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Contemporary India (POLS30031)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
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This subject will seek to introduce undergraduate students to contemporary India. It will primarily focus on developments since 1947, the year of India's independence from British rule. The subject will cover three main areas: India's constitution and democratic structure; Indian society and social movements; and Indian foreign policy. Students will be introduced to the Indian constitution, the process of its drafting and its working since 1950, including the main amendments and the principal debates over its functioning. The main contemporary issues in Indian politics including those related to caste, secularism and development will be covered. The structure of Indian society and the nature of social movements will also be studied. The continuity and changes in India's foreign policy, starting with the era of Non-Alignment, will also be introduced in this subject. In summary, the subject will not just explore the critical dimensions of contemporary Indian politics and society but also introduce students to the intellectual debates on key issues.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Have an understanding of India's democratic system and its internal politics;
- Understand the forces at play in contemporary Indian social and political life;
- Have an appreciation of the political history of India;
- Be attuned to the political nuances of various standard accounts of Indian politics;
- Develop an understanding of India's role in world affairs and the underlying foreign policy principles and priorities;
- Gain an insight into how the empirical can shed light on the theoretical;
- Demonstrate an ability to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;
- Be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
- Be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at 1st and 2nd year.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- An essay of 2000 words (50%) due in Week 7.
- A final essay of 2000 words (50%) due during the examination period.
- Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required.
- Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Anthony D'Costa Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 30 contact hours: A 2 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial per week over 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subrata K. Mitra, Politics in India - Structure, Process and Policy, Routledge, 2010
- Subject notes
This subject is available as Breadth to non-Bachelor of Arts students.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation Graduate Diploma in Arts - Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation Graduate Certificate in Arts - Politics and International Studies - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022