India today is a country of contrasts: a modernizing economy in which village production continues to dominate, a vibrant democracy with an entrenched bureaucracy, a nuclear power in the place where nonviolent protest was born. The Indian economy has been described as "schizophrenic": its modern service sector, largely urban-based, stands in juxtaposition to rural India, where fields are plowed with bullocks and brick kilns dot the landscape. Road traffic, proceeding at multiple speeds, incorporates these different sectors, and Mercedes and Marutis share the roads with scooters, bicycles, and even camel-drawn carts. Even the entertainment sector exhibits these disparities, with older Bollywood productions portraying rather chaste interactions between the sexes and newer films and video games more risqué in their portrayal of men and women.
The fall ACM India program, located in Pune, is designed to provide students with an overview of these many aspects of Indian culture and society today. The program begins in mid-August, with a three-week orientation, in which students begin an "Introduction to India" core course, study Marathi language intensively, and draw up a plan of research for their independent study projects. The regular term begins in early September, where students continue the core course and Marathi language, choose one of three elective courses (in political science, sociology, or environmental studies), and begin to carry out their independent study projects. In each of the courses, classroom learning is augmented by weekly activities outside of the classroom, and students are also encouraged to volunteer with local organizations. The program organizes several program-sponsored overnight excursions to sites in and around Pune, while a one-week break in October provides opportunities to travel further afield in India.
In Pune, students live with Indian host families, who provide breakfast and dinner, as well as a packed lunch for the mid-day meal. This arrangement provides a window into Indian society that students would not otherwise have, and for many it is the highlight of their experience in India. Pune itself reflects the contrasts of India as a whole. A city of 3.5 million, it is an important center for the automobile and software industries of India, and is also known as “the Oxford of India,” a reference to the presence of the prestigious University of Pune. Its climate is far more pleasant than that of muggy Mumbai, and it has attracted many foreigners over the years who have come to the ashram of Bhagwan Rajneesh.
For more detailed information, please use the links located on the left-hand side of this page.
Quick Facts
- Term: Fall semester
- Language prerequisite: None
- Language of instruction: English (plus Marathi language class)
- Living arrangements: Host family
Application deadlines
March 15, 2010
Fall 2010 semester
If the deadline has passed and you are interested in applying, contact the ACM Office immediately. Late applications may be accepted on a space-available basis.
Related Programs
Program contacts
Heather Everst
Program Associate
205 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 220
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: 312.263.5000
heverst@acm.edu
More program contacts »
Publications & Resources
India program brochure
India Student Handbook - Fall 2009