Social History of Modern and Contemporary India A

Course objectives

This course proposes to problematise social changes in India and provide knowledge about how social roles were constructed, modified, transformed and maintained since the nineteenth century till present times. Specific aims The course will enable the student acquire the following skills: Adequate knowledge of the relevant historical field: an understanding of continuity and change unleashed through historical processes in a specific historical context. Skills specific to the discipline of History: articulate a central argument; identify primary and secondary sources; design a bibliography; and master proper practices of citations. The proficiency to identify and interpret different analyses and historiography. The capacity to incorporate historical skills in writing.

Channel 1
SANJUKTA DAS GUPTA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
General framework An analysis of the changing situation of women in India in the 19th and 20th centuries. Teaching structure 1)Theory: from gender history to women’s history 2) Reforms and new legal definitions 3) Women and education 4) Women and labour 5) Women and nationalism 6) Dalit and Adivasi Women 7) Women writing women 8) Women’s movements after Independence
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have a general knowledge of 19th and 20th-century history, and to be conversant with basic terminology related to political and social institutions.
Books
1. Sarkar, T. and S. eds., Women and Social Reform in Modern India, Delhi: Permanent Black, 2007. 2. Chaudhuri, M., ‘Introduction’, in Maitreyi Chaudhuri ed., Feminism in India, Delhi: Kali for Women, 2004. 3. Forbes, G., Women in Modern India, Cambridge University Press, 2007, ch. 1,2,3, 5,6 4. Gupta, C. (ed.), Gendering Colonial India: A Reader, Delhi: Orient Blackswan 2012. 5. SIngh L., & Sinha S.S. (eds), Gender in Modern India: History, Culture, Marginality , OUP, 2024.
Frequency
Attendance strongly recommended, but not compulsory.
Exam mode
Attending students: Students will have to make power-point presentations relating to parts 2-4 of the course and write a term paperof 1500 words on any topic relating to part 7 of the course. Final oral examination with marks up to 30/30, relating to parts 1, 5, 6, 8. Non-attending students: oral examination with marks up to 30/30, relating to the exam reading list. Marks are given based on: - ability to identify and contextualize historical processes and events; - knowing the subject matter; - ability to approach themes and issues both analytically and synthetically; - ability to use adequate language. Attaining the above abilities fully will result in excellent marks. Attaining the above qualities partially will result in medium to good marks. Failure in some of the abilities will result in only sufficient marks. Failure in most or all the above abilities will result in negative marks.
Bibliography
Sarkar, T. and S. eds., Women and Social Reform in Modern India, Delhi: Permanent Black, 2007. SIngh L., & Sinha S.S. (eds), Gender in Modern India: History, Culture, Marginality , OUP, 2024.
Lesson mode
The course is based on classroom lessons including students’ presentations and discussion
  • Lesson code10599603
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseOriental Languages and Cultures
  • CurriculumLingua hindi
  • Year1st year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDL-OR/17
  • CFU6
  • Subject areaDiscipline storiche, filosofiche, demoetnoantropologiche e geografiche