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142050 VO Medicine and Science in Colonial South Asia (2026S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikawissenschaften, Südasien-, Tibet- und Buddhismusk

Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Cristina Pecchia

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Course duration: 13 April -- 29 June 2026
Monday, 11:30 am -- 13:30 pm (Seminar Room 1). Please note that there is no class on Monday 25 May due to Whit Monday.
The class scheduled for Monday, 15 June will now take place on THURSDAY, 18 JUNE, 11:30-13:30, in Seminarraum 1.

Monday 13.04. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 20.04. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 27.04. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 04.05. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 11.05. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 18.05. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 01.06. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 08.06. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Thursday 18.06. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25
Monday 22.06. 11:30 - 13:30 Seminarraum 1 ISTB UniCampus Hof 2 2B-O1-25

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course invites participants to explore significant developments in the intellectual history of South Asia, particularly the history of medicine and science during the colonial period. It aims to provide participants with a critical understanding of the basic concepts and their cultural antecedents. Furthermore, it seeks to foster a competence on related methodological approaches and the ability to reflect on a variety of topics from a South Asian perspective.
Topics of focus include the creation and transmission of knowledge, scholarly personae, Ayurveda, sciences at the interface with nationalism and related socio-cultural concerns. Classical readings on these topics are combined with more recent studies. Additionally, a selection of key primary texts is presented from various perspectives, shedding light on the life of these texts.

Regular attendance, regular readings, and targeted, productive discussion on the class topics are very welcome.

The course is in English, but discussions can be in German.

Assessment and permitted materials

The final examination consists of two parts: written examination (70%) and oral examination (30%).
The written examination is on the course topics. It lasts 90 minutes and takes place on site. Questions are to be answered in open-ended format.
The oral examination includes “bring your own reading”.
Please register for one of the four examination dates in advance.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Positive assessment with over 50% of the achievable points:
sufficient: 50-62
satisfactory: 63-75
good: 76-88
very good: 89-100

Examination topics

The examination is about the course topics. The list of topics and readings is available in Moodle.
For any question, please contact the lecturer by email.

Reading list

The list of readings is available in Moodle. All the readings are available in the Library of the University of Vienna or in open access repositories.

Association in the course directory

IMAK5a, BA13, EC 145 (STB)_3, EC 145 (STB)_1

Last modified: Th 25.06.2026 00:02