Thematic Studies

Through its Thematic Studies program, IISAC offers students the opportunity to take courses that fit the needs of their area of academic interest. Students can take courses suitable for their major requirements, but with an Indian perspective applied. It allows for a  specialized study abroad opportunity. Take classes that are suited for your major but unavailable at your home institution. All courses except Semester in India Program core courses (SIP courses) are taught in classrooms with Indian students. Directed research and individualized study is highly encouraged in addition to other courses. Thematic Studies provides you the rare opportunity to build your career by taking courses with Indian students in your academic field with a new perspective applied to the teachings.

Below is the Course Directory for Fall and Spring semesters through 2010. Courses are subject to change after each semester, but most of them will be offered in both the Fall and Spring.

The current Thematic Studies areas are as follows:

India and South Asian Studies

The SIP core courses give a general overview of subjects as they relate to India as a country, but there are numerous opportunities to take an interest in South Asian studies further. Learn about India and South Asia as a whole in courses from an array of departments like Anthropology, Philosophy, Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology and Performing Arts. Hindi, Sanskrit, and Tamil are all offered as language courses our students can take. Some examples of courses for this theme are Classical Indian Philosophy, Tribal Ethnography, Indian Social Institutions, Medieval Indian Society and Economy, Origin, Evolution, and Determinants of India's Foreign Policy. etc. Please peruse the Course Directory link above for more courses that fall within the India and South Asian Studies theme.

Tropical Biodiversity and Ecology

This theme is perfect for students interested in ecology and environmental studies. As South India is tropical in nature, the courses revolve around tropical biology. Students in this program are encouraged to pursue opportunities for field work and research in the richly diverse environmental areas near campus and in other parts of South India. Examples of courses for this theme are Biodiversity and Conservation, Forest Botany, Population Ecology, Microbiology, Immunobiology, Biomolecules, Plant Physiology, etc. See the Course Directory for other related courses. Pondicherry University also has a Center for Ocean Studies and Marine Biology

International Business and International Relations

The International Business and International Relations theme allows a study of global policy and economics, but through the view of Indian policy and with an emphasis on the effects of global practices in policy and economics on India. Related courses include Global Business Environment, Comparative Politics, Foreign Policy of Major Powers, South Asia in International Politics, International Economics, Comparative International Management, etc. See Course Directory for additional courses related to this theme. IISAC provides internships for students upon request and an international internship in India is an excellent complement to an International Studies or International Business student.

Hindu Studies and Religious Philosophy

This theme is ideal for Religious Studies majors looking to spend a semester with an in-depth study of Hinduism and other South Asian religious philosophies and practices. With access to many ashrams and temples, and in classes with students from a variety of different backgrounds, students can discover beyond what is taught in the classroom. Recommended courses include Classical Yoga, Hinduism and Its Practices, Sanskrit, Hindi, Moral Life and Ethical Standards, etc. For insight into the Yoga and Hinduism courses and syllabi, please see the “Sample Courses” section of the website under “Courses”