Understanding Contemporary India (L6057)

30 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll use an anthropological lens to explore the processes of social, economic and political transformation currently animating everyday life in India. You’ll:

• review anthropological theories of caste
• explore experiences of caste from a Dalit perspective
• look at marriage
• focus on gender and gender-based violence in urban India.

You’ll then address the rise of the Indian middle classes and the role of consumption in society. You’ll also examine India’s informal economy and the role of the state in everyday life.

The module concludes with a look at how digital technologies are transforming Indian society.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 267 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.