Dhar India Studies Program

The Madhusudan and Kiran C. Dhar India Studies Program (INST)  provides  interdisciplinary study and critical analysis of the cultures and civilizations that have developed in South Asia and on the Indian subcontinent from ancient times to the present. The primary focus of the program is on present-day or modern South Asia, but in order to understand today’s dynamics, it is important to have some basic knowledge about the great periods in the history of India that have shaped its modern social, cultural, and political realities. This approach requires a sophisticated understanding of the country's highly developed arts, music, literature, drama, philosophy, religions, and social and political structures. In addition to providing an overall, comprehensive education about South Asian civilizations, the program allows for more specialized work in (a) literary and performance studies, (b) philosophical and religious studies, and (c) social, political, and historical studies. Additionally, the India Studies Program also offers elementary, intermediate, and advanced -level courses in several South Asian languages. All students in the program are encouraged to take language classes, as well as to consider study abroad in the region.