South Asian Studies Minor

The South Asian Studies minor is designed for students who wish to augment their major with concerted study of the history, culture, society, and languages of South Asia. The minor includes the introductory study of one South Asian language, one lower division course on South Asian history, and five upper division courses that focus on some aspect of the history, culture, politics, religions, and artistic heritage of South Asia.

To enter the minor, students must (1) be in good academic standing with a 2.0 grade-point average or better, (2) have completed 45 units and at least one lower division course (other than a language course) in South Asian studies, and (3) consult with the academic counselor in 10357 Bunche Hall.

Required Lower Division Courses (10 units maximum): History 9A and completion of the third term of either Hindi (Hindi-Urdu 3 or 3R) or Sanskrit (South Asian 110C) or by demonstrated proficiency as determined by a placement examination. Proficiency in other South Asian languages, such as Gujarati, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Pashto, or Urdu, may be accepted by petition, pending completion of a placement examination to be administered at UCLA or approval of an alternative and recognized course of language study.

Required Upper Division Courses (20 units minimum): Five courses, with no more than two from any single discipline or department, to be selected from Anthropology 116, Art History 114A, 114D, C115A, C180C, Asian 151, 162, 163, 164, Asian American Studies M172A, Ethnomusicology 146, 147, History 174A through 174E, 175A, M175B, 175C, 185B, 185C, Islamics 110, 130, 151, South Asian 115, 150, 175, 185.

Variable or selected topics courses (e.g., Comparative Literature 191) fulfill minor requirements only when the content focuses substantially on South Asia. Other courses with substantial South Asian content of at least 50 percent (as determined by the course instructor) may be applied only with prior approval of a petition filed with the academic counselor. Up to 12 units taken through a study abroad program may be applied toward the minor, though no more than 8 of the units may be applied toward the 20 units of upper division coursework.

Independent studies courses (197 or 199) may not be applied toward the minor. No more than one upper division course may be applied toward both this minor and a major or minor in another department or program.

Each minor course must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better. Successful completion of the minor is indicated on the transcript and diploma.