Why South Asian Studies?
The National University of Singapore (NUS) South Asian Studies Programme (SASP) has the unique distinction of being the only programme in ASEAN focusing on South Asia. Our location in Southeast Asia provides a unique perspective on South Asia and on the relations of the South Asian nation-states with Southeast Asia. We explore the history of cultural relations and influences between the two regions and the South Asian diaspora. The Programme was kickstarted in 1999 on the back of NUS' continuing tradition of scholarship on the Indian subcontinent and the tremendous interest shown in the South Asian region by the many Departments of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS).
Message from our
Head of Department
Associate Professor Rajesh Rai is Head of the South Asian Studies Programme (SASP), National University of Singapore (NUS). Recognised as a leading scholar in the field of Indian Diaspora and Heritage studies, he has authored and edited several major works. Most notably, he was assistant editor of the Encyclopedia of the Indian Diaspora, a highly acclaimed volume that has gained global recognition for its path-breaking contribution to Indian diaspora studies. Beyond his academic credentials, A/P Rai holds distinguished positions in charitable organisations in Singapore, and has been a member of the Indian Heritage Centre’s Advisory Board since 2015. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Sammaan by the India International Centre for his contributions to the scholarly understanding of Indian communities around the world.
Curriculum
Single Major [B.A. (Hons)]
Pass at least 60 Units of SN courses or SN-recognised courses (including Tamil or Hindi language modules), which include:
- SN1101E
- a minimum of 36 Units of SN courses
- a minimum of 36 Units at level-3000 or higher, with a minimum of 20 Units at level-4000 or higher
- a maximum of 1 SN or SN-recognised course at level 5000 (subject to department’s approval)
- a maximum of 8 Units of Tamil or Hindi track language courses offered by CLS (See Note 1)
Note 1:
Language training is not a compulsory requirement for obtaining Major or 2nd Major in South Asian Studies.
Second Major
Pass at least 40 Units of SN courses or SN-recognised courses (including Tamil or Hindi language courses), which include:
- SN1101E
- a minimum of 24 Units of SN courses
- a minimum of 16 Units at level 3000 or higher
- a maximum of 8 Units of Tamil or Hindi track language courses offered by CLS (See Note 1)
Note 1: Language training is not a compulsory requirement for obtaining Major or 2nd Major in South Asian Studies.
Minor in India Studies
Pass at least 20 Units of SN or SN-recognised courses (See Note 1), which include:
- A minimum of 12 Units of SN modules
- A minimum of 4 Units at level-3000
Note 1:
All SN-coded courses will be recognised towards the Minor in India Studies
The following courses are also recognised as contributing towards the Minor in India Studies requirements:
HY3236/SN3262 – The Struggle for India, 1920-64
PH3204/SN3272 – Issues in Indian Philosophy
HY2258 – Passage to India: Contemporary Modern Indian Society
LAH1201 – Hindi 1
LAH2201 – Hindi 2
LAL1201 – Tamil 1
LAL2201 – Tamil 2
Note 2:
Language courses are optional.
Admissions
SASP welcomes all students with good results in the GCE ‘A’ Levels (including General Paper) who have an interest in South Asia. No prior knowledge of the region or knowledge of any South Asian language is required.
Job Ready
The economic and political importance of individual South Asian nation states, and the entire region, has grown tremendously. India especially, has become an important member of the global trade community. Great demographic and political problems still prevail in the South Asian region. Overpopulation, poverty, a widening divide between "rich" and "poor", natural calamities and national as well as international conflicts in the region will have to be addressed.
Given this background, a combination of economic, political, historical, and sociological studies as they relate to the South Asian world will open great career opportunities in the future. Moreover, these opportunities are likely to grow with the development of the region and its international relations.
The programme prepares graduates to excel in corporations and agencies with interests and operations in South Asian countries. Our graduates take on roles like administrators, educationists, analysts, policy makers, and consultants.
Why CHS?
The College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) is the enhanced undergraduate experience for students of the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences (FASS) and the Faculty of Science (FOS) at the National University of Singapore.
Scale of Impact
Taps and builds on the research expertise of two of the largest and most established faculties in Singapore.
Deliberate Curriculum Curation
A distinct interdisciplinary approach that emphasises the ability to draw connections, discover links and connect insights across disciplines.
Unparalleled Flexibility
Offers greater choice and unparalleled flexibility to pursue breadth and depth from more than 1,000 modules per academic year.
Testimonials
Kausalya Vijayan Kumar
South Asian Studies
Although South Asian studies is not a well-known major, it was a personal choice of mine. I genuinely felt interested in this area specific major, and mostly because it is multi-disciplinary. Why choose between the different specific majors like Sociology, Geography or Political Science when I can have them all at once?
I'm open to exploring. And if anything, FASS has allowed me to be braver.
Suthaarshun S/O Ambalavanan
South Asian Studies
When it comes to South Asian Studies, a huge deciding factor for me was how dynamic the modules are. While I am a creative person, I wanted to study more than just art. I wanted to engage in global politics and economics too and I felt that South Asian Studies offered modules in all of these areas that I was interested in. I'm also personally very interested in the topic of religion and culture, and I think the South Asian Studies department has done a fantastic job in producing modules that talk about how religion evolves over time. Beyond that, when I took the introductory module, it gave me a sense of what South Asian Studies was about. Being South Asian and growing up in a diasporic setting like Singapore, I felt like I was learning a lot about myself as well.
Dr Ritu Jain
Lecturer, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
South Asian Studies Programme '17 (Ph.D.)
Dr Ritu Jain is a lecturer in the Language and Communication Centre of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. An itinerant Indian, she has lived and worked in various parts of India and South/South East Asia before making Singapore home. She has taught a variety of courses in Linguistics, Area Studies, Academic Communication, and Humanities across various universities in Singapore and elsewhere. She was also a recipient of the Graduate Students' Teaching Award in 2015 here in the National University of Singapore (NUS).
"South Asian Studies has broadened my perspective on the region, enhanced my understanding of its history and deepened my appreciation of my identity."
Outside of work, Ritu is a passionate advocate of countermeasures against rare diseases and holds an honorary appointment as Rare Diseases Policy Advisor at the Skin Research Institute of Singapore, A*Star. She lobbies at an international level for the inclusion of rare diseases in global/national health policies as head of the Asia Pacific Alliance of Rare Diseases Organisations as well as DEBRA Singapore, a patient-support organisation for those with Epidermolysis Bullosa.
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS) is committed to environmental sustainability.
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