Global Pol Econ:Emerging Power

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Today, India is a recognized global power attracting attention in the realms of trade, military, hi-tech and cultural influence and Indian diaspora communities are becoming an important part of the world‘s political, economic, and cultural fabric. In the United States, individuals of Indian origin are the most successful ethnic community, surpassing those from Japan and China in terms of annual income. From Apu in the Simpsons, to Governor Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley, Indian Americans are now increasingly gaining prominence not only in medicine, academia and business but also in mainstream US politics. This course will explore the recent histories and contributions of the Indian diaspora in three specific regions—UK, the US and the Middle East (the ?Gulf‘ countries as well as, Israel). Each of these diaspora communities has a distinct story. We will examine the parallels and divergences in these narratives which are all connected through the ?homeland‘.....Although we will glance at the early histories of Indian emigration, our focus will be on post-colonial migration out of India to the regions relevant to our study. We will read some of the most current scholarship on the Indian diaspora to examine issues of culture, assimilation, ethnicity, identity, gender and sexuality. I will draw from multidisciplinary sources combining academic readings and theoretical essays with films, fiction, and invited speakers as we seek to understand complex issues of diaspora identities.