Coordinator: Brendan LaRocque

South Asia, which contains nearly a quarter of the world’s people, refers to the countries comprising the South Asian subcontinent: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and sometimes Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Tibet.

The minor consists of a program of study combining language training, off-campus study, required core courses in various disciplines, and supporting courses, including a designated capstone course. The purpose of the minor is to provide cross-cultural interdisciplinary understanding of a complex civilization that is both ancient and modern, and of great significance in the contemporary world. 

Minor Requirements – 42 Total Credits

A total of 42 credits, with at least 6 credits drawn from each of the three ASST distribution areas (Literary/Artistic Analysis; Humanistic Inquiry; Social Inquiry)

Normally, at least one term of off-campus study in South Asia

Usually, the closest equivalent to one year of study of a South Asian language, obtained through one or more of the following: off-campus study; summer programs at colleges, universities, or institutes; independent study at Carleton; native proficiency

Core Courses – Required 18 credits

Courses must be from at least two distribution areas.

Literary and Artistic Analysis

Humanistic Inquiry

  • HIST 161: From Mughals to Mahatma Gandhi: An Introduction to Modern Indian History
  • HIST 261: Partition Imagined: 1947 in Literature, Art & Film
  • HIST 262: Borders Drawn in Blood: The Partition of Modern India
  • HIST 269: Religion, Race & Caste in Modern India (not offered 2026-27)
  • HIST 270: Nuclear Nations: India and Pakistan as Rival Siblings
  • RELG 153: Introduction to Buddhism (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 155: Hinduism: An Introduction
  • RELG 237: Yoga: Religion, History, Practice (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 266: Modern Islamic Thought (not offered 2026-27)

Social Inquiry

  • ASST 127: Non-Violent Movements from Gandhi to Renee Good
  • RELG 237: Yoga: Religion, History, Practice (not offered 2026-27)
  • SOAN 257: Culture and Politics in India (not offered 2026-27)

Supporting Courses – Required 24 credits

Courses must be from at least two distribution areas.

Literary and Artistic Analysis

  • ASST 101.07: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: Elementary Hindi (26/FA)
  • ASST 101.17: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: Elementary Tibetan (26/FA)
  • ASST 103: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: Intermediate Hindi
  • ENGL 245: Bollywood Nation (not offered 2026-27)
  • ENGL 251: Contemporary Indian Fiction
  • MUSL 180: Raga: Vocal or Instrumental Study of Hindustani Music
  • MUSL 181: Sitar

Humanities

  • ASST 319: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: History of South Asian Buddhism
  • ASST 391.07: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: Independent Study Project (26/FA)
  • HIST 269: Religion, Race & Caste in Modern India (not offered 2026-27)
  • HIST 270: Nuclear Nations: India and Pakistan as Rival Siblings
  • PHIL 318: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: Buddhist Philosophy
  • RELG 122: Introduction to Islam (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 153: Introduction to Buddhism (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 155: Hinduism: An Introduction
  • RELG 237: Yoga: Religion, History, Practice (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 266: Modern Islamic Thought (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 280: The Politics of Sex in Asian Religion
  • RELG 289: Global Religions in Minnesota (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 359: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: Buddhist Meditation Traditions
  • RELG 362: Spirit Possession, Trance, Shamanism
  • RELG 365: Mysticism (not offered 2026-27)

Social Inquiry

  • ECON 240.01: Microeconomic Development in Bangladesh: Microeconomics of Development (26/FA)
  • ECON 241: Macroeconomic Growth and Development (not offered 2026-27)
  • POSC 120: Democracy and Dictatorship
  • POSC 241: Ethnic Conflict (not offered 2026-27)
  • POSC 378: Political Economy and Ecology of Southeast Asia Program: Social Changes in Southeast Asia (not offered 2026-27)
  • POSC 379: Political Economy and Ecology of Southeast Asia Program: Diversity of Social Ecological Systems in Southeast Asia (not offered 2026-27)
  • RELG 237: Yoga: Religion, History, Practice (not offered 2026-27)
  • SOAN 322: Buddhist Studies in India and Thailand Program: Contemporary Buddhist Culture

Senior Capstone Course

    Additional Departmental Notes

    Courses taken on off-campus programs in South Asia may be applied to the minor.

    Off Campus Studies