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Syllabus of Introduction to Bangladesh Studies

Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
University of Dhaka

Course Duration: January 1, 2014 – June 15, 2014

Time and Location: 10.00 A.M.-1.30 P.M., Room No: 5001, Arts Building (4th Floor)
Instructor: Mr. Anurug Chakma, Lecturer, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies
E-mail: anurug.pacs_du@yahoo.com
Contact No: +880-0155-2607527
Office Hours: 10.00 A.M.-1.30 P.M.

Course Description

This course has been designed to help the students in obtaining comprehensive idea about the
history, culture and heritage of Bangladesh. It will introduce students with economy, society,
politics, diplomacy and foreign policy of Bangladesh. Students will learn about the challenges
and potentials of Bangladesh in shaping its peaceful and sustainable future. It will also assist the
students in assessing roles and contribution of Bangladesh in the regional and international
bodies which are dedicated to establish world peace.

Course Objectives
 Introduce students with rich history, culture and heritage of Bangladesh.
 Providing them in-depth knowledge on the major political events that shaped Bangladesh
as an independent sovereign state.
 Improve their understanding on political, economic and social development of
Bangladesh.
 Help them think critically and comprehensively about foreign policy of Bangladesh, its
relationship with other countries and its important roles in the international organizations
like UN, Commonwealth and SAARC etc.
 Increase understanding on the challenges and potentials of Bangladesh in shaping its
peaceful and sustainable future.

Course Requirements:

Mid-Term Exam
A mid-term exam is scheduled for this course. Exam questions will be drawn from the course
readings, guest lectures, and our discussions. The exam format is essay, so prepare to write. The
date of exam will be published in the notice board. Information on the exam requirements will be
provided in class. The exam is worth 20 mark of the total 100 mark.
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Class Test
The class test exam will be held on March 17, 2014. It may be changed. The topics of the class
test will be drawn from the class lectures. The exam is worth 20 mark of the total 100 mark.

Assignment/ Research Paper

A final paper is due at the mid of the semester (exact date TBA). The topic of the paper must be
drawn from the course readings or guest lectures. The submitted paper should be typed, and its
size should be between 5 and 7 pages, double spaced (you may add more pages for bibliography,
picture, graphs, etc.). The paper should be properly formatted using the Chicago style manual.
All academic rules of writing a paper apply. More information on the paper writing will be
provided in class. The paper is worth 10 mark of the total 100 mark.

Student Group Presentations

The class will be divided in several groups of three. Each group will pick a week for their group
presentation. The presentations will be based on the readings assigned for the week of their
presentation. In their presentations, the groups must demonstrate their command on the material
from the perspective of Bloom’s (1956) learning dimensions. Furthermore, they must use the
presentations to lead class discussion. This exercise is worth 5 mark of the total mark.

Class Attendance and Participation

Class attendance and participation is crucial to the success of this course. Your questions,
comments, and analysis are a vital part of the learning experience. This course will combine
lectures with seminar style discussions, in which the instructor guides the class’s discussion of
the readings. You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings. In
addition to normal classroom discussion, we will also set aside some time to talk specifically
about current events. This is a time for you to shine by demonstrating your knowledge about
what is going on in the world around us. Class attendance and participation is worth 5 mark of
the total 100 mark. If it becomes clear that students are not doing the assigned reading, and are
not prepared for class discussion, then the instructor will have to institute pop quizzes. These pop
quizzes will count toward your participation grade. Please help the instructor avoid having to
resort to punitive measures to encourage class discussion.

Final Exam
The final exam is scheduled for this course. Exam questions will be drawn from the course
readings, guest lectures, and our discussions. The exam format of the University will be
maintained. The date of exam will be published in the notice board. Information on the exam
requirements will be provided in class. The exam is worth 50 mark of the total 100 mark.

Grading Structure
Midterm Exam = 20 Mark, Final Paper = 10 Mark, Class Test = 10 Mark, Student group
presentations=5 Mark & Class Attendance and Participation = 5 Mark. The grading scale is: 4.00

A+ 80 and above A 75-80 Mark A- 70 – 75 Mark D 40 – 45 Mark

B+ 65 – 70 Mark B 60-65 Mark B- 55-60 Mark F below 40 Mark
C+ 50 – 55 Mark C 45-50 Mark
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Course Outline
This is a projected outline of the readings throughout the semester, though the instructor may
alter it as needed.
Week-1
Lecture-1

Overview of the syllabus and course expectations, discussion of the learning objectives of
the course, discussion of international studies as a discipline and/or interdisciplinary area
of study, discussion of how this course maps onto the B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies,
and discussion of the role of guest speakers.

Lecture-2: Ancient Period and Muslim Period of Bengal

Muhammad Shamsul Huq (1995), Bangladesh in International Politics, “Chapter-1:

Roots of Bangladesh: An Overview” The University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh, pp. 1-10.

Week-2

Lecture-1: British Period

Muhammad Shamsul Huq (1995), Bangladesh in International Politics, “Chapter-1:

Roots of Bangladesh: An Overview” The University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh, pp. 11-19.

Lecture-2: Pakistan Period: An Overview (1952-1971)

Muhammad Shamsul Huq (1995), Bangladesh in International Politics, “Chapter-1:

Roots of Bangladesh: An Overview” The University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh, pp. 19-32.

Week-3

Lecture-1: The Problem of National Integration Under Ayub Regime

Rounaq Jahan (2005), Bangladesh Politics: Problems and Issues, Chapter-2: Ten Years of
Ayub Khan and the Problem of National Integration, The University Press Limited,
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 15-37.

Lecture-2: Elite in Crisis During Pakistan Rule

Rounaq Jahan (2005), Bangladesh Politics: Problems and Issues, Chapter-3: Elite in
Crisis: The Failure of Mujib-Yaya-Bhutto Negotiations, the University Press Limited,
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 39-59.
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Week-4

Lecture-1: Nation-Building in the New State

Rounaq Jahan (2005), Bangladesh Politics: Problems and Issues, Chapter-6: Bangladesh
in 1972: Nation-Building in a New State, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh, pp. 103-116.
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Lecture-2: The Ideals and Philosophy of Constitution-Making of Bangladesh

Rounaq Jahan (2005), Bangladesh Politics: Problems and Issues, Chapter: Bangladesh:
Constitutional Experimentation in the Aftermath of Liberation, the University Press
Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 133-160.

Week -5

Lecture-1: Study on the Coup and Assassination of Mujib

Rounaq Jahan (2005), Bangladesh Politics: Problems and Issues, Chapter-9:

Bangbundhu and After: Conflict and Change in Bangladesh, the University Press
Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 165-178.

Lecture-2: Philosophy and Fundamental Changes of Zia Regime

Rounaq Jahan (2005), Bangladesh Politics: Problems and Issues, Chapter-3: The Zia
Regime: Once Again at the Starting Point, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh, pp. 227-247.

Week-6

Lecture-1: Review Class

Lecture-2: Constitution of Bangladesh

Md. Abdul Halim (2010), Constitution, Constitutional Law and Politics: Bangladesh
Perspective, Chapter-III and Chapter IV, CCB Foundation, Dhaka-1000, pp. 49-74.

Week-7

Lecture-1: Constitutional Amendments of Bangladesh

Md. Abdul Halim (2010), Constitution, Constitutional Law and Politics: Bangladesh
Perspective, Chapter VII: Amendment of the Constitution of Bengladesh, CCB
Foundation, Dhaka-1000, pp. 105-111.
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Lecture-2: Corruption and Good Governance in Bangladesh

Dr. Mohammad Johurul Islam and Syed Sarfaraj Hamid, Alleviating Corruption in
Bangladesh: An Agenda for Good Governance, in Dr. Mizanur Rahman (ed.) Human
Rights and Corruption, Empowerment through Law of the People (ELCOP), Dhaka-
1205, pp. 95-109.

Week-8

Lecture-1: Issues of Governance of Bangladesh

A M A Muhith (1999), Bangladesh in the Twenty-First Century: Towards an Industrial

Society, Chapter-14:Issue of Governance: Reorganizing Government in Bangladesh, the
University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 385-407.

Lecture-2: Bangladesh Economy

A M A Muhith (1999), Bangladesh in the Twenty-First Century: Towards an Industrial

Society, Chapter-5: The State of Bangladesh Economy, the University Press Limited,
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 101-116.

Week-9

Lecture-1: Internal Trade and External Trade

Haroun er Rashid (2005, updated edition), Economic Geography of Bangladesh, Chapter-

15: Internal Trade and External Trade, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh, pp. 151-162.

Lecture-2: Some Socio-Economic Issues of Bangladesh

Haroun er Rashid (2005, updated edition), Economic Geography of Bangladesh, Chapter-

15: Internal Trade and External Trade, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000,
Bangladesh, 267-282.

Week-10

Lecture-1: Class Test

Lecture-2: Fundamentalism in Bangladesh

Abul Barkat, Political Economy of Fundamentalism in Bangladesh, March 2013

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Bertil Litner, The Plight of Ethnic and Religious Minorities and the Rise of Islamic
Extremism in Bangladesh, Asia Pacific Media Service, 2003.

Week-11

Lecture-1: Ideas on Political and Ethnic Conflict in Bangladesh

Tariq Karim and C. Christine Fair , Bangladesh at the Crossroads, Special Report
181, United States Institute of Peace, January 2007.

G.H. Peiris, Political Conflict in Bangladesh, Ethnic Studies Report, Vol. XVI, ,
No. 1, January 1998.

Lecture-2: Review Class

Week-12

Lecture-1: Geographical Setting of Bangladesh

Haroun er Rashid (2005, updated edition), Economic Geography of Bangladesh, Chapter-

3: the Geographical Setting, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, 13-
36.

Lecture-2: Environmental Hazzards

K. B. Sajjadur Rashid (2008), Bangladesh: Resources and Environmental Profile,

Chapter-6: Environmental Hazards, A H Development Publishing House, New Market,
Dhaka-1205, pp. 71-99.

Week-13

Lecture-1: Environmental Challenges of Bangladesh

K. B. Sajjadur Rashid (2008), Bangladesh: Resources and Environmental Profile,

Chapter-6: Environmental Hazards, A H Development Publishing House, New Market,
Dhaka-1205, pp. 209-236.

Leture-2: Protection of the Fragile Environment of Bangladesh

A M A Muhith (1999), Bangladesh in the Twenty-First Century: Towards an Industrial

Society, Chapter-13: Protecting the Fragile Environment of Bangladesh, the University
Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 361-367.
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Week-14

Lecture-1: Bangladesh Foreign Policy: Realities and Challenges

Harun ur Rashid (2012, 2nd Edition), Bangladesh Foreign Policy: Realities, Priorities
and Challenges, Chapter-3: Bangladesh Foreign Policy, Academic Press and Publishers
Library, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh, pp. 25-37.

Lecture-2: Bangladesh Foreign Policy During Mujib-Zia-Ershad-Khaleda-Hasina Regime

Harun ur Rashid (2012, 2nd Edition), Bangladesh Foreign Policy: Realities, Priorities
and Challenges, Chapter-6: Bangladesh’s Relations with Various Countries, Academic
Press and Publishers Library, Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh, pp. 89-182..

Week-15

Lecture-1: Foreign Policy-Decision-Making Process in Bangladesh

Zaglul Haider (2008), The Changing Pattern of Bangladesh Foreign Policy: A
Comparative Study of Mujib and Zia Regimes, Chapter-2: Foreign Policy Decision-
Making Process in Bangladesh, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh,
pp. 11-24.

Lecture-2: Mid-Term

Week-16

Lecture-1: Bangladesh and the Muslim World

Zaglul Haider (2008), The Changing Pattern of Bangladesh Foreign Policy: A

Comparative Study of Mujib and Zia Regimes, Chapter-8: Bangladesh and the Muslim
World, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 11-24.

Lecture-2: Indo-Bangladesh Relations: Problems and Prospectus

Zaglul Haider (2008), The Changing Pattern of Bangladesh Foreign Policy: A

Comparative Study of Mujib and Zia Regimes, Chapter-3: Bangladesh-India Relations,
the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 27-51.

Week-17

Lecture-1: Bangladesh-US Relationship: Problems and Prospectus

Zaglul Haider (2008), The Changing Pattern of Bangladesh Foreign Policy: A

Comparative Study of Mujib and Zia Regimes, Chapter-5: Bangladesh-United States
Relations, the University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 97-127.
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Lecture-2: Bangladesh-Soviet Union Relations

Zaglul Haider (2008), The Changing Pattern of Bangladesh Foreign Policy: A

Comparative Study of Mujib and Zia Regimes, Chapter-: Bangladesh-India Relations, the
University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 27-51.

Week-18

Lecture-1: Bangladesh-China Relationship: Problems and Prospectus

Zaglul Haider (2008), The Changing Pattern of Bangladesh Foreign Policy: A

Comparative Study of Mujib and Zia Regimes, Chapter-: Bangladesh-China Relations, the
University Press Limited, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, pp. 165-175.

Lecture-2: Quiz on previous lectures

Week-19:

Lecture-1: Review Class

Lecture-2: Presentation of Group A (Roll: 1-6) and Group B (Roll: 7-13)

Week-21

Lecture-1: Presentation of Group C (Roll: 14-20) and Group D (Roll: 21-27)

Lecture-2: Presentation of Group E (Roll: 28-34) and Group F (35-41)

Week-22

Lecture-1: Presentation of Group G (Roll: 42-48) and Group H (Roll: 49-55)

Lecture-2: Presentation of Group I (Roll: 56-62) and Group J (Roll: 63-Last)

Final research paper/ Assignment is due during the final exam period (TBA)