This course is meant to provide students with an introduction to the socio-political systems of contemporary India and its strategic emergence in the 21st century. It will critically explore the sources of India’s political, cultural and religious diversity and its progress towards democracy, development and military power. Students will engage with basic social science ideas and their specific applications to Indian dynamics, such as nationalism, identity, development, elections, power status-seeking, secularism, casteism and non-violence. The course will be livened up with sounds and visions as we plan to use video screenings, display of photographs, interviews and music recordings to help students familiarize with, and better construe, the dynamics of India and its multiple populations, including its diaspora.