Introduction to Indian Knowledge Systems

Course Code (Credit):

CUTM1186(1-0-1)

Course Objectives:

  • The purpose of this course is to expose students of Technology and Management to different aspects of Indian society and culture. Students will develop an understanding of societal and cultural dimensions of the dynamic nature of society and the environment in which they will live and work as scientists, engineers and enterpreneurs. More specifically, they will get an appreciation of how societal and cultural issues interface with technology, science and business in the context of overall development of the country.

Learning Outcomes:

  • To develop an understanding of social environment
  • To develop an understanding of cultural environment
  • Understanding the linkages among social, cultural and scientifc/business environment

Course Syllabus:

Module I: Introduction to Indian Society

Indian Society - Roots of Indian Society; Social Structure – Rural and Urban Contexts; Social Institutions in Indian Society; Caste, Tribe, Dalits and Other Excluded Groups; Power and Conflicts.

Module II: Introduction to Culture in Indian Society

Basic understanding of culture in India; Languages and Literature in India; Culture Change and its Impact on Indian Society

Module III: Social Movements – tribal, women and environment

Reformers and Radicals– Rammohan Roy, Syed Ahmed Khan, Jyotirao Phule, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Tarabai Shinde, Dayananda Saraswati and Vivekananda Nurturing a Nation – M. K. Gandhi, Rabindra Nath Tagore, B R Ambedkar, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, EV Ramaswami, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Verrier Elwin Peasant, Tribal, Women and Environment movement

Module IV: Social Issues in Modern India

Poverty – multidimensional aspects; Gender issues in development; Constition of India: Slums; Informal sector; Child, Physically challenged

Module V: Science, Technology and Society

Appropriate Technology: Science, Technology and Development Linkage: Science and Technology Policy

Session Plan:

Session Topic Reference Link (if any)
1 Introduction to Indian Society; Social Structure – Urban & Rural; Social Institutions Indian Society & Culture (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Rural & Urban Structure (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Social Institutions (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
2 Caste and Class in India Caste & Class (PDF excerpt) :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
3 Tribes in India Tribes in India (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
4 Dalits, Power and Conflicts Dalits & Conflicts (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
5 Culture and Culture Change in India Culture Change (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
6 Social Movements in India; Makers of Modern India Social Movements (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
7 Poverty; Gender Issues in Development Poverty & Gender Issues (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
8 Slums; Informal Sector; Child Labour Slums & Child Labour (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
9 Appropriate Technology; Science & Technology Policy Appropriate Technology (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
10 Interlinkage: Science, Technology & Society; Feedback Session Science‑Society (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
Project Village Study (Group Fieldwork) Project Instructions (PDF) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}