For over 63 years, the Center for South Asia (CSA) at UW-Madison has reflected the diversity and global relevance of South Asian Studies. They organize the annual Conference on South Asia and offer a summer language institute, student organizations, and a wide variety of academic and outreach opportunities throughout the year. Additionally, CSA fosters collaboration with other area and global studies programs that explore the transnational movement of culture, people, and capital – factors crucial to understanding South Asia’s past and present. The Center for South Asia is a prestigious Title VI National Resource Center located within the Institute for Regional and International Studies—a unit of the International Division.
Academic opportunities
CSA provides a rich academic environment for students seeking to deepen their understanding of South Asia. In partnership with CALS and the WSB, CSA is developing a new study abroad program in India with a focus on International Business and Sustainable Development. In addition to the interdisciplinary BA certificate, CSA also directs the academic programming of the South Asia Summer Language Institute.
- Undergraduate certificate: The BA certificate equips undergraduates with valuable skills for graduate programs or careers related to South Asia. Completion of the certificate provides a concentration in the area through interdisciplinary training and language study (optional) that provides enhanced career opportunities and increased preparation for graduate study.
- South Asia Summer Language Institute (SASLI): SASLI is an 8-week intensive summer language program hosted at UW, welcoming students from a variety of disciplines and institutions from around the world to study one of 13 South Asian languages. The SASLI experience is enhanced with cultural workshops, guest speakers, social gatherings, and offers classes across language levels.
- Student Internships: Each year, CSA offers three grants for student internships in South Asia. The grant-funded internships are open to undergrads who apply for an internship through the International Internship Program (IIP).
CSA students have access to a wide range of courses across the university, including:
- ANTHRO 102: Archaeology and the Prehistoric World
- ASIAN 218: Health and Healing in South Asia
- ASIAN 370: Islam: Religion and Culture
Signature events and activities
Designed to deepen understanding of South Asia, CSA offers a suite of programs that cultivate growth and puts the Wisconsin Idea into action, including:
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Outreach activities
The Center for South Asia provides outreach activities for K-12 teachers, students, and community members:
Local: In collaboration with the UW Cinematheque, CSA offers free film screenings to the public. They further support K-12 educators with a lending library and a collection of resources on South Asian languages. CSA also offers Discovery Boxes, centered around recipients of the South Asia Book Award. These boxes provide educators, libraries, and community groups with engaging materials to enhance their programs and curriculum.
Statewide: CSA serves the people of Wisconsin by acting as a resource for information on South Asia. They provide school presentations, documentary film production and distribution, workbooks in less-commonly taught languages, and more. Through the Wisconsin Books Project, CSA provides funding for public library systems across Wisconsin and invites them to submit proposals for South Asia-focused books, materials, or programming to enable Wisconsin readers to deepen their understanding of South Asia.
International: CSA administers the South Asia Book Award (SABA). SABA awards up to three annual prizes to authors of outstanding children’s and young adult literature whose work portrays the experiences of South Asians or the South Asia diaspora. SABA is funded by the South Asia National Outreach Consortium and co-administered by CSA and IRIS NRC. Recognizing excellence in children’s and young adult literature, SABA attracts submissions from around the globe.
Fellowships and grants
CSA also provides a wide range of scholarships and grants, including but not limited to:
- SASLI Fee Remission Grants: SASLI offers two types of fee remissions to support student participation. A $1,000 fee remission is available to eligible applicants based on financial need, while competitive half and full fee remissions are awarded based on financial need and academic merit.
- Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS): FLAS fellowships are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the UW’s National Resource Centers to assist students in acquiring foreign language and either area or international studies competencies.
- Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) Grant: This two-year Department of Education grant supports undergraduate students participating in the Language Pathways Program, which funds two years of undergraduate South Asian language study at UW-Madison, followed by participation on one of three themed study abroad programs in India, with the first ever option to specialize in an International Business track.
Research
The Annual Conference on South Asia hosts scholars, students, and professionals from around the world in Madison. The four-day event includes a diverse breadth of South Asia-related topics, featuring research panels, lectures, performances, publishers, film screenings, and more. The conference is the largest of its kind and has grown every year since its inception in 1971, now welcoming over 1,200 attendees annually. In addition, CSA hosts a long-standing weekly Lunch Lecture Series, bringing the experiences and expertise of scholars and artists to the UW community, Madison, and the broader public via online video recordings.
Interested in learning more? Contact CSA below and follow them on their social media to stay up to date on the latest news and events!
Center for South Asia
203 Ingraham Hall
Email: info@southasia.wisc.edu
Phone: 608-262-4884
Address: 1155 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706
Web: southasia.wisc.edu
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