HI6049 - Modern India: Making the World’s Biggest Democracy

The basic structure of the module involves one lecture and one seminar per week – c.90 minutes each. The lectures explore the core themes of the module, and are organised both chronologically and thematically, providing you with essential introductions to the study of modern India. Each lecture will also involve watching a short film/video source. Preparation for the seminars will involve attending the lectures and reading two short sources, which are made available electronically via our online reading lists

It is not expected that you will have any background in the history of India, and therefore the lectures and readings on the module will provide the necessary introductions to the material. As with all modules, students are expected to engage with secondary source material: this will include different historical approaches but also explore a variety of other disciplines (especially political studies, sociology and anthropology). You will prepare for the seminars by undertaking secondary readings and looking a primary source material, in order to participate in discussions and group work.

All learning materials, tasks, and readings will be posted on Blackboard to enable participation in the seminar programme. The Blackboard site will also contain a wide range of supplementary material provided by the Module Leader, such as videos, articles, and relevant websites. In addition to the reading list, the module is accompanied by a film series that explores a range of the periods and themes that come up in the module.

You will engage with a wide range of primary source material on the module, including images, films, archival documents, oral histories and much more. This material will be provided in seminars and online, through the Blackboard site.

Your academic development will be supported through your module tutor, engagement with your peers, and through the programme leader. The module tutor will be accessible within publicised Feedback and Consultation hours and via email. Support is also provided through group and individual tutorials, providing the opportunity for addressing specific issues and keeping track of progress. Your peers will provide you with a collaborative learning environment, and your programme leader will guide you through the requirements and expectations of your degree programme more broadly. Support will also be provided via threads on the module’s Blackboard Discussion Board. You will also be supported through individual engagement with the academic literature, lectures, and resources available on the eLP. Formative feedback will be on-going through seminar activities and assessment tasks.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of important themes and topics in the history of postcolonial India.
• Acquire understanding of key texts, debates, and concepts in the field of modern Indian history (and related fields).

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Develop a range of skills, including the ability to make independent critical judgements, to critically analyse and interpret historical material, to evaluate and summarise the research of others, to present arguments in a cogent and persuasive way, and to understand contemporary debates around postcolonial history and politics.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Develop awareness and sensitivity of the postcolonial society, culture and politics of South Asia.
• Demonstrate an intersectional understanding of Indian history, across gender, caste, class, religion, and race.

There are two summative assessments for this module:

2 x Essays – 3000 words each (50% of overall grade each)

These essays will allow you to acquire detailed subject knowledge and in-depth understanding of major historical issues, episodes and themes.

You will have the opportunity to present your ideas in the seminars and will receive formative feedback from your lecturer in classroom discussions, debates, and tutorial sessions. Formative assessment feedback will be written and through tutorials. Feedback on your first summative assessment will allow you to improve on subsequent coursework

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Nearly 1 in 5 people in the world live in India. In 1947 it underwent a dramatic transformation from being the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of the British Empire, to become the world’s biggest democracy. In this module you will learn how the postcolonial ‘Subcontinent’ came into being, starting with Mahatma Gandhi’s successful struggle for independence and going up to the present day. You will develop a broad understanding of India’s postcolonial politics, culture, economy and society. Using a diverse range of materials, you’ll analyse how India established itself as a postcolonial democratic republic amidst numerous obstacles, tensions and conflicts… many of which are ongoing and unresolved.

You won’t be expected to have any background in the history of India – the lectures and readings will provide the necessary introductions to the material. The first half of the module introduces you to the contemporary history of India through five key episodes, brought to life through film, photographs, political writings and other fascinating sources. These pivotal moments help us to understand key issues like Decolonisation, Secularism, Corruption and Liberalisation. The second half of the module explores six themes – Gender, Caste, Migration, Conflict, Communalism and Environment – enabling you to make sense of the ‘world’s largest democracy’ from a range of diverse perspectives.