Admission requirements
MA Asian studies students (60 EC, 120 EC or research) will be given priority in enrollment if demand exceeds the available places.
Description
India had long been hailed as one of the largest and most successful democracies in the world and, indeed, an inspiration for newly decolonizing countries in the global South. Its immense diversity and complexity, with many religions, regions, castes, and classes, have animated the political domain in often fiercely contentious ways, challenging deeply entrenched historical inequalities. Political contestations have played out not only in the realm of formal electoral politics but also in multiple arenas of everyday life, posing new puzzles for analyses to which liberal political theory does not always offer satisfactory answers. For example, in what ways has Indian politics challenged theories of civil society or analyses of urban politics through the dichotomies of legality and illegality?
Contemporary Indian politics has been in the headlines of global news in recent times. Analysts have pointed to its democratic backsliding. New constitutional amendments threaten the rights of minorities, highlight the limitations of constitutional and legal redress, and expose the various mechanisms and modalities through which power imbalances influence the lives of citizens. Even as new challenges confront the people of India, the governed continue to negotiate longstanding political and social marginalization, perhaps with ever more urgency. The course will examine key themes in contemporary Indian politics (e.g. debates around its federal character, politics of religion, urban and resource politics, caste and Dalit politics). It will be founded on historical, anthropological, and critical theory perspectives such that studying politics in India will become an avenue for global comparative analyses.
Course objectives
The course aims to impart an in-depth understanding of contemporary Indian politics, which will enable the students to:
know the multi-layered political landscape of postcolonial India and workings of Indian democracy; ->Researching, Analysing, Reflecting, Societal Awareness, Independent Learning, Digital Skills
understand how different political institutions, actors and processes have shaped the Indian political system; ->Researching, Analysing, Reflecting, Societal Awareness, Independent Learning
comprehend how Indian democracy negotiates with challenges and contestations; -> Reflecting, Societal Awareness, Independent Learning
think comparatively about global politics; -> Researching, Analysing, Reflecting, Independent Learning, Digital Skills
develop skills in research, analysis, presentation and writing -> Presenting, Oral Communication, Collaborating, Written Communication, Researching, Digital Skills
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
The deadline(s) in MyTimetable is/are set for administrative purposes only. The actual date(s) will be communicated by the lecturer(s) in Brightspace.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Attendance
Attendance and participation are obligatory for seminars and language courses. Students are required to attend all sessions. The lecturers need to be informed without delay of any classes missed for a good reason (i.e. due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, family issues, problems with residence permits, the Dutch railways in winter, etc.).
Absence in 3 or more classes will result in a failing attendance grade unless you face extenuating circumstances. In this case, contact the study adviser and Board of Examiners to apply for exemption.
Assessment method
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with Leiden University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. It is assumed that students' work is their own work with all sources used properly indicated and documented in the text (with quotations and/or citations). Students may not substantially reuse any work 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.
Assignment(s) must be submitted 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 |
|---|---|
| Participation in class (discussions and group presentations) | 30% |
| One short written assignment & individual presentation | 70% |
Final marks
Final marks are formed by the weighted average.
In order to pass a course, students must obtain an overall mark of 5.50 (=6) or higher.
Each 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.
Submission of term papers and written assignments
Students must complete all papers and assignments on time.
Late submissions for all written work for the first or second attempt will result in a deduction of marks as follows:
1-24 hours late = -0.5;
24-48 hours late = -1.0;
48-72 hours late = -1.5;
Submissions more than 72 hours late, including weekends, will receive a failing grade of 1,0 for the assignment.
If students face extenuating circumstances they can request an extension by contacting the [Board of Examiners](Exemptions and petitions - Leiden University). Note that such a request needs to be submitted four weeks before the deadline.
Word limits
A mark deduction applies to papers which exceed the world limit or word range specified in the course description. Students who exceed this word limit will receive an automatic penalty of 0.5 mark deduction.
Resit
Only if the total weighted average is insufficient (5.49 or lower), students will be given the option to resubmit the assignment(s) within a set period of time.
No re-sits or resubmissions are possible for the class presentations.
Inspection and feedback
Written assignments will be returned with feedback. Students can make an appointment to discuss their written work with the instructor.
Reading list
A course outline with a reading list will be provided on Brightspace at the start of the course.
Students who want to start preparing themselves before the start of the course can get a provisional reading list from the lecturer, the lecturer, Dr. Ritanjan Das.
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 information bar on the right.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Herta Mohr.