India

Jaipur & Delhi, India

May 6 - 26, 2012

Total Program Fee: $4,600

Academics and Courses    Application, Cost, and Important Details

Program Location:

India has been referred to as the planet’s most multidimensional country. It is the largest democracy in the world, and will become the world’s most populous country in the next decade. Located in South Asia, India has many extremes. Its environments range from the tropical beaches along the Indian Ocean to the massive Himalaya Mountains in the north. The recorded history of India dates back 5,000 years and has been home to some of the oldest civilizations on Earth. India has become a leading economic power in the 21st Century. It boasts a high quality educational system and is producing high profile professionals from medicine to business. However, India does have a problematic social structure and traditions which suppress much of its population (e.g. caste system). Therefore, India is an ideal laboratory for study in a wide range of academic areas. A three-week study in the country will certainly be a life changing experience for students.

Program Description:

Student will begin the program with three days in India’s capital, Delhi. Some site visits include the Lotus Temple, Akshardham, Qutb Minar, Raj Ghat, and Jama Masjid. The next two days include driving and an overnight stay in Agra, site of the majestic Taj Mahal. The remainder of the program is in Jaipur, where the “Pink City” is at the heart of daily life. Jaipur is in the desert state of Rajasthan. With busy bazaars, bicycle rickshaws and innumerable street hawkers, one will experience all that India has to offer. An optional excursion to Ranthambore National (Tiger) Park is also planned. All courses offered will incorporate into the curriculum the local culture, including visits to local religious sites, historical sites, visiting a local hospital, and guest lecturers from local guides or university professors.

SERVICE LEARNING: All students will be required to participate in a faculty directed service learning project during the India program. Each student will earn up to 25% of their course grade through a service learning project, most likely with a local non-profit school like Shrestha and/or TAABAR. The project can include an educational activity utilizing the English language, geospatial skills and cultural awareness. Your professor will instruct you as to the project you will undertake.

Please Note: Prospective students should be aware that study abroad programs require a great deal of walking. You should be prepared to walk at least a mile or two each day. You may also walk over uneven, possibly slippery or rocky terrain even in cities. Students participating in the India program will also need to plan for temperatures reaching in excess of 100°F. Additionally, culture shock may be an issue as well. Thus, students need to be aware of the physical and mental challenges associated with study abroad.

Excursions: Excursions in addition to those already mentioned may include Red Fort, Agra Fort, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Nahagar Amber Fort, a village visit, and more. Individual professors may arrange other optional excursions related to their classes.

Classes: Classes will be held for approximately three hours a day during the week at various locations, including museums, local campuses and onsite lodging facilities. There will be ample time for students to complete reading/writing assignments, but this requires students to be efficient and effective with their time management.

Accommodations: In New Delhi and Agra, housing will be in a tourist class hotel. All rooms will be air-conditioned. In Jaipur, we will again be lodging with the Peppermint Hotel which has AC, wifi, pool, and delicious food. Two meals a day will be included in the cost of the program: breakfast and dinner.

Academics:

All TnCIS programs are academic in nature and course work that takes advantage of the program location will be the central focus. TnCIS program courses are for credit only. In India, students will enroll in ONE of the following courses:

GEOGRAPHY: Introduction to Human Geography (No Prerequisite)
This course is an introduction to the geography of human cultures, especially those in northern India. Course topics focus on human/environment interaction, demographics, distribution patterns and interactions of such cultural characteristics as language, religion, population, politics, urbanization and economics. See course syllabus

HISTORY: World Civilization II (No Prerequisite)
This course is a survey of world history since A.D. 1500. Major themes are the rise and fall of the Moghul empire in India; the impact of western imperialism upon the traditional societies of Asia and Africa; the importance of the Industrial Revolution in securing European dominance abroad; the rise of nationalism in 19th century Europe and its ultimate export abroad in the 20th century; the contradictions within western society which led to the great “world wars”; the incredibly rapid process of decolonization after World War II; and the rise of the contemporary global civilization in which we live. India will be used as a case study for the major course themes.  See course syllabus
 
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