Indian Art and Music

This course is now accepting applications for the Winter 2013 term.

UMAIE Course Number:  T3911
SAU Course Equivalency:  +IS 210, Topics in International Studies (four credits)
Instructors: Dr Mark Harbold, Music, and Dr. Lynn Hill, Art, Elmhurst College, Illinois
Prerequisites:  None
Tentative Dates:  December 27, 2012 - January 21, 2013. SAU Spring semester begins January 16.
Location: India (Chennai and New Delhi)
Price:  To be determined. Price range will be within $6,000-$7,000.

Program description

Indian Art and Music is an interdisciplinary study of India's art, architecture, and music in their religious, classical, folk, and popular contexts. Madras Christian College, our host in Chennai, provides lectures and "hands-on" sessions with renowned Indian scholars, artists, and musicians. Students will make music, practice traditional art forms, learn yoga, and enjoy India's vegetarian-friendly cuisine. We will see concerts, a "Bollywood" movie, an artists' colony, Mahabalipuram's Dance Festival, and historic churches, temples, and mosques, ancient and modern. In Thanjavur and Madurai we will explore south Indian's most spectacular temple complexes, visit a traditional bronze workshop, and join 1,000 musicians at Tiruvaiyaru's revered Tyagaraja festival. Service-learning opportunities include a rural village visit and work with a foundation that teaches music to poor children. In Aurangabad we will see Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art at the magnificent Ajanta and Ellora cave temples. In Delhi we study north Indian art, music, and history from their ancient roots to the contemporary moment. We will visit the National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, India's oldest mosque, India Gate, Mughalai restaurants, a classical concert, and the Gandhi Smriti Museum (site of Gandhi's assassination), with a trip to the Taj Mahal as a special highlight. These activities offer rich, profound experiences of India's art and music and the contexts in which they grew and still flourish. This is a true third-world immersion experience that seeks to provide an authentic Indian experience. Student accommodations will be safe but often simple. We cannot always guarantee access to hot showers, western style toilets, or toilet paper.

What is included

• Round-trip airfare from Moline, Chicago or Minneapolis
• Airport transfers
• Visas (if applicable)
• Transportation to most course activities while abroad
• Lodging
• Continental breakfast daily (exceptions may apply)
• Other meals (as indicated on course syllabus)
• Entrance fees for required course activities
• Planned excursions
• Administrative costs
• International health insurance
• When rail passes or entrance fees are included, they are based on the utilization of youth rates (25 years or younger) and a valid university ID will be required to be shown at the entrance. Any additional amount incurred will be the participant's responsibility

What is not included

• Passport fees
• Transportation to/from airport
• Fees for textbooks and materials
• Meals (when not included in program fees)
• Personal baggage fees

How to apply

Priority Deadline: April 13, 2012
Complete the online study abroad application and submit a $500 application deposit to the Center for International Education (300 Ambrose Hall).

Applications will be accepted until October 1.
Students that apply after the April 13 Priority Deadline may find that their desired program is full.

• Follow the application instructions carefully.
• Applications will not be reviewed until all application materials have been received.
• Make checks payable to Seminars International.
• The $500 application deposit is deducted from the total program cost.
• If you are not accepted into the program, or if the program is cancelled, the application deposit is refundable.
• If you are accepted, the application deposit is non-refundable after September 17.

Payment deadlines

• November 5, 2012:  remaining balance due

Payment details

• Failure to meet payment deadlines may jeopardize your place in the program.
• Please submit your final payment to Student Account Services by November 5.
• The final payment is non-refundable after November 5.