THE PAPER IS DUE THURSDAY
APRIL 27, IN
CLASS. NO EXTENSIONS ON THIS ONE, I AM AFRAID!
Write a paper between 800-1000 words in length (double spaced, 1 inch margins, 12 point font size) on one of the following themes. The paper needs to SURVEY and ANALYZE (that is, go beyond mere description of events) of CONTEMPORARY INDIAN media sources. The paper must indicate familiar with the historical background as well as contemporary developments on the subject. Ideally therfore, students should choose a theme that connects with a theme from their first paper, though you are free to choose from the themes below.
You need to WORK on and think about this paper for a while. In the second week of April, I want to meet with EACH student individually. At this meeting, you need to come prepared with a DETAILED written plan of your paper. This plan has to include:
1. A clear indication of the question you will examine.
2. SPECIFIC sources (WHICH articles, from which papers, etc.),
3. The proposed THESIS of the paper.
Students missing this mandatory meeting may find themselves penalized when the paper is evaluated.
Sources
You will find links to most newspapers and magazines at http://www.samachar.com
South Asia
Current Affairs Links from my
web page also has other links not covered at the site above. Not included
in either, is one of the most unique journals in the world, particularly
useful for researching scholarly articles with contemporary relevance.
This is the Economic
and Political Weekly of India (EPW). Not only does the EPW combine
close attention to current politics, it also publishes the works of the
some of the world's best-known scholars on India, and does so on a WEEKLY
basis. Current issues are now available online. Cline library also
carries paper copies of this journal (HC431 .E326) and there is an index
to the articles from 1966 - 1996 (HC431 .E3263 1996).
More on-line sources are available under the topics below.
THEMES
1. Caste-based movements in contemporary India.
Interview with Kancha Iliaiah: From Proxsa/Foil
2. Women and politics in contemporary India.
One site with great links on issues relating to South Asian women is SAWNET
3. Religion and politics in contemporary India.
Two sites that take a critical look at the growth of Hindutva
or Hindu Communalism in contemporary India
ProXsa.org
Hate crimes
Two home pages that have wonderful links to politics and social issues
in India
David Ludden's Home
Page
For lots of links to Hindu Nationalist positions see his link to politics
of Hindutva
Gene Thursby's
India Resources Page
particularly
his section on social
and political issues
4. Class/ caste, and the workings of democracy in contemporary India.
See PROXSA
5. Center and State relations, separatist movements in contemporary India.
Government of India: Ministry of External Affairs (includes various links with the official government position on many issues)
A Link discussing the Kashmir
issue
6. Indian media representations of events contrasted with non-Indian
media (U.S. or Pakistani media provide interesting contrasts).
IF YOU WANT TO WRITE ON ANY OTHER THEME RELEVANT TO THE COURSE, PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP!