J234 – International Travel – India

International Reporting, India

Professor Geeta Anand, former Wall Street Journal and New York Times reporter.

Why has India failed to achieve its potential as a political and economic rival to China? Is it the failure of democracy? Is it a failure of leadership? Is India the prisoner of its governance structure of strong states and a weak center? Or is it prisoner of an intractable, sexist culture that still keeps most women at home? Ten years ago, the U.S. and the world’s top corporations began courting India, certain its economy would boom and it would soon become a challenger to China, and perhaps a more compliant partner. This hasn’t happened so far. Yes, India’s economy has been the fastest growing major economy in the world, but it hasn’t grown as rapidly as it did in previous years, and far, far too slow to lift its vast population out of poverty. And the economy has further slowed this year. The much-touted demographic dividend is in danger of becoming a demographic disaster.

After a quick overview of Indian history, the class will delve into the country’s major challenges today, including environmental, gender, health, economic, religious and security. And we’ll examine why Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn’t able to achieve his election promise of bringing “ache din,” or good days, to most Indians. And why, despite this dubious record, he remains immensely popular in India. All of this will be a prelude to the students each developing a story idea to report during a 10-day trip to India in March. When we return, we’ll edit the stories into publishable pieces. The class will meet Wednesday evenings from 6-9.

Application process: Send the following to Geeta Anand msgeetaanand@gmail.com by November 23rd.  1.Your J200 professor and his/her e-mail. .2. IF you are a second-year student also send the e-mail for your Master’s Project. 3. The media you will be working in – print, video or audio.

If you are a second year student, you should not apply unless your Master’s Project is three-quarters finished as this course will require you to travel during the spring break and the writing/producing of projects will happen quickly and intensely after we return.   The class list will be sent out by December 5.