Admission requirements
In addition to LIAS PhD students, this course is open to students of the MA Middle Eastern Studies (research and the MA Asian Studies (research). Interested students from other relevant PhD and Research MA programmes are kindly advised to contact the [course convener](mailto:s.poddar@hum.leidenuniv.nl] and the education coordinator before registering for this course.
Description
The present moment represents a critical juncture in the history of resistance against race-based discrimination (such as the Black Lives Matter movement) and caste-based oppression in South Asia and the South Asian diaspora. Within scholarship, following the lead of Critical Race Studies, Critical Caste Studies is now emerging as an important sub-field. These approaches are not limited to the study of any particular region but rather, posit ways of seeing and critiquing power structures in a global context. Against this background, this seminar is an exploratory introduction to cultures of anti-caste and anti-race thinking and action across the world. Rather than a chronological study of mobilizations around these identities, we will identify notable moments of synchronicity and solidarity between the two movements by reading seminal works by intellectuals, activists, and artists; thus, tracing the concepts and histories of race and caste through intellectual histories and social lenses. In parallel with this, as part of an effort to understand the innovative strategies of resistance through which discriminated people have claimed selfhood and emerged as subjects, we will seek to understand the affective experiences at stake by watching films, listening to music, and reading poetry and fiction. Finally, we will reflect on how race and caste privileges operate at an everyday level in order to occlude and sublimate the structural causes of discrimination. Even in our analysis and study, we must ensure that the burden of caste and race is not put on the oppressed but rather, shifted on to the interrogation of systemic exploitation. Alongside discussions about course material, a major component of the class will entail exposure to emerging networks of solidarity and new media activism. Consequently, from time to time, we will listen to podcasts, look up websites, watch videos, and read media articles as part of the preparation for this seminar.
Course objectives
Become familiar with theoretical works dealing with the production of knowledge, in particular related to Critical Race Studies;
Enhance your ability to engage and synthesize arguments in debate and workshop settings;
Improve critical reading and analysis skills.
Timetable
The timetables are avalable through My Timetable.
The deadlines for paper submission in MyTimetable are set for administrative purposes only. The actual deadlines are set (for ResMA students only) by the course convener after consultation of the students, at a date that enables marking and administrative processing within maximally six weeks after the Seminar’s final session.
Mode of instruction
Seminar.
Attendance and active participation are obligatory for seminars. Students are required to prepare for and attend all sessions. The course convener needs to be informed without delay of any classes missed because of illness or misadventure. In these cases it is at the discretion of the course convener(s) whether or not you will have to compensate by doing an extra assignment. Missing class for no valid reason and/or failing to notify the convener of your absence can result in a no-pass grade for the course or exclusion from it.
Assignments may include web posts, presentations, moderating the discussion etc, at the discretion of the convener.
Assessment method
ResMA students take the course for credit and will write a paper worth about 70 hours of work. Information on the requirements for the paper will be provided by the convener at the start of the course.
Academic integrity
Students should familiarize themselves with the notion of academic integrity and the ways in which this plays out in their own work. A good place to start is this page. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students may not substantially reuse texts they have previously submitted in this or other courses. Minor overlap with previous work is allowed as long as it is duly noted in citation. For information on plagiarism (in the context of academic writing at large), see clips 4-5-6 in this series of video clips.
Students must submit their assignment(s) to Brightspace through Turnitin, so they can be checked for plagiarism. Submission via email is not accepted.
ChatGPT: What is possible and what is allowed? Dos and Don'ts.
Assessment and weighing
| Partial Assessment | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Contributions to in-class debate and any assignments (see above) | 50% |
| A paper (see above) | 50% |
The final mark for this course is formed by the weighted average.
In order to pass the course, students must obtain an passing grade, i.e. 5.50 (=6) or higher, for both components of the assessment.
The course is an integrated whole. All assessment parts must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.
Inspection and feedback
Feedback will be supplied primarily through Brightspace. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the assessment results, a review will be organized.
Reading list
Prior to the start of the course, the course convener will provide detailed information on the material to be reviewed and any other preparatory activities for each session through Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Herta Mohr
Remarks
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