Wooster in India

Fall Semester 2013 and December 28, 2013-January 11, 2014

Wooster in India is a fall semester course that includes an on-campus, academic component and an off-campus experience in India over winter break. Wooster in India: Exploring India at Home and Abroad Through the Arts serves to embrace a global perspective by examining the richness of the arts and culture in India during weekly meetings of the fall semester and abroad in a two-week field experience during winter break. Our travel focuses on the southern Indian regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Course sessions during the fall will provide students with an opportunity to develop an understanding of and deeper appreciation for classical and contemporary cultural and art practices. Theatre faculty, Shirley Huston-Findley, and dance faculty, Kim Tritt, will teach the seminar and lead students in India where they will be immersed in the observation, study, and performance of various traditions in dance, theatre, music, architecture, and folk arts while visiting important religious sites, artist villages, museums, and universities.

Academics

THTD 243: Exploring India at Home and Abroad Through the Arts

Through readings, discussions, films, videos, and guest lectures the fall semester course will meet twice weekly. Sessions focus on developing a foundational knowledge regarding the geography, religions, history, and cultural practices of India, as well as a more in depth awareness of the richness of the arts in their various forms. During the field experience, students will attend traditional festivals in Chennai, engage in folk arts in the village of Dakshinachitra, interact with Indian artists and scholars in Kerala Kalamandalam University of Arts and Culture, and participate in a community outreach project.

Prerequisites: NONE. Note: For Theatre and Dance majors this course may serve as the one additional History/Literature/Theory/Criticism course. Cross-listed with South Asian Studies. Fulfills Studies in Cultural Differences (C) and Arts and Humanities (AH) graduation requirements. 1.5 credits. (Offered Fall 2013)

Itinerary

Part I: On-Campus Seminar

Students must enroll in the Fall 2013 course THTD 243. Exploring India at Home and Abroad Through the Arts in order to participate in the off-campus India experience. The fall semester course will meet in a seminar atmosphere two days a week for the entire semester. Focus will be placed on developing a foundational knowledge regarding the geography, religions, history, and cultural practices of India, a more in depth awareness of the arts in their various forms, as well as creating an outreach project.

Part II: Off-Campus Experience

We will depart from the United States to Chennai, India on December 28, 2013 and arrive back on January 11, 2014.

In Chennai students will explore:

Traditional Indian theatre/dance festivals that occur during the last week of December and first week of January
Folk arts in Dakshinachitra Heritage Center, a cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of Southern India
Dance at Kalakshetra
Theatre practices with the classical Madras Players and contemporary Evam Theatre Company
Architectural sights, including the Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram, and Cholamandalam Artists Village
A student designed outreach project

In Kerala students will explore:

Classical dance, theatre, and music with artists and scholars at Kalamandalam University of Arts and Culture

Application Procedures

Participation in the Wooster in India Program is by application only. A cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 or above is expected. To apply to the Wooster in India Program, fill out an application form and send it electronically to Shirley Huston-Findley by February 18th 2013. Short interviews will be conducted with the strongest candidates. Participants will be chosen based on the quality of their applications, including the personal statement, information from references, and how the proposed trip fits into your four-year plan of study at the College and into your future plans.

Fees and Billing

The fee for the Wooster in India Program will be approximately $3000, although the final figure may be slightly lower or higher, depending on the number of student participants in the program. This fee includes all domestic flights within India, mandatory insurance, guides, vehicles and drivers. All accommodations, meals, and fees for the in-country experience are included in this price. Return transportation from Cleveland Hopkins to Wooster may also be provided.

Financial assistance will be available for students who have filed FAFSA and who have demonstrated financial need, as determined by the financial aid office. International students who cannot file FAFSA and require financial assistance should see Nicola Kille in the Center for Diversity and Global Engagement for more information.

A $500 non-refundable deposit will be due on April 1 2013 and will secure your placement in the course and on the trip. You will need to submit a Release of Liability form (signed by your parents) at the same time.

Students will be responsible for the following:

The international flight to and from India

A valid passport and Indian visa (Please see Nicola Kille in CDGE for more information)

All necessary immunizations

Personal items such as gifts and souvenirs.

Safety and Security

To maintain the safety and security of everyone in the program, we will evaluate the situation in India prior to departure. The College reserves the right to cancel the off-campus portion of the program if the region is deemed unsafe for travel. If we have to cancel the off-campus portion of the program we will refund as much of the program fee as possible (less the $500 non-refundable deposit).