South Asian Studies

The main goal of the bachelor's degree program South Asian Studies in the dual-subject option is to provide students with in-depth knowledge of current developments in South Asia. Is it especially important to realize that in order to understand this “other” region, its current developments in society, culture, politics, religion, and economics, we must leave preconceived notions and stereotypes “at the door” and dig deep into every aspect of life there. What is to be avoided is a fixation on working out supposed commonalities and differences as well as solely relying on case studies from South Asia that were undertaken to confirm theories of European and North American provenance: That which is “other” should be taken seriously and made comprehensible as “other.”

In addition to exploring philological and sociological questions and methodologies, a central aspect of this program is that students learn at least one of the languages of the region (for Bonn’s South Asian Studies program they must learn either Bengali or Hindi), to enable them not only to make themselves understood in the region, but also, more importantly, to follow the local socio-political discourse. In addition to South Asian studies content per se, students also acquire intercultural competence and in general the ability to work through questions scientifically and methodically, with critical thinking and reflection.

This subject must be combined with a second subject.

Possible lines of work:

Intercultural communication, intercultural management, international development cooperation, peace and conflict research, international educational work (adult education, language courses, etc.), politics (policy consulting), culture (conservation/maintenance/management of global cultural heritage, cultural institutions, culture management, museums, etc.), tourism (long-distance, educational and cultural tourism), journalism, academia (teaching/research at universities, research institutions, etc.)