South Asian Studies

Learning Goals

By majoring in South Asian Studies, students should:

• Develop knowledge of the history of premodern and modern South Asia. 
• Develop knowledge of the arts, literature, religions, and philosophies of South Asia. 
• Develop knowledge of the geography, politics, economics, and societies of South Asia. 

Faculty

This area of study is administered by the Asian Studies Committee:

Satyananda Gabriel, Professor of Economics

Rie Hachiyanagi, Professor of Art, On Leave 2021-2022

Sohail Hashmi, Professor of International Relations on the Alumnae Foundation and Professor of Politics

Kavita Khory, Ruth Lawson Professor of Politics; Carol Hoffmann Collins Director of the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives

Susanne Mrozik, Professor of Religion, Teaching Spring Only

Naoko Nemoto, Professor of Asian Studies

Joshua Roth, Professor of Anthropology

Ajay Sinha, Julie '73 and Helene '49 Herzig Professor of Art History, Teaching Spring Only

Ying Wang, Felicia Gressitt Bock Professor of Asian Studies

Elif Babul, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Teaching Fall Only

Calvin Chen, Associate Professor of Politics

Amina Steinfels, Associate Professor of Religion

Lan Wu, Assistant Professor of History

Lisha Xu, Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies

Heba Arafah, Five College Lecturer in Arabic

Jinhwa Chang, Lecturer in Japanese

Kyae-Sung Park, Five College Lecturer in Korean

Richard Chu, Five College Associate Professor of History

Mohamed Hassan, Five College Senior Lecturer in Arabic

May George, Five College Lecturer in Middle East Studies

Nahla Khalil, Five College Lecturer in Arabic

Suk Massey, Five College Lecturer in Korean

Shaimaa Moustafa, Five Colleage Lecturer in Arabic

Chan Young Park, Five College Lecturer in Korean

John Weinert, Five College Lecturer in Arabic

Requirements for the Major

A minimum of 40 credits:

Additional Specifications

• Any course that devotes 50 percent or more of its substance to South Asian countries, peoples, or issues may count toward the major.
• Majors are strongly encouraged, but not required, to pursue study of a South Asian classical or modern language through the Five College Mentored Language Program, summer study, or study abroad. Students may count up to 4 credits toward the major for studying a South Asian language through the Five College Mentored Language Program.
• One course (4 credits) on South Asian diasporas may count toward the major.
• Students who declare a South Asian studies major automatically fulfill the College's "outside the major" requirement.

Courses Counting toward the Major

Most South Asian studies courses at Mount Holyoke are listed below, but students should also consult the catalog entries or websites of other departments, including art history, history, international relations, politics, and religion. South Asian Studies majors should also plan to use the rich resources of the Five College Consortium in selecting their courses (listings are available through the Five College Class Schedule or individual college websites).

Please consult the chair of the Asian studies program for guidelines regarding Asian languages not taught in the Five Colleges.