South Asian Studies minor

Bachelor of ArtsMinorYear: 2025

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Overview

The South Asian Studies minor considers the historical and contemporary significance of South Asia to cultivate a global understanding of political, economic, social and cultural change. South Asia is conventionally defined as the region encompassing India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Containing roughly one-quarter of the world’s population, South Asia is a highly dynamic world region that is critical for the future of Australia and the world.

The South Asian Studies Minor will offer in-depth knowledge and research skills in understanding and analysing South Asia. The minor will address questions concerning politics and international relations, law, health, education, architecture, geography, identity, and the environment. South Asian Studies is a transdisciplinary field drawing on the interests of specialists throughout the University. This enables students to develop a combination of research skills drawn from the Arts, Social Sciences, and other Faculties (Science, Law, and Design).

Complementing this course of study, AsiaLink and the Australia India Institute offer a rich program of Asia and South Asia-related events and activities, including connections for internships with businesses, governments, NGOs, and museums in Australia and/or South Asia.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this minor, students should be able to:

  • Convey a detailed knowledge and understanding of South Asia and the political, economic, social, cultural and geopolitical dynamics in the region in oral and written formats
  • Apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and critical analysis of South Asia and the key dynamics shaping the region
  • Convey a greater familiarity with South Asian societies and cultures, articulating the relationship between diverse forms of knowledge on South Asia and the social, historical and cultural contexts that produced them
  • Develop an independent approach to understanding the cross-disciplinary field of South Asian studies that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate methodologies, that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values
  • Articulate the value of an international and interdisciplinary approach to the study of South Asia and the relevance of area studies skills, practices, and understandings to a broad range of professional and disciplinary contexts
  • Deploy insights generated from intellectual engagement with South Asian studies to act as informed and critically discriminating participants within communities of scholars, as global citizens, and in the workforce
  • Work effectively in groups, with awareness and sensitivity to diversity of backgrounds and cultural difference, to tackle challenges concerning South Asia and the world
  • Work with independence, self-reflection and creativity to link an understanding of challenges, opportunities, and diverse experiences in South Asia to one's professional and personal goals.

Last updated: 4 March 2025