R.D. MacKenzie, "State Entry into Delhi, 1903" © Bristol Museum and Art Gallery



David Campion
MAIN PAGE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES ASSIGNMENTS MODERN INDIA IN FILM MODERN INDIA ONLINE

COURSE REQUIREMENTS


ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

A reading colloquium on the history of Modern India can be a fascinating exercise, but for this to happen it will require some effort. This means regular and punctual classroom attendance and consistent adherence to the schedule of assigned readings to keep up with and actively participate in discussions. If you must miss a class, you are required to notify the instructor in advance and in writing. Any unexcused absence after the first two will reduce your final grade by one third of a letter grade. Two late arrivals count as one absence. Being unprepared for class discussion will also count as an unexcused absence. Students are always encouraged to ask questions or continue discussions during office hours, and to go beyond the minimum course requirements as their imagination and intellect lead them. This is not a lecture course; as a reading colloquium, we are a relatively small group devoted to critical discussion of scholarly writing and historical problems. As such, your preparation and active participation in discussion is vital to the success of this course.

BOOK REVIEWS

Each week two students will lead the discussion on the assigned readings and related issues. In addition to leading the discussion, the two students will each submit a critical review (4-6 pages) of the readings assigned for the week. Students are required to submit two book reviews during the semester.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ESSAY

At the end of the semester each student will complete a 16-20 page bibliographical essay focusing on a recurring theme in the course (i.e. ethnicity, language, sovereignty, etc). The essay will be based on a critical analysis of the course readings, but if you like you may also incorporate any research or reading you have done elsewhere.

The bibliographical essay is due on Thursday, April 30.

All participants are reminded that we must show respect and courtesy to each other at all times and maintain an atmosphere in class that encourages participation by all and the free exchange of ideas and opinions.

Assignments must be submitted on time. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, assignments will be reduced by one third of a letter grade for each day they are late. After five days, an assignment will not be accepted.

The Lewis & Clark College Policy on Academic Integrity is applicable to all assignments in this course. Any instances of cheating or plagiarism, however slight, on any assignment will result automatically in a failing grade for the course and referral to the College Honor Board for further disciplinary action.

METHOD OF EVALUATION

Participation in discussion (50%)
Book reviews (20%)
Bibliographical essay (30%)

Note: If you have a disability that may affect your academic performance, you may request accommodations by submitting documentation to Office of Student Accessibility and that office will notify the instructor of the accommodation for which you are eligible.




REQUIRED TEXTS
(Available for purchase at the Lewis & Clark Bookstore)

Janaki Bakhle, Savarkar and the Making of Hindutva
Urvashi Butalia, The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India
Titas Chakraborty, Empire of Labor: How the East India Company Colonized Hired Work
Partha Chatterjee, The Black Hole of Empire: History of a Global Practice of Power
Santanu Das, India, Empire, and First World War Culture
Durba Ghosh, Gentlemanly Terrorists: Political Violence and the Colonial State
Sujatha Gidla, Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and the Making of Modern India
Christophe Jaffrelot, Modi’s India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy
Janam Mukherjee, Hungry Bengal: War, Famine and the End of Empire
Srinath Raghavan, Indira Gandhi and the Years that Transformed India
Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children
Taylor Sherman, Nehru’s India: A History in Seven Myths
Kim Wagner, Amritsar 1919: An Empire of Fear and the Making of a Massacre




Pilgrims at the Kumbh Mela, Allahabad

Created by campion@lclark.edu | Updated January 2026