South Asia StudiesAs students prepare to declare a major, their academic interests and topics of study, the level of support and the departmental study environment, their professional development prospects, the internship and immersion opportunities and the financial support available are all important considerations which determine the decision around the topic of Major. Here, we present information on the SAST Major and the Minor, and the way in which study in the department can support students to flourish and do well in college, while preparing for life beyond college.
South Asia Studies refers to the study of region and the several countries it comprises: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bhutan. Collectively, these nations make up more than 1/7th of the world’s population. It is a place of one of the world's oldest civilizations and also, currently, one of the most vibrant and important centers of global culture, from an economic, political and social point of view.
The South Asia Studies Department with its extensive range of courses, offers students a broad liberal arts education. Students are encouraged to develop their intellectual curiosity and pursue their academic interests. They are guaranteed to develop important life skills including critical thinking, analysis and reasoning, and discussion and communication skills. Prospective students do not need any previous knowledge of the region, the subject, or its languages. We look for a willingness to learn and to engage intellectually with the course content. The classroom instruction and written assignments are in English. Our classes are small with low teacher-student ratios, which allow for full student participation and interaction. Equally, our faculty members are easy to access, and support students in their studies
Overall, the SAST community is strong, dynamic and unique. Our students come from a diverse range of heritages and cultural backgrounds, different parts of the world and the States, and possess specific academic interests. The department is small, and the faculty are committed to supporting students to learn, engage and do well. Students can connect to student organizations, communities and events – including the South Asia Colloquium.
Majoring, double majoring and minoring in the department can help improve career prospects. In an increasingly competitive global job market employers are keen to recruit graduates with critical thinking skills, knowledge of a region and its key languages. If students want to develop a career with an international aspect, they can pick from nine South Asian languages from beginners, intermediate and advanced level; and instruction is tailored to meet the students’ individual needs. Our alumni have been able to leverage the course offerings from the department — both at home and abroad— and entered exciting and high-flying careers in sectors as diverse as medicine and care, policy-making and diplomatic services, academia and research, and investment banking and international marketing.
A majority of our students choose to double major in the department. Possessing two majors’ topics may help broaden the number of professions students can enter. The topics if Majors do not necessarily need to have be closely linked – the SAST courses are mainly in the humanities and can complement other types of study fields. The requirements for the major and double major, are the same.
While matriculating, SAST students have the opportunity to study abroad in India and to participate in internships for a period ranging from a summer to a whole year. The time abroad helps bridge the disciplinary content and learning from the classroom with a full in-country immersion experience, all within a familiar classroom setting with full student support services. There are Penn administered and pre-approved programs that are overseen by Penn Abroad --the division with a purview over these programs—and students can apply for credit transfer. In addition, there are also other programs, which students can petition for transfer credit.
Financial support with research grants are available through the department. Students can apply for grants to complete summer academic research projects in South Asia to cover some fieldwork related costs.
Ingrid Heidelberg, SAST Major C'15 talks about her experience of studying in the department.