13658 - Indology (2)

Learning outcomes

Through this course students will acquire a thorough knowledge of relevant and characteristic aspects and themes of the culture of ancient, medieval and premodern India. They will be able to contextualise what they have learnt within the historical framework (also with reference to the relevant literature) and will acquire the ability to communicate it properly and effectively in oral and/or written formats.

Course contents

a) General course description. The course examines the so-called "medieval" and "pre-modern" Indian cultures, introducing its documentary sources (literary and epigraphic).

b) Main topics. The main topics covered in the course are:

• History and sources of early medieval India;
• History and sources of late medieval India;
• History and sources of Mughal India;
• Introduction to the colonial period.

N.B.: The syllabus is the same for both attending and non-attending students.

Readings/Bibliography

REQUIRED READINGS

• Textbook:

Kulke H., Rothermund D., Storia dell'India. Milano: Garzanti, 1991 / Città di Castello: Odoya, 2019, chapters 3-4 included.
(Available at the Giorgio Renato Franci Library, Via Zamboni 33, as well as other libraries in Bologna. For an English version, please contact the instructor.)

• Handouts:

Further readings (corresponding to an average of one or two per class) will be made available by the instructor on the online platform of the course on "Virtuale".

Teaching methods

The course consists of a series of lectures. The teacher will regularly use Power Point slideshows and, occasionally, pdf files (for text readings), audio and video files.

Although not mandatory, attendance is recommended.

Lessons won't be recorded.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

The exam is oral, and lasts approximately 30-45 minutes.

The exam consists in the discussion (presentation, contextualisation, criticism) of a selection of the historical sources studied during the course.

If so desired, the student can choose the first source to discuss.

Grading is based primarily on student's preparation, but will also take into account her/his ability of analysis and synthesis, clarity in exposition, and use of an appropriate language.

Broadly speaking:

• An organic vision of the topics discussed in the course, the capacity for critical analysis, and the use of a precise and appropriate language will be evaluated with excellent to good marks;
• A mnemonic knowledge of the subject, a limited ability of analysis and synthesis, and the use of an acceptable but not always accurate language will be evaluated with decent to average marks;
• Incomplete knowledge of the subject and/or poor analysis and synthesis skills and/or the use of an inaccurate language will lead to mere pass marks;
• Poor preparation, lack of familiarity with the bibliography of the course, use of inappropriate language will lead to exam failure.

Teaching tools

Handouts will be made available to students via the University's "Virtuale" platform.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Ciotti