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In an effort to create a stronger program in South Asian Studies, the University plans on hiring three new tenure-track professors whose specialties lie in South Asia.

The three searches are being coordinated between the Religious Studies program, the History department and the International and Area Studies program to find a diverse and talented set of scholars. Because there is no department of South Asian Studies, the new professors will be hired cooperatively between existing departments.

“There is a growing realization that South Asia is a.player on the global stage,” said Beata Grant, professor of Chinese and Religious Studies, and the head of the search for a professor in religious studies. “South Asia has always been there, this is just an effort to give it more priority.”

If the searches underway are successful, the new professors should join the faculty next year. This will add up to ten new courses, each specifically dealing with South Asia.

“Students will get many more chances to experience interdisciplinary studies in South Asia,” said Mohammad Warsi, professor of Hindi-Urdu classes. “Students should have the opportunity to go beyond just studying South Asian languages.”

According to Grant, the study of South Asia is best served by a diverse set of scholars because of its pluralistic history.

Currently, most students taking classes focusing on South Asia tend to be heritage students, those aiming to learn more about their own culture. There have, however, been a growing number of students with no familial connections, looking to broaden their cultural knowledge.

“Many non-heritage students would be well served to think about South Asian studies for their professional development,” said James Wertsch, director of the International and Area Studies program.

The added courses may make it possible for students to major in Hindi, a language currently offered without the option for a major or minor, or for the creation of a South Asian studies track within the International and Area Studies program.

“We will have a track which represents a large portion of the world’s population,” said Wersch.

Sophomore Vir Singh, who is currently taking Hindu-Urdu, was excited to hear of the changes.

“I’m definitely interested. I feel like there is a certain demand for that. People are beginning to see the need for a center for South Asian studies,” said Singh. “We certainly need more South Asian courses, but the question if this will change will happen soon enough to effect the current students.”

The effort to attract more professors from South Asia comes as the University works to build ties with many schools in Asia, such as the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai.

“This is part of a major new commitment to globalizing the University,” said Wertsch.

In addition to developing the study of South Asia, the University has begun to develop partnerships with 17 major schools around the world through the McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

The Academy aims to draw top students from partner institutions to the University’s graduate and professional schools. The Academy also creates opportunities for the exchange of professors, and could lead to more study abroad possibilities in the future.

“South Asia is a huge, powerful and ambitious place, and we need to build our ties there to strengthen ourselves,” said Wertsch.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 8th, 2006 at 12:00 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.