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78281-01 - Seminar: The Sociology of India (3 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Manfred Max Bergman (max.bergman@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Focusing on India as a laboratory of modernity, this seminar introduces students to major sociological approaches that analyse rapid social and technological change under conditions of deep inequality. The course explores how institutions and identities are produced through historical and contemporary dynamics, linking colonialism and state formation to ongoing struggles over caste and class stratification, religious pluralism and secularism, gender regimes, democratic mobilization, and the cultural politics of mass and digital media. Throughout, students are encouraged to draw comparisons to other world regions and to treat India not as an “exception,” but as a generative case for theorizing globalization, development, and plural democracies in the 21st century. The seminar combines reading with analysis and skills-building. Mapping “images of India,” interpreting official statistics on religion, and exploring contemporary Indian media (e.g., film, advertising, news channels, and social media narratives). Student presentations frame each session by engaging with texts and active discussion. By the end of the semester, participants will be able to formulate researchable questions, connect theory to empirical material, and communicate about a rapidly changing India and its role in the world. |
| Learning objectives | • Identify and explain major sociological themes in India’s social change (inequality, state and citizenship, religion, gender, media, and development) • Work with key course materials (academic texts and media examples) to support appropriate argumentation • Connect Indian cases to broader global questions and draw careful comparisons with other world regions • Select suitable texts and deliver a structured presentation to frame a seminar session |
| Weblink | Europainstitut |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz - |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 18.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 25.02.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Wednesday 04.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 11.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 18.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 25.03.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 01.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 08.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 15.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 22.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 29.04.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 06.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 13.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 20.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Wednesday 27.05.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | - Online Präsenz -, -- |
| Modules |
Modul: Politik, Entwicklung und soziale Ungleichheit (Bachelor's degree subject: Sociology) Modul: Ungleichheit, Konflikt, Kultur (Master's degree subject: Sociology) Module: Europeanization and Globalization (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Graded assessment will be on a presentation, including its thematic framing, the appropriateness of the selected text(s), and a balanced delivery, as well as co-leading a group discussion on the seminar theme. In addition, participants are expected to regularly attend the seminar and contribute actively to discussions. The seminar organiser will provide ongoing guidance and support throughout the process. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | University of Basel |
| Offered by | Europainstitut |