29 Jan 08

The new course will allow students to learn both about the achievements and problems of modern India.

A new MSc in Contemporary India has been launched by the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies in response to the growing interest in India and will be welcoming its first students in October 2008.

This new interdisciplinary programme will provide students with the opportunity to learn about both India’s achievements and persistent problems and will provide high-quality training in research methods and in the critical analysis theory in the main social science disciplines.

The degree is designed for students from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly the Social Sciences and History, but there is no requirement to to have studied India at undergraduate level. The course will provide stand-alone training for those wishing to specialise in India, either out of academic interest or as preparation for work in the private sector, international organisations, government, NGOs, multi-lateral and bi-lateral aid and development agencies and media organisations. The course will also serve as first stage preparation for subsequent doctoral research on India.

The Masters comprises two core courses: ‘Research Methodology’, and ‘Themes in Contemporary India’ which includes topics such as  India as a global and regional power; India’s democracy; the environment; energy and water; society and culture; the political economy, and human development. Students will also submit an extended essay on a critical treatment of theories, paradigms or mini-narratives. In the final term a dissertation of 10,000 words will be submitted on a topic of the student’s choice, subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee. The dissertation may form the basis for doctoral research for those students who wish to proceed to a DPhil degree.

Barbara Harris-White, Professor of Development Studies, said: 'India is a fascinating country to study: it is the largest democracy in the world, a regional superpower and has had great IT business success on the one hand, but there is political violence, widespread environmental degradation and human development failure on the other.’