南亚社会文化导论

South Asia is the region that includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldive and Sri Lanka. It is one of the world’s culturally diverse and most densely populated regions. The course introduces students to some core topics in the anthropology of South Asia, such as the study of caste and class, different rituals, cuisines, kinship, South Asian religion (Hinduism, Islam and Christianity), etc. South Asia provides rich material to learn about colonialism, nation-building, interethnic relations, and Asian connections, including China (especially recent one as Belt and Road Initiative). It gives students a chance to explore not only the historical similarities among people but also the current differences, diversity, and disparities that make up this as one of the most complex regions in the world. Using a rich body of anthropological research on South Asia, this course will examine several of these topics and more in this course through lectures, section discussion, readings and ethnographic films.