South Asian Studies explores various countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The minor includes language training, off-campus study, and courses drawn from several disciplines. Our goal is to understand this complex and significant region in both ancient and modern terms.
About South Asian Studies
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, Maldives, 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.
Requirements for the South Asian Studies Minor
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
- ENGL 251: Contemporary Indian Fiction
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
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
- ENGL 251: Contemporary Indian Fiction
Additional Departmental Notes
Courses taken on off-campus programs in South Asia may be applied to the minor.