This course is anchored in the relatively new field of Masculinity Studies. It is meant to introduce certain productive, ongoing debates that have emerged from the transdisciplinary investigation of Indian masculinities. The chief objective is to treat ‘masculinity’ as a distinctive object of inquiry, which can be analysed in its intersectionality with class, caste and religion for shedding light on significant aspects of contemporary Indian society, economy and polity in a historical context. The course seeks to account for certain unique features of Indian masculinity, while scrupulously steering clear of exoticism and nativism. Accordingly, the emphasis throughout is on viewing various manifestations of masculinity in the country from a theoretically informed, critical, global perspective.
Themes:
The course will cover themes such as the following in the Indian context: Development of masculinity studies; History of masculinities; Male socialisation; Masculinities, sexualities, social stratification, religion, political economy and the State; Different forms of men’s mobilisation – conservative, profeminist and gay.
Additional information:
The course will be taught on a weekly basis in the lecture and seminar formats. It will involve the use of audio-visual as well as textual materials to facilitate the active participation of students in the classroom. There will be an examination at the end of the course. On AlmaWeb, this course might be found under “Wahlbereich der Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften.” Students of Anthropology and Indology are given priority.