Undergraduate Minor

The Minor in Indian and South Asian Studies equips students with linguistic and cultural proficiency focused on India and the other nations of South Asia (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, and Tibet) to enable their future work across the region and the disciplines. Students gain global cultural understanding, develop communication skills, and think analytically. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in study abroad programs, internships, student-centered organizations, and experiential learning opportunities through which they can practice the language and deepen their cultural understanding. Students will become conversant with digital technologies as an integrated part of their academic training in preparation for their career beyond MSU.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. 

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Indian and South Asian Studies

Students must complete 15 credits from the following requirements:

1. 1. Complete the equivalent of 2.5 years of academic study in a South Asian language or demonstrate equivalent proficiency through placement testing. Students must choose one of the following language pathways (12 credits):
   1. Hindi
   2. ISA 211 Intermediate Hindi I (3)
   3. ISA 212 Intermediate Hindi II (3)
   4. ISA 311 Intermediate High Hindi I (3)
   5. ISA 312 Intermediate High Hindi II (3)
   6. ISA 411 Advanced Hindi I (3)
   7. ISA 412 Advanced Hindi II (3)
   8. Urdu
   9. ISA 221 Intermediate Urdu I (3)
   10. ISA 222 Intermediate Urdu II (3)
   11. ISA 321 Intermediate High Urdu I (3)
   12. ISA 322 Intermediate High Urdu II (3)
   13. ISA 421 Advanced Urdu I (3)
   14. ISA 422 Advanced Urdu II (3)
   15. Bengali
   16. ISA 231 Intermediate Bengali I (3)
   17. ISA 232 Intermediate Bengali II (3)
   18. ISA 331 Intermediate High Bengali I (3)
   19. ISA 332 Intermediate High Bengali II (3)
   20. ISA 431 Advanced Bengali I (3)
   21. ISA 432 Advanced Bengali II (3)
   22. Tamil
   23. ISA 241 Intermediate Tamil I (3)
   24. ISA 242 Intermediate Tamil II (3)
   25. ISA 341 Intermediate High Tamil I (3)
   26. ISA 342 Intermediate High Tamil II (3)
   27. ISA 441 Advanced Tamil I (3)
   28. ISA 442 Advanced Tamil II (3)
2. 2. Complete one of the following language and culture courses below or an additional South Asian language course between the 100-400 level (3 credits):
   1. ASN 291 Special Topics in Asian Languages (1 to 4)
   2. ASN 491 Special Topics in Asian Languages (1 to 6)
   3. ENG 360 Studies in Postcolonial and Diaspora Literature (W) (3)
   4. FLM 350 National and Transnational Cinemas (3)
   5. FLM 450 Studies in Ethnic Film (3)
   6. FLM 451 Studies in Postcolonial Cinema (3)
   7. HA 260 Asian Art (3)
   8. HA 261 Modern Asian Art (3)
   9. HA 461 Selected Topics in Modern Asian Art (4)
   10. HST 374 South Asia before Colonialism (3)
   11. HST 375 Modern South Asia (3)
   12. IAH 204 Asia and the World (I) (3)
   13. IAH 211B Area Studies and Multicultural Civilizations: Asia and the Pacific (I) (3)
   14. ISA 111 Elementary Hindi I (3)
   15. ISA 112 Elementary Hindi II (3)
   16. ISA 121 Elementary Urdu I (3)
   17. ISA 122 Elementary Urdu II (3)
   18. ISA 131 Elementary Bengali I (3)
   19. ISA 132 Elementary Bengali II (3)
   20. ISA 141 Elementary Tamil I (3)
   21. ISA 142 Elementary Tamil II (3)
   22. ISA 291 Special Topics in Indian and South Asian Studies (3)
   23. ISA 491 Special Topics in Indian and South Asian Studies (3)
   24. MUS 425 Music of South Asian and Its Diaspora (2)
   25. REL 340 Hinduism (3)
   26. REL 345 Religions of South Asia (3)
   27. REL 441 Devotional Hinduism (W) (3)
   28. REL 350 Buddhism of South Asia (3)
   29. Students must obtain advisor approval before enrolling in ASN 291, ASN 491, ENG 360, FLM 350, FLM 450, FLM 451, HA 461, HST 374, HST 375, IAH 204, or IAH 211B to ensure appropriate South Asian content. Other South Asian language courses not used to fulfill the language requirement in item 1. and other approved courses with South Asian content may be used to fulfill the requirements of the minor.