South Asian Studies Program
Rutgers University established a South Asian Studies Program (SASP) in 2003. Faculty associated with SASP have chosen to define the term 'South Asia' broadly, to include the nations of Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Tibet, as well as the bordering nations of Afghanistan and Myanmar. SASP seeks to promote the study of this region and its diasporic communities through the development of an interdisciplinary set of courses, speakers' series, and public events.
Currently SASP offers an undergraduate minor in South Asian Studies as well as opportunities through the Study Abroad Program (Contact Study Abroad offices for more details). In addition, three South Asian languages are now being offered at Rutgers (Bengali, Hindi, and Sanskrit ). In the near future, we will be drawing up a strategic plan to set priorities for future faculty hires, graduate and undergraduate curriculum development, and other directions the Program might take. Several new faculty working on South Asian Studies in various departments have been hired including: Art History, English, Literature, Language, Cinema Studies, Religion and Geography.
Each spring, SASP conducts a Research/Travel Award competition that funds graduate and undergraduate students who are conducting research related to South Asia and/or the South Asian diaspora.
As a sign of its commitment to South Asian Studies, the Rutgers administration has allocated a significant amount of money to the improvement of our library holdings in the area of South Asia. An important supplement to the support being provided by the Rutgers administration is the Chakra Endowed Fund, a $25,000 endowment set up by anonymous donors from the community that will finance additional library holdings in the area of South Asia and awards for student research papers. The Fund is expected to be enhanced by contributions from other community members. Individuals interested in supporting SASP through the Chakra Endowed Fund or through some other means should contact the Director, Prof. Triveni Kuchi, by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . We would love to have as many people as possible involved in our exciting new Program. Suggestions for events to sponsor or ways to improve our curriculum are always welcome. Students and faculty members interested in helping us create a dynamic intellectual community should This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
