GREAL

SEMESTER IN INDIA PROGRAM “India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition” – Mark Twain

(Miami Students - Spring Semester 2009)

Why Study in India?

Mark Twain said that India is “the one land that all men desire to see, and having seen once, by even a glimpse, would not give that glimpse for all the shows of all the rest of the globe combined” To experience India is to experience a “mini-world”. It’s population is 1.3 billions and it is the 4th largest economy. The Indian Constitution recognizes 18 official languages and people speak 325 languages and 1652 dialects. India publishes 5,600 dailies, 15,000 weeklies and 200,000 periodicals in 21 languages with a combined circulation of 142 million.

Hyderabad City: During the Spring Semester 2009 (January-May 2009) Miami University will conduct its second “Semester in India Program” in the University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad (South-Central India). Hyderabad was founded in the 16th century and mirrors India’s diversity of languages (Telugu, Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil etc), religions (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Jain), and traditions (agrarian, industrial and high-tech). Hyderabad is well connected by air, train, and road. A number of international flights – Lufthansa, K.L.M, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Air India, etc.- fly direct to Hyderabad.

University of Hyderabad: The University of Hyderabad is a “federal university” funded by the Government of India and is located in what is popularly known as “High Tech City,” “Cyberabad,” and “Indian Silicon Valley.” It is home for many of the world’s high-tech companies like Dell, IBM, Google, Infosys, Wipro, etc. The University has over 200 faculty and only 2000 full-time students. The University has 10 “Schools of Study”: School of Mathematics and Computer/Information Sciences; School of Physics; School of Chemistry, School of Life Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, School of Management Studies, School of Medical Sciences, School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, and S. N. School of Performing Arts, Fine Arts & Communication. In addition, the “Resource Centers” in the University include: Indira Gandhi Memorial Library, Central Instruments Laboratory, Computer Center, Center for Modeling Stimulation and Design, University Center for Earth and Space Sciences, Advanced Center of Research in High Energy Materials, Center for Cognitive Science, Center for Research and Education in Ageing. The medium of instruction is English.

Housing and Meals: Students will be housed in the new International Students House along with other U.S. and European students. The Tagore International house is air-conditioned. Every room is wired and there is also a common internet room. During the academic year 2008-2009, nearly 200 students from U.S.A/Europe are studying in the University of Hyderabad. The University and International House have their own water purifiers. Meals are specially prepared by Indian Chefs for the International students which include breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food is mostly Indian with an occasional American version. Vegetarian options are available. On week-ends the students may go outside the campus to the High Tech City’s Pizza Hut, Subway, etc.! McDonalds, Domino's , etc. also thrive in the city.

Semester-in-India Program (Resident) Director: Professor Rama Rao Pappu, a senior faculty in the Department of Philosophy, Miami University, will accompany the students to India. Professor Pappu is well acquaited with Hyderabad City and the University of Hyderabad’s faculty and administration. He and Mrs. Pappu will stay on the University campus to be of help to the students.

Calendar: The Spring 2010 program will last from a late December departure from U.S. to an early May return for a total of 16 weeks on campus and guided and escorted excursions in India.

Field Trips: Field trips in South India during the semester will include Chennai (Madras) and Pondicherry (a former French colonial town where French is spoken), Bangalore (India’s Silicon City) and Mysore (a former Princely city), Bombay (India’s commercial capital) and Goa (a former Portugese city and a tourist resort), and Delhi (India’s capital), Agra (Taj Mahal) and Jaipur (Pink City). A number of field trips in and around Hyderabad are planned every other week-end These include visits to Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salarjang Musem, iMaac Theatres, Film Studios and a day long trip to Nagarjuna Sagar (a Buddhist Pilgrim Place where Nagarjuna, the most famous Buddhist philosopher lived). As the University of Hyderabad does not have any academic breaks (like Spring Break) during the Semester, most of the visits will take place during weekends.

Admission and Enrollment Requirements: Please see Professor Pappu immediately if you plan to join the group of studens visiting India. He will advise you about your eligibility and will initiate the necessary paper work. Here are the GENERAL requirements for eligibility:

1. Minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (a lower average considered on a case-by-case basis)
2. Two years of college experience (second semester freshmen will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
3. Any past MU Code violations require a personal interview and eligibility review
4. No Hindi (or other Indian language) language pre-requisite . Students are encouraged to take any of the foreign (Indian) language offerings - Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu,Telugu, Kannada, Tamil – offered in the UoH
5. Students must register for full time of 16-18 credit hours.

(Miami Students at International Night with Dr and Mrs. Pappu)

University of Hyderabad Classes

Courses: Students are encouraged to take one course from Prof. Pappu. They may choose from a broad spectrum of courses offered by i) Professor Pappu of Miami University, ii) Faculty of the University of Hyderabad in various Schools, and iii) Independent Studies and practicum. Classes in the univesiy are small (faculty-sudent ratio is 1:10) and the student body is made up mostly of Indian and a few international students. All courses taken in the University of Hyderabad will be given transfer credit and those taken from Prof. Pappu will be given Miami Credit (will count for your GPA).

I ) Prof. Rama Rao Pappu will teach the following courses (tentative)

1. PHL-106 - Thought and Culture of India
2. PHL-307 - Gandhian Philosophy
3. PHL-392: Philosophy of Religion
4. PHL-377 - "Yoga : Theory and Practice" in conjunction with the Yoga Center on campus. Prof. Pappu will teach the Philosophy of Yoga and the Daily Yoga practice will be taught at the Yoga Center located on campus. By enrolling in the Yoga class, the students will, also be finishing a "Certificate Course in Yoga" offered by the University.

ii) Courses offered by the Univ. of Hyderabad: Students may enroll in regular university courses in a variety of disciplines such as Anthropology, Art, Art History, Business, Business and Management, Communications, Computer Science, Dance, Drama, Film Studies, Geography, History, Linguistics, Literature, Management, Political Science, Philosophy and Religion, natural and biological sciences. Examples of courses American and International students have taken in the past are:

• Anthropology: Indian Folk Culture; Theories of Social Structure; Ecological Anthropology, Applied Anthropology and Tribal Welfare; Medical Anthropology; Medicine, Health and Society; Indian Society; Introduction to Indian Folklore; Special Study in Anthropology
• Art: History of Art; Art and Architecture in Medieval India; History of Visual Art Tradition in India; Studio Practice; Art Studio Sculpture
• Business: Management Theory and Practice; Principles and Practice of Marketing; Special Study in Business Administration.
• Communication: Communication and Culture; Introduction to Film and Indian Film; Issues in Information and Communication Technologies; Analyzing Television; Introduction to Communications
• Dance and Theatre: Folk Theatre in India; Social Position : The Performer in Society; Introduction to Indian Classical Dance; Body, Culture and Performance; Introduction to Indian Dance : Kuchipudi.
• English: English in India; Women Writing : Writing Women; Gay Indian Poetry; Commonwealth Literature and Thought
• Environmental Science: Environment and Sustainable Development;
• Film Studies: Introduction to Film and Indian Film; Special Study in Film
• History: Marginality and Privilege in Early India; Religion, Society and Culture in Medieval India; Social Change in Modern India; Revolutionary Europe 1789-1848; Kashmir Problems and Perspectives: Historical Overview; Art and Architecture in Ancient India upto 600 AD; Economic History of India; Special Study in History
• Linguistics: Psycholinguistics, Systemic Phonology, Structuralism and Semiotics
• Political Science: Communal Conflict in India; Political Economy of Human Rights; Indian Foreign Policy; State and the Social Sector; Women's Movements in India; Political Parties in India; India in World Affairs; Religion and Politics in Modern India; International Political Economy; Special Study in Political Science
• Sociology: Sociology of Gender; South Asian Women in the Diaspora; Indian Diaspora; Sociology and Women's Studies.

You may visit the University of Hyderabad’s website for a complete list of their course offerings.

Note: The above courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences are those taken by American Students in the past. They are not exhaustive of the courses offered by the University of Hyderabad. They also do not include courses in the physical and natural sciences, information technology, etc.

iii. Independent Study: Enrolling for an Independent Study Course under a UoH faculty is popular with most International Students. These courses can be designed in such a way that the study involves both theory and practice. Thus, a Business Major can enroll for an Independent Study course on "Marketing or Management Strategies in Indian Business" "The Economics of Offshoring Practices" etc and can do his or her practicum in the neighboring HighTech companies. A Pre-Med student may enroll for an Independent Study course in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani or Siddha sytems of medicine. They may study the theory of medicine in the University and can get "hands on" experience in a local College of Ayurveda or Homeopathy. For Independent Study courses in Philosophy/Religion, Dance and Theatre, there are plenty of opportunities for “practical training” and immersing oneself in the culture.

iv. Languages: Acquaintance or proficiency in any of the Indian Languages is not a pre-requisite for admission to the Program, as English is widely spoken and understood in India. However, international students are encouraged to study any of the Indian language courses offered in the University of Hyderabad, thus fulfilling Miami University's foreign language requirement. There are excellent language departments which teach the following languages to International students: 1. Hindi at all levels, 2. Sanskrit at all levels, 3. Telugu at all levels, 4. Tamil up to the intermediate level.

v: Thematic Sequence: Students will have the opportunity to self-design and complete their Thematic Sequence courses under the Miami Plan during the Semester. The thematic sequence courses may be area-studies courses with a focus on India. Several possibilities to self-design the thematic sequences do exist.


(Miami Students with President, Vice-President and other officials of the Univ. of Hyderabad)

Estimated Program Budget:

The estimated program costs for the Miami-in-India Semester Program will be roughly equivalent to the estimated costs for attending Oxford Campus in Fall 2008.

A. Estimated Miami‐Billed Costs (2008‐2009 instructional and general fees cited)

(1) Instructional and General Fees. All federal financial aid and Miami scholarships apply to these instructional and general fees. (If you are an Ohio resident and now receive more than the $6,716 minimum ORS & OLS grant, subtract the larger amount from $12,654)

• Ohio resident: $5,721
• Non‐resident: $12,654

(2) Program Fee of $4200 paid by Miami to University of Hyderabad for these services and benefits. (This fee is enrollment‐contingent and based on 15 enrolled students. Fewer enrolled students will result in a marginally higher program fee for each student.)

• roundtrip airport transfer from Hyderabad Airport to the University of Hyderabad
• Miami pre‐departure and Hyderabad on‐site orientation programs
• HTH Study Abroad Medical Insurance Coverage (payment receipt is required)
• Full‐time enrollment (16 credit hours) at the University of Hyderabad
• double‐occupancy dormitory room in International Student House
• three specially‐prepared meals daily in the International Student House
• 15 days of guided excursions in Hyderabad on weekends, and tours in South India (Chennai‐formerly Madras, Pondicherry, Bangalore, Mysore ) and North India tours (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur)
• services of a fulltime resident director and student‐affairs staff
• support of a Miami faculty member on site during the semester

B. Estimated Variable Costs (dependent on individual choice and life style. These costs are paid individually either prior to departure, such as airfare, or on‐site in India)

(3) Visa application and delivery fees - $150
(4) Roundtrip airfare from U.S. to Hyderabad - $1600 (Airfare Grant of $600 plus additional $600 in 0% interest loan to each FAFSA‐eligible student)
(5) Local Transportation and campus bike rental - $225
(6) Miscellaneous personal expenses (laundry, shopping, entertainment, etc.) - $1000
(7) Books and supplies - $ 75

Application: Please download the interest application form and return to:

Prof. Rama Rao Pappu
Department of Philosophy
216-Hall Auditorium
Tel: 513-529-2439

© 2009 Miami University, Oxford, OH, 45056