Department Website
Program Description
The minor in South Asian studies, which is administered by the Department of History, provides students with a broad comparative perspective on South Asia and the opportunity for greater concentration in a specific topic of interest or geographic locale. Students have many choices of courses and course combinations. They can choose, for example, to study a language and its literature, explore aspects of the colonial and postcolonial histories of South Asia, investigate the art and architecture of the region, explore contemporary political dynamics, analyze literary forms and cinema, or track the South Asian diaspora. The course of study encompasses a range of disciplines, including anthropology, art history, history, literature, political science, and two modern languages (Hindi and Urdu). Through a consortial exchange program with Columbia University, students may also study one of the region’s many modern or classical languages.
Minor Declaration
To request declaration of a minor, CAS students should visit the host department. To request declaration of a cross-school minor, CAS students should complete the online Minor Application available in their Albert Student Center. Students may also use the Minor Application in Albert to request cancellation of a CAS or cross-school minor.
Program Requirements
The minor requires the completion of 16 credits chosen in close consultation with the South Asian studies faculty adviser. Students must declare the minor and consult the adviser before completing their course requirements. Students can pursue three broad areas of concentration. See "Tracks" below for concentration details.
Course List
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| Total Credits | 16 |
Tracks
Track A: Language and Literature
This track provides students with a solid foundation in a modern Indian language. Students must complete a four-semester sequence in either Hindi or Urdu. These courses may also be used to satisfy the CAS foreign language requirement.
Track B: History, Culture, and Politics
This track fosters a broad interdisciplinary perspective on South Asia. All four courses must be non-language courses.
Track C: Culture and Language
Students must take two language courses at the intermediate level or advanced level, plus two non-language South Asian studies courses. The language courses may also be used to satisfy the CAS foreign language requirement.
Policies
Minor Policies
- All courses for the minor must be completed with a grade of C or better (Pass/Fail does not count).
- One College Core Curriculum Cultures and Contexts course on South Asia may be counted toward the nonlanguage minor requirement (in tracks B and C).
- The South Asian studies faculty adviser determines the eligibility of courses taught by NYU South Asian faculty which are not currently on the minor course list.
- One course taken in a study away program can be counted, with the faculty adviser’s approval, after examining the syllabus and other documents related to that course, which students must provide.
- For students who matriculate in CAS as freshmen, at least three of the four courses must be completed at NYU. Transfer students may be allowed to count up to two transfer courses toward the minor (upon review and approval of the faculty adviser); they must always complete two courses for the minor at NYU.
- With prior approval, one independent study course can count toward the minor.
- One course can automatically double count for the South Asian minor and another major/minor, and two courses may be considered by student petition. Other majors and minors may have stricter policies on double counting of courses; students must check with their other departments.
- The minor does not satisfy either Societies and the Social Sciences or Expressive Culture in the College Core Curriculum.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Arts and Science Policies
A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.