Gandhi and Gandhism
HIS 350L (39375)/ANS 361 (31735)/RS 341 (43685)
Gail Minault
MW 3:30-5
GAR 1.134
Textbooks
Judith Brown, Gandhi: Prisoner of Hope
M.K. Gandhi, Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with
Truth
M.K. Gandhi, The Essential Writings (ed. by Judith Brown)
Joan Bondurant, The Conquest of Violence
This course will begin with a biographical account of Gandhi's life and work, and
proceeds from there to various interpretations of the man, his life, his philosophy, and his
influence. We will look at his role in the Indian nationalist movement, his influence on
the course of race relations in South Africa, and his impact on the thought of such leaders
as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela. We will also look at such topics as his
philosophy and techniques of non-violent protest, his views on women, and his economic
and social impact on independent India.
Requirements for the course include the weekly readings, which will be discussed
in class. Everyone has a different view of Gandhi, as you will see from the readings, and
I am sure this class will be no exception. If the readings are not done in time for class,
the discussion will fall flat, so please do the readings and be prepared to discuss them.
In addition to the required textbooks (above) there will be extra readings, available on
Blackboard (BB). Students will take turns leading the discussion of the readings each
week (see paper assignments for details). A report of 2-3 pp. on the reading and
discussion will be due one week later (no later – except for one exception at the time of
the mid-term papers). There will be a mid-term paper of 7-8 pp. - a book report on
Gandhi's Autobiography compared to Brown's biography, which will be due on March 9.
The final paper for the course will be a research paper of about 10-15 pp. and will be due
on May 4. Further details and tips on discussions and paper assignments are on a
separate sheet. Attendance and grading policies: Attendance will be taken and more
that 3 absences will impact your grade. Grading will be on the basis of the system of
pluses and minuses. Percentages for the grade: class participation, 20%; discussion
reports, 15% (if you volunteer to lead a discussion, you must show up!); mid-term paper,
25%; final paper, 40%. We will also have a class party at my home at the end of the
semester, details to be arranged.
I enjoy meeting my students personally and urge you to come by my office at
least once during the semester. In any case, you will need to discuss your research
projects with me. My office is GAR 3.118, office hours: MW 1:30-3:00, F 1:30-3 by
appointment, or at other times by appointment. Phone: 475-7214, or email:
[email protected]. Please do not call me at home.
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Reading Assignments
Jan. 18 - Introduction to the Course
Discussion of syllabus, requirements, etc.
Read: George Orwell, "Reflections on Gandhi" (BB)
I. Gandhi's Life
Jan. 23 - Early Life and Formative Influences
Read: Judith Brown, Gandhi: Prisoner of Hope, pp. 1-43.
Gandhi, Essential Writings, pp. ix-xxxiii.
Start reading Gandhi's Autobiography. It is long and deals with his life only down
to 1921. It is difficult to slice into weekly assignments, but since it is the
subject of the mid-term paper, it is wise to start it early.
Jan. 25 - Early Life (cont.)
Read: Howard Spodek, "On the Origins of Gandhi's Political Methodology: the
Heritage of Kathiawad and Gujarat," Jl. of Asian Studies (Feb. 1971): 36172 (BB).
Susanne Rudolph, “The New Courage: An Essay on Gandhi’s
Psychology,” World Politics (1963), 98-117 (BB).
Jan. 30-Feb. 1 - Gandhi in South Africa
Read (Mon.): Brown, Prisoner of Hope, pp. 43-94.
Continue reading the autobiography.
Read (Wed.): Essential Writings, pp. 1-38,
B.R. Nanda, "The Making of the Mahatma," and "The Fight Against
Racialism," from his Gandhi and His Critics, pp. 8-17, 27-33 (BB).
Feb. 6-8 - Return to India
Film: Biography: “Mahatma Gandhi”
Read (Mon.): Brown, POH, pp. 95-136.
Continue reading the autobiography.
Read (Wed.): Essential Writings, pp. 39-65.
Hugh Owen, "Organizing for the Rowlatt Satyagraha," from R. Kumar,
Essays in Gandhian Politics, pp. 64-92 (BB).
Feb. 13-15- Non-Cooperation
Read (Mon): Brown, POH, pp. 139-213.
Essential Writings, pp. 67-105.
Continue reading the autobiography.
Read (Wed.): Shahid Amin, "Gandhi as Mahatma," from T. Metcalf, Modern
India (2nd edn.), pp. 342-371 (BB). (cont. next p.)
Essential Writings, pp. 258-281.
Susan Bean, "Gandhi and Khadi, the Fabric of Indian Independence,"
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from Weiner and Schneider, Cloth and Human Experience, pp. 355-76
(BB).
Feb. 20-22 - Civil Disobedience
Read (Mon.): Brown, POH, pp. 214-260.
Finish the autobiography if you haven't already.
Read (Wed.): Essential writings, pp. 105-161.
Partha Chatterjee, “The Moment of Manoeuvre: Gandhi and the Critique
of Civil Society,” from his Nationalist Thought & the Colonial World, pp.
85-102 (BB).
Feb. 27-29 - Constructive Work
Read (Mon.): Brown, POH, pp. 261-77, 281-313.
Essential Writings, pp. 161-228.
Read (Wed.): B.R. Nanda, "Gandhi and the Caste System," from Gandhi and His
Critics, pp. 18-26 (BB).
B.R. Ambedkar, "What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the
Untouchables," from M.D. Lewis, Gandhi, pp. 47-54 (BB).
Eleanor Zelliot, "Gandhi and Ambedkar: A Study in Leadership," from
J.M. Mahar, Untouchables in Contemporary India, pp. 69-95 (BB).
Mar. 5-7 – War, Quit India
Read (Mon.): Brown, POH, pp. 314-58.
Read (Wed.): Essential Writings, pp. 281-307.
F.G. Hutchins, India’s Revolution: Gandhi and the Quit India Movement,
pp. 180-216 (BB).
N.B. Mid-term Papers Due Friday, March 9, by 5 PM (see separate sheet)
Spring Break
Mar. 19-21 - Independence, Assassination
Read (Mon.): Brown, POH, pp. 359-94.
Reminder: Research paper topics due by March 28.
Read (Wed.): Nanda, "Gandhi and the Partition of India," from Gandhi and His
Critics, pp. 77-97 (BB).
Ashish Nandy, "Final Encounter: The Politics of the Assassination of
Gandhi," from his At the Edge of Psychology, pp. 70-98 (BB).
II. Gandhism: Thought and Action
Mar 26-28 - What is Satyagraha?
NB: Research topics due 3/28
Read (Mon.): Joan Bondurant, Conquest of Violence, chs. 1-2.
Read (Wed.): Essential Writings, pp. 309-41.
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Donald E. Smith, "Gandhi, Hinduism, and Mass Politics," from his
Religion and Political Modernization, pp. 135-46 (BB).
Nanda, "Religion and Politics," from Gandhi and His Critics, pp. 72-76
(BB).
Apr. 2-4 - Gandhian Thought, Disciples and Critics
NB: Preliminary bibliographies for research papers due 4/4
Read (Mon.): Bondurant, chs. 3-4.
Read (Wed.): Essential Writings, pp. 341-73.
Raj Krishna, "The Nehru-Gandhi Polarity and Economic Policy," from
Gandhi and Nehru, pp. 51-64 (BB).
Apr. 9-11 – Gandhian Thought (cont.) and Marxist Critics
Read (Mon.): Bondurant, chs. 5-6.
Read (Wed.): R.P. Dutt, "Gandhi and the National Movement: A Marxist View;"
and E.M.S. Namboodiripad and Hiren Mukherjee, "The Communist
Reappraisal of Gandhi," both in M.D. Lewis, Gandhi, pp. 28-43; 74-84
(BB).
Apr. 16-18 - Gandhi and Women
Read (Mon.): Essential Writings, pp. 228-258.
Maria Mies, "Indian Women and Leadership," Bulletin of Concerned
Asian Scholars (March, 1975): 56-66 (BB)
Read (Wed.): Sudhir Kakar, “Gandhi and Women” from his Intimate Relations:
Exploring Indian Sexuality, pp. 85-128 + notes (BB).
Apr. 23-25 - Is Gandhism Exportable?
Film Mon: “Eyes on the Prize,” Part IV; disc. of film and readings Wed.
Reading for this week: Martin Luther King, Jr., Stride Toward Freedom: The
Montgomery Story, pp. 72-88 (BB).
Anthony Lewis, “Mandela Behind the Saint,” NY Times Magazine, March
23, 1997 (BB).
Apr. 30-May 2 - No class Monday – work on your papers
*** Class dinner party Wed. – arrangements TBA
Final Papers due Friday, May 4, by 5 PM.