M.Phil. in South Asian Studies

Introduction

The objective of the compulsory courses is to introduce the students to the overall socio-political, economic, historical and cultural background of South Asia and prepare them for further specialized courses and research during Semester-II. For this purpose, core courses include the study of Research Methodology as well as the language of any South Asian country in which the student wishes to specialize.

Course Outline

COMPULSORY COURSES

M. Phil Part-I

1. M. Phil Part-1 Programme is of one-year duration, consisting of two semesters. Each semester carries four courses, and each course consists of 3 credit hours. Thus, a total of 24 credit hours must be successfully completed by the student before undertaking research work in Semester II.

1.1) M. Phil Part-I, Semester I, comprises four compulsory courses including one Compulsory course in SAARC’s regional language.

1.2) M. Phil. Part-I, Semester II, consists of three optional courses and one special course involving an intensive study of a selected South Asian country.

M. PHIL PART – II (THESIS)

1. M. Phil Part-II shall consist of 12 credit hours’ thesis; approved by the Departmental Doctoral Programme Committee (DDPC) constituted by the Director of the Centre. The student shall defend his/her thesis in a viva voce test before the Board of Examiners.

2. M. Phil thesis consisting of 40,000 to 50,000 words; should be submitted within one year duly approved by the relevant supervisor.

3. A thesis, if inadequate; but possessing merit in view of at least two members of the Board of Examiners consisting of Director, Internal and External Examiners, may be allowed a resubmission of the revised version within six months.

4. Any thesis unacceptable to the Board of Examiners shall be rejected.

COURSES OF STUDY

CC1 Research Methodology

Emphasis is laid on techniques suitable for socio-political and economic study of South Asia

CC2 Physical and Economic Geography of South Asia

This includes a study of South Asia’s natural and human resources, agriculture, industry, trade, social structure, problems of poverty, unemployment and other related areas.

CC3 History and Politics of South Asia

This involves an introductory survey of South Asia’s History, Political Institutions, Pre-independence and Post-independence challenges, major religious and cultural forces.

CC4 A Course in One of the Languages from South Asia

The purpose is to make students familiar with the language of the country they wish to study in-depth in Part-I. The choice of language will be subject to availability of a language instructor.

OPTIONAL COURSES

OC1 Government and Politics of South Asian States

The course comprises on analysis of South Asia’s political systems, including its political structures and a survey of its relevant political history. The course examines such problems as colonialism, nationalism, communalism, regionalism and social systems of areas. It also considers the government institutions, political parties, regional and local politics.

OC2 South Asia in International Politics

The interaction among states of South Asia and their impact on the international system as well as the external and internal factors, which influence their international behaviors

OC3 Modern South Asian History

Efforts at national integration, history of nationalities in South Asia as they have emerged out of traditional images and realities of the 19th and 20th centuries

OC4 South Asian Society and Culture

Law, political ideas, institutions and social organizations, inter-relationships between law, politics and social order

OC5 Pakistan Movement

Genesis and rise of Pakistan Movement and its impact on South Asia’s socio-political scenario, contemporary issues facing Pakistan

OC6 Economic Development of South Asia

Colonial Legacy of divide and rule efforts at National Development, role of Five-Year Plans changing Socio-Economic Structures with special reference to agriculture, industry, foreign trade and service sectors, problems of population, education and health, recent liberalization trends and impact of foreign agencies like IMF and World Bank.

OC7 SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

Concept of regional cooperation : formation, growth and objectives of SAARC; challenges and future prospects

OC8 Major Religions of South Asia

A Comparative study of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Christianity

OC9 Constitutional and Legal Framework of South Asian Countries

A Comparative study of the development of constitutional and legal institutions of South Asian countries

OC10 South Asian Languages and Literature

Urdu, Bengali, Hindi and other national languages

OC11 South Asia’s Anthropology and Archaeology

Basic features of South Asian Societies, Cultures, Social Stratification, Caste System and Archaeological Remains including their historical and social importance

OC12 South Asia’s Intellectual Legacy

Islamic identity and nationalism as reflected in the writing of Sayyid Ahmad Khan, Allama Iqbal, Quaid-e-Azam, Abul Kalam Azad and Syed Abul‘Ala Maudoodi
Hindu identity and nationalism, Hindu orthodoxy and modernism as reflected in the writing and movements of Mohan Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, B.G. Tilak, G.K. Gokle, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Sri Aurobindo and M.K. Gandhi

OC13 Muslims in India and Pakistan

Social and political history of Muslims of South Asia since A.D.712, the growth of Muslims community, conversion, social stratification and social structure, Medieval Muslim legacy in administration, art, literature and religion.

OC14 South Asian Historiography

Hindu and Muslim historiography in medieval and modern times

SPECIAL COURSES

(A mandatory course for M. Phil Part-1)

SC1 Special Country Course

An intensive and in-depth study of socio-political, cultural and economic development of any one of the following South Asian Countries:

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
SriLanka

Seats

Merit = 15
Reserve = 00
Total = 15

Duration

4 Semesters/ 2 Years

Teaching System

Semester

Session Begin

Winter

Admission Criteria

Eligibility:

M.A./M.Sc./BS 4 years in International Relations, Political Science, Defence and Strategic Studies, Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (DSS), History, Pakistan Studies, South Asian Studies, Sociology and Social Work.

And Clause 24 (b), Admission regulations 2012, page (7).

Admission criteria:

The admission shall be on merit, based on criteria determined by the HEC/ University of the Punjab, Lahore.

Merit Formula:

As per University/H.E.C Rules.

Credit Hour / Years

Total=36 Credit Hours
Course Work= 24 Credit Hours
Thesis/ Research Work= 12 Credit Hours

Fees

Semester I = 19,925
Semester II = 16,575
Semester III = 18,425
Semester IV = 16,575

M.Phil. in South Asian Studies