INST 488
Gandhi: Nationalism, Philosophy, and Legacy
Last Offered Spring 2015
Division II Writing Skills Exploring Diversity Initiative
Cross-listed ASST 488 / HIST 488
This course is not offered in the current catalog

Class Details

This course studies the work and ideas of M.K. Gandhi, one of the most influential thinkers of the non-western world. Gandhi is well known today for his philosophy of non-violence and its application in India’s freedom struggle as well as his influence on the work of leaders like Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela. Hailed as the `father of the Indian nation’, however, Gandhi is not only known for his political ideas but also for his deep engagement with aspect of everyday human behavior and morality: truth, vegetarianism, sex and celibacy, to name just a few of his obsessive concerns which contributed to making his broader philosophy. It is this commitment to a morally pure life that earned him the title of `Mahatma’ or Great Soul in India. The tutorial will focus on three key aspects of Gandhi: his ideas of nationalism, his contemplations on moral philosophy and on his legacy in modern India. The materials will include a combination of Gandhi’s own writings as well as journal articles, monographs and films. The course will probe questions such as: What was the nature of Gandhian nationalism? Did it help to integrate the Indian nation? How, if at all, was shaped by Gandhi’s engagements with moral philosophy and human behavior? Was Gandhi truly a Great Soul, a saint or a shrewd politician? In what ways is Gandhi received and remembered by the Indian nation today? How does understanding a figure like Gandhi facilitate our understanding of modern nationalism, citizenship and political action?
The Class: Format: tutorial; students will meet with the instructor each week for one hour sessions in pairs
Limit: 10
Expected: 10
Class#: 3282
Grading: no pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: every other week each student will write and orally present a 5- to 7-page essay on the assigned readings of that week; students not presenting an essay will write and present 2 page critique of their partners' work; also a final 10page paper
Extra Info: may not be taken on a pass/fail basis
Prerequisites: none
Enrollment Preferences: History majors
Distributions: Division II Writing Skills Exploring Diversity Initiative
Notes: This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
ASST 488 Division II INST 488 Division II HIST 488 Division II
Attributes: HIST Group B Electives - Asia
INST South + Southeast Asia Studies Electives

Class Grid

Updated 10:41 am
  • HEADERS Column header 1
    CLASSES
    Column header 2
    DREQ
    Column header 3
    INSTRUCTORS
    Column header 4
    TIMES
    Column header 5
    CLASS#
  • INST 488 - TUT Gandhi
    INST 488 TUT Gandhi
    Division II Writing Skills Exploring Diversity Initiative
    Not offered

Course Catalog Search


(searches Title and Course Description only)
TERM




SUBJECT
DIVISION



DISTRIBUTION



ENROLLMENT LIMIT
COURSE TYPE
Start Time
End Time
Day(s)