ASIAN 4437

Topics in Tamil Studies

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2019-2020.

Topics will change in relation to curricular needs in the South Asia Program and the Department of Asian Studies. Spring Topic: Tamil Migration and Integration in Urban Contexts: This course examines the articulation between migration, identity and space to analyse the forms of integration of the Tamil populations in several cities in South Asia (Jaffna, Colombo, Chennai), Southeast Asia (Singapore, Kuala Lumpur), Europe (Paris) and North America (Montreal). Through an examination of the social, cultural, political and religious dimensions of Tamil urban life and the territorialization of Tamil identity, this class will enable students to asses the integration of Tamil populations in various urban contexts and at different scales. We will consider intra- and inter-communal struggles, interethnic conflicts, as well as conflicts with authorities, to examine Tamils' geographical distribution and integration. Using a wide array of sources ranging from scientific studies, maps and photographs, to literary and cinematographic works, students will be introduced to the approaches and methods of human geography.

When Offered Spring (weeks 8-16).

Course Subfield (SC)

Comments This course is supported by the Cornell South Asia Program's Tamil Studies Initiative and Global Cornell funding.

View Enrollment Information