'Introduction to India Studies' is a course offered in the B. Tech. programs at School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
This paper will introduce the students to the multiple dimensions of the contribution of India to the fields of philosophy, art, literature, physical and social sciences. The paper intends to give an insight to the students about the far-reaching contributions of India to world culture and thought during the course of its long journey from the hoary antiquity to the present times. Every nation takes pride in its achievements and it is this sense of pride and reverence towards the achievements that lays the foundation for its all-round progress.
Unit 1
A brief outline of Indian history from prehistoric times to the present times.
Contributions of India to world culture and civilization: Indian Philosophy and Religion;Art and Literature; Physical and Social Sciences.
Unit 2
Modern India: Challenges and Possibilities.
Scientific and technological progress in post-independence era; Socio-cultural and political movements after independence; Challenges before the nation today - unemployment – corruption – degradation of cultural and moral values - creation of a new system of education; Creation of a modern and vibrant society rooted in traditional values.
Unit 3
Modern Indian Writing in English: Trends in Contemporary Indian Literature in English
- Material given by the Faculty
- Selections from The Cultural Heritage of India, 6 volumes, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (Kolkata) publication.
- Selections from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Advaita Ashrama publication.
- Invitations to Indian Philosophy, T. M. P. Mahadevan, University of Madras, Chennai.
- Outlines of Indian Philosophy, M. Hiriyanna, MLBD.
- An Advanced History of India, R. C. Majumdar et al, Macmillan.
- India Since 1526, V. D. Mahajan, S. Chand & Company
- The Indian Renaissance, Sri Aurobindo.
- India’s Rebirth, Sri Aurobindo.
- On Nationalism, Sri Aurobindo.
- The Story of Civilization, Volume I: Our Oriental Heritage, Will Durant, Simonand Schuster, New York.
- Eternal Values for a Changing Society, Swami Ranganathananda, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
- Universal Message of the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Ranganathananda, Advaita Ashrama.
- Awaken Children: Conversations with Mata Amritanandamayi
- Indian Aesthetics, V. S. Seturaman, Macmillan.
- Indian Philosophy of Beauty, T. P. Ramachandran, University of Madras, Chennai.
- Web of Indian Thought, Sister Nivedita
- Essays on Indian Nationalism, Anand Kumaraswamy
- Comparative Aesthetics, Volume 2, Kanti Chandra Pandey, Chowkhamba, Varanasi
- The Invasion That Never Was, Michel Danino
- Samskara, U. R. Ananthamurthy, OUP.
- Hayavadana, Girish Karnard, OUP.
- Naga-Mandala, Girish Karnard, OUP
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