions will introduce
the basic forms and structures of music and dance, and explore the cultural and
historical contexts of performing arts in South Asia. Outside of class hours,
each student will also take lessons in vocal or instrumental music or dance.
Grading will be based on assignments, classroom participation, fieldwork, a
classroom presentation, a research paper, and a detailed journal of field
activities and observations. The course pays special attention to issues of
religion, class, caste, and gender as they pertain to India's performing arts.
(1CU)


SAST 335/HSOC 305: Health & Society in South Asia
Fulfills Distribution Requirement I: Society
This course discusses the health needs and aspirations of communities, and the
interactions between different health systems, both traditional and Western.
Health will be discussed not only as a bio-medical phenomenon but also as a
bio-psycho-socio-cultural one as it relates to Indian society. The course will
include field observations and interactions with government-sponsored programs
and NGOs that work on community health issues. The impact of public health
issues such as gender inequality, medical education, pharmaceutical industry
initiatives, and the WHO Primary Health Care approach for community development
will be evaluated. After an overview of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Naturopathy,
and Yoga, students will focus on either a traditional practice or the
application of modern public health initiatives in rural India. The readings
and discussions will probe historical and current holistic concepts of body and
physiology encompassing mind and intellect, senses and soul, nutrition and diet,
and cultural lifestyles. Students will perform in-depth fieldwork and will
contribute their field experiences to classroom discussions. Grading will be
based on assignments, classroom participation, fieldwork, a classroom
presentation, a research proposal, and a detailed journal of field activities
and observations. (1 CU)

Note for non-Penn students:  One CU is generally considered to be equivalent to
three semester hours in cases in which Penn coursework is transferred to
another institution.

Language Instruction

With a minimum enrollment of two, the program will arrange for instruction in
any major Indian language through computer software and local tutors. Students
will be encouraged to acquire verbal and written skills related to their
social, cultural and educational experiences.

Internship

Upon completion of courses, students may plan for an internship with an Indian
organization (corporation, research institute, self-help group, hospital, etc.)
for a few weeks. The program director and the local PII staff in Pune will
provide information and assistance for arranging such assignments.

Faculty

Dr. Surendra Gambhir, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Christian Lee Novetzke, South Asia Studies and Religious Studies, University
of Pennsylvania
Instructors from the University of Pune

Financial Information

Tuition                    $5,100 est.
Program Fee                $2,310 est.
Program fee covers discounted international round-trip travel between New York
and Pune, local travel for field trips, room and board, tickets for cultural
programs, language instruction, and most course materials.  All prices listed
above are estimates and are subject to change.


William A. Levi Travel Fellowship

University of Pennsylvania undergraduates who currently receive financial aid
should inquire about travel funds through the William A. Levi Travel
Fellowship. The application deadline for this fellowship is March 1, 2006.
Please contact the Penn Summer Abroad office for information and application
forms.


Application Deadline and Contact Information

The application deadline is March 1, 2006.  For an application, admission and
registration information contact:
Penn Summer Abroad
College of General Studies
University of Pennsylvania
3440 Market Street, Suite 100
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3335
(215) 746-6900
E-mail:  summerabroad at sas.upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/summer/abroad

For academic and program information contact:
Dr. Surendra Gambhir, Director
Penn-in-India Program
South Asia Studies
University of Pennsylvania
820 Williams Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305
Phone: (215) 898-7475 FAX: (215) 573-2138
Email: sgambhir at sas.upenn.edu