Negotiating Caste, Religion, and Gender A Socio Cultural perspective of Indian Nationalism Spring 2007 Course Description : This

s course is designed to give an overview of Indian Politics, involving Caste, religion, and gender, with particular reference to Tamil Nadu. Two independent research assignments will be given. Course requirements : Attendance, participation and reading the course materials : 20% of the grade 4 reflection papers on given topics related to the readings and your home stay experience. Each reflection paper will be of 2 pages in length, typed in Times of Roman Font, 12, double spaced. These will be 40% of the grade. Term Paper : 10 to 12 pages on suggested topics. This term paper must involve your research, readings, and home stay experience. Term Paper topics will be on the themes of class discussions. Term paper will be 40% of the grade. Course Instructor : Dr.Vidya, has a Masters degree in Peace Making and conflict resolution from Madurai Kamaraj University. She received another Masters Degree in Peace Studies and International relations, from University of Notre Dame. Completed her PH.D in 2002, and was awarded Doctorate from Madurai Kamaraj University. Her PH.D is on Peace Education in primary schools. She has worked as an academic advisor for many study abroad programmes and as a consultant for local NGOs. 16th January 2007 1:30 3:15 Class 1 Theme : Colonial influence. Introduction, Course description and objectives Some historical references, and the major transition periods in Tamil Nadu 18th January 2007 10:30 AM - 12:15 PM Classes 2 and Theme : Core and Peripheries of the Aryan and Dravidian system Inden, Ronald, B. 2000. Imagining India. Pages 131 161. M.N.Srinivas, 2002. Collected Essays. Pages 166-199. Varna and Caste C.J.Fuller, 1996. Caste Today. Caste in Contemporary India. Andre Betelle, Pages 150 - 179 23 January 2007 1:30 PM to 3:15 PM Classes 3: Theme : Caste and Class : Defining the others M.N.Srinivas. 2002. Collected Essays. Pages 166-199 A Note on Sanskritization and Westernization. Mobility in the Caste System. Kakar, Sudhir. 1995. Colours of Violence. A New Hindu Identity pages 183-217 25th January 2007 10:30 AM 12:15 PM Class 4 . Theme : Caste and Class ; Defining the others Chris Fuller, 1996. Caste Today. Robert Delieges article At the Threshold of untouchability: Pallars and Valaiyars in a Tamil Village.

29th January 2007 1:30 PM to 3:15 PM Class 5 Theme : Religion and caste hegemony (a) Folk and regional castes Joanne Punzo Waghorhe. 2004. Diaspora of the Gods. The Gentrification of the Goddess 1 February 2007 10:30 AM 12:15 PM Class 6 Theme : Religion and Caste hegemony Hindu Nationalism and pan Indian castes J.E.Llewellyn, 2005. Defining Hinduism. A reader edited by Llewellyn. Robert Eric Frykenberg article on Construction of Hinudism at the Nexus of History and Religion. Kakar, Sudhir. 1995. Colours of violence. A New Hindu Idenity pages 183-217 2 February 2007 10:30 AM 12:15 PM Class 7 Theme : Indian political Structure : Reservation Jenkins, Laura. 2003. Identity and identification. Caste Certificates and Lists pp. 6788 Sen, Amartya. 2005. The Argumentative Indian. Chapter.10.Class in India. Pp.204219 12 February 2007 1:30 PM 3:15 PM Class 8 Theme : Gender Parity, and womens uplift in Tamil Nadu Rege, Sharmila. 2004. Sociology of Gender. The Challenge of Feminist Sociological knowledge. Sage Publications. Pages 287 317 Murthy, Ranjani, K. 2005. Building Womens Capacities. Interventions in Gender Transformation. Sage Publications. Page. 212 -225 Chakravarthi. Uma. 2003. Gendering Caste, Through a Feminist Lens. Stree Publishers. Pages : 25-36 and 138-173. Kapadia, Karin. 2004. The Violence of Development. The politics of Identiy, Gender and Social inequalities in India. Pages 69 141 (for statistical references) 15 February 2007 10:30 AM 12:15 PM Class 9 Gender Parity, and womens uplift in Tamil Nadu Rege, Sharmila. 2004. Sociology of Gender. The Challenge of Feminist Sociological knowledge. Sage Publications. Pages 287 317 Murthy, Ranjani, K. 2005. Building Womens Capacities. Interventions in Gender Transformation. Sage Publications. Page. 212 -225 Chakravarthi. Uma. 2003. Gendering Caste, Through a Feminist Lens. Stree Publishers. Pages : 25-36 and 138-173. Kapadia, Karin. 2004. The Violence of Development. The politics of Identiy, Gender and Social inequalities in India. Pages 69 141 (for statistical references)

16th February 2007 1:30 PM to 3:15 PM Class 10 Theme : Dravidian movement (in Tamil Nadu) and caste complexity The politics of power matrix S.Viswanathan, 2004. Dalits in Dravidian land. Frontline reports on Anti-Dalit Violence in Tamil Nadu : Pages : 101 109 19 February 2007 1:30 PM 3:15 PM Class 11 Theme : Religious conversion Robibson, Rowena. 2003. Christians of India. Sage Publications. Pages. 013 138. Fuller, Chris. Caste Today. 1996. Frank S.Fanslows article The Disinvention of Caste among Tamil Muslims Pages 202 226. 22 February 2007 10:30 AM 12:15 PM Class 12 Theme : Nationalism and regionalism Impact of globalization Sen, Amartya. 2006. Identity and violence. Globalization and voice. Jenkins, Laura. 2003. Identity and identification. Chapter on Hindu Nationalism and Selective inclusion. 23 February 2007 1:30 PM to 3:15 PM Class 13 Theme : Issues of the Marginalized Issues of the Marginalized. Illaiah, kancha. 1996. why I am not a Hindu. Pages 1-35. Imayam, 2001. Beasts of Burden (Translated Novel) Chapter 1. 26 February 2007 1:30 PM to 3:15 PM Class 14 Theme : Issues of the Marginalized and the politics of power Matrix Politics of Power Matrix Ray, Raka. 2002. Social Movements in India. Poverty, power and politics. Pages 134 161 Srinivas, M.N. 2002. Collected Essays. Nation Building in Independent India. Pages 389 413 Dirks, Nicholas, B. 2002. Nicholas Dirks. Castes of Mind. Pages 275 - 296