BA in South Asian Languages and Civilizations in Chicago United States | University of Chicago

The Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations (SALC) provides an undergraduate major culminating in a Bachelor of Arts degree through the Humanities Collegiate Division. Our curriculum incorporates social sciences via the civilization sequence, with students typically including social science and religious studies courses in their academic plans. SALC majors acquire comprehensive understanding of South Asian subcontinental literature and history (encompassing Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), along with competency in at least one regional language equivalent to a year or more of study. Available language options include Bangla (Bengali), Hindi, Marathi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Tibetan, and Urdu. The department strongly recommends participation in South Asian study abroad opportunities, like the South Asian Civilizations in India program (Pune). SALC coursework enhances students' abilities to critically analyze diverse texts (historical, literary, cinematic) while incorporating social science methodologies for examining South Asian cultures. This degree program's deep regional expertise in arts, culture, history, and politics, combined with refined analytical and language skills, opens doors to numerous professional pathways.