The India Program
C/D-Students of History of Religions and History at
Karlstad University

We offer a unique opportunity to conduct C/D level studies with one semester's residence in
Banaras, India's Holy City and one of the world's oldest cultural centers. The course is
organized together with Banaras Hindu University (BHU) which is India's largest state governed
university.


Ganga Mahal (The Swedish Study Centre)




Since 1995 Karlstad University has leased the Ganga Mahal, a small "palace" on the bank of the Ganges River (Ganga). The locality has an office, a large common room / study room, a well equipped kitchen, a laundry room, three bathrooms and five student rooms allowing comfortable accommodations for nine students. By agreement with a nearby student house the India Program can accommodate 14 students for the autumn term. At 1 PM each day a midday meal is served for all residents by the kitchen staff. The kitchen is available for use by the students for making their own evening meals and breakfast. On the roof there is a covered porch for study and reflection --- and an exquisite view over the Ganges.















The Ganga Mahal was established to create a safe and comfortable living and study environment for long-term students spending one - two semesters of study in India.




The office is manned by Shri Om Prakash Sharma, the Ganga Mahal local coordinator, who has year's of experience in assisting western students and researchers. Sharma-ji coordinates the Centre's activities, assists residents and attends to the daily needs of the Study Centre.





The India Program (30 or 45 ECTS credits):
 - 7.5 points: For several weeks during the months of May, June, August and September a preparatory
course is conducted in Karlstad, including "research methods".
 - 7.5 points: Seminar series "Multi-cultural Banaras" held at BHU.
 - 15 points: "Individual Study Projects" (C/D term papers)
 - 15 points: Hindi Language Studies (Uppsala University)     New
 
Voluntary studies can be organized for language (Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu) and cultural activities
such as Indian music and instruments, Yoga, Dance, Painting, etc.

  

"Individual Study Projects"
"Individual Study Projects" offers the opportunity for the student to study at depth different
aspects of Indian religion and culture within the realm of History of Religions and Cultural
Geography. Projects can be conducted either individually or in pairs. Students are encouraged
to work together in pairs. Qualified academic advisors, often affiliated with BHU, serves as
local experts for the students. The final result of the "Individual Study Project" is a C/D level
essay. Several examples of recent study projects:


Heroes of the Ramayan According to Children
Daily Religious Activities of Muslim Women
Jainism's  Meditation and Yoga
Sarnath as a Meeting Place for Theravada and Mahayana
The Guru-Shiksha System of Education in Contemporary Banaras

The Tree in Indian Cities and Tradition
Assi Street: An Avenue between Tradition and Globalisering
Ganga: Holy and Polluted
Chamaon Gram Sabha: a Village in Development
The Educational Experience of the Women of Karundi Village in Banaras District






After visiting the historical and cultural sites of Delhi and  Agra, the Program students spend a minimum of 14 weeks in Banaras. There is obligatory attendance at all seminars  and group excursions. The Program offers excellent opportunities for long week-end trips to near-by places of interest such as Bodh Gaya, Vindhyachal, and Allahabad, etc. Students are allowed to conduct a longer trip of one week during the program period. Many students prefer to save this "travel week" for the end of the program and spend the Christmas/New Year vacation travelling.




Special rules of conduct apply to the Ganga Mahal: For example: 0nly vegetarian food is allowed. No alcohol is permitted. Program students are expected to have a respectful attitude towards the religious surroundings of India's Holy City.









Hindi Language Studies    New
In agreement with Uppsala University, it is now possible to conduct Hindi studies for 15 Swedish
points (15 ECTS) simultaneously with studies in History of Religion or Cultural Geography. All eight 
students in the 2006 group enjoyed these lessons, held in an outdoor courtyard, and attained 
15 extra university credits. The basic Hindi studies were of great benefit in everyday situations
on the streets, in the bazaar and during field work studies. 






Comments from several India Program graduates:



"The India Program is a fantastic possibility to intensively study a religion and have the opportunity to conduct field studies. The program gives a future teacher the tools she needs to teach World Religions in the classroom. Living side-by-side the world religions gave me the knowledge and materials I needed to succeed in the class-room".

Malin Holmgren, High School (Gymnasiet) Teacher and Karlstad University teacher.




"Our time in Banaras was a great experience and offered many exciting meetings. Our study on the development of tourism in the area was enlightening and a valuable experience which has helped us in the projects with which we are working today."

Andreas Hofer and Kristofer Andersson, CERUT, Karlstad University.








Application
(applicants must be qualified for admission to the C/D levels of History of Religion or
Cultural Geography at Karlstad University):

1) University transcript of grades
2) List of merits
3) Essay (1-2 pages): Why do you want to go to India? And, why do you think that you are
    well adapted to successfully complete the Program?
4) Suggestion for "Individual Study Project" (1-2 pages)

Application (two copies). One each sent to:

1) Per Olof Fjällsby, Per-Olof.Fjallsby@kau.se, Karlstad University, tel: 054/ 700 1188
2) Marc Katz, Marc.Katz@kau.se, Karlstad University, tel: 054/ 700 1293

Dates:
First Information Meeting (IMPORTANT!), Monday, April 12, 2010 15:00-18:00 Room 3B 512
Final application date: April 26, 2010
Orientation: Last two weeks in May and last two weeks in August.
Leave for India: ca. September 12
Return from India: ca December 22 (can be extended)

Costs:
The approximate obligatory costs are ca. 25,000 Swedish Kronor (including air fare and living
expenses for 15 weeks). Applications can be made for extra "studiemedel" and MFS stipends.