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Explores questions of love and sex across two thousand years of Indian religious thought. The reading list includes some of the most famous voices in South Asian literary history. We will tour various genres: moral teachings, epic narrative, drama, devotional and mystical poetry, and modern fiction. Yes, we will read the Kama Sutra, and yes, there will be Bollywood films.

Prerequisites: Upper Division standing and one course from the following: RGST 19, 20, 140D, 158C, 159 G-H-J-K-L-M-N-O, 160A, 161D, 169 or equivalent; or instructor approval.

4

Units

Letter

Grading

1, 2, 3

Passtime

Upper division only

Level Limit

Letters and science

College
William Elison
4.2
16 reviews
Fall 2025 . Elison W N
GIRV 2128
T R
12:30 PM - 13:45 PM
Winter 2026 . T B A
387 1015
M W
12:30 PM - 13:45 PM
C LIT 162I Elison W N Spring 2019 Total: 2
C LIT 162I Elison W N Spring 2017 Total: 8
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16
4.2
RGST162R . 6 Months Ago

Prof Elison is very nice and approachable but he tends to ramble in lecture with no direction or relation to assignments/tests. The class was pretty disorganized but it was not difficult and he gave good projects and assignments. Would take him again just wish he was more structured.

0 helpful 0 unhelpful
RGST28 . 9 Months Ago

Elison bases his lectures off the readings and he doesn't have a structure with slides. Go to lecture to where he explains concepts. Class was pretty easy and sections were very engaging (w/ TA Emma Hanlon). Everything graded by TA so make sure to participate in class. Thought provoking and very interesting. Hard to fail.

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RGST28 . 11 Months Ago

I thought Gandhi class would be mildly interesting, but upon hearing Elison drone on about god knows what killed any interest I had. Lectures were convoluted and had no direction or structure because he would just say whatever with no slides. So many assigned readings and films that we didn't really need. EASY grading, but so boring.

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RGST28 . 1 Year, 10 Months Ago

Reading is the core of the class. You need to read and stay on top of the readings to do well in the exams. Quizes are open notes and free A. The final exam is graded by your TA. I thought I did pretty good and got an A+ on the final. Midterm I thought I got an A+ and got an A-. So your entire grade is dependent on your TA. William is coated tho.

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RGST28 . 1 Year, 11 Months Ago

i loved this class! one of the easiest GE's that most people don't know about. he makes his lectures interesting, and although not structured, he's very passionate. i barely did any of the assigned readings but as long as you pay attention in class you'll be fine. easily graded midterm, weekly take home quizzes and final on a topic of your choosing

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RGST162J . 3 Years Ago

Prof. Elison is great! His classes are interactive and thought-provoking. There are assigned readings and online quizzes alongside a couple papers, but everything is pretty manageable. Attendance is important, and lectures are discussion-driven and informative. Take his class!

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See all 16 reviews
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