Course Objective #1

Identify the main attributes of India's geographic, religious, ethno-linguistic, and social diversity.

Course Objective #2

Gain content knowledge about the history of India from Independence and Partition until today.

Course Objective #3

Define significant issues facing India and find resources to explore them.

Course Logistics

Dates Fall 2026: Wednesday, March 10 to Tuesday, April 6, 2027 Grade Levels Supported: Especially for grades 6-12 Course Format: Online, asynchronous Professional Development Points (PDPs): 22.5 PDPs  Graduate Credit: 1 optional graduate credit available ($180) with credit accreditation through Southern New Hampshire University Fee: $750 (contact us at [email protected] to enroll in the course using a Purchase Order) This program provides content support for Grade 7, Unit 1 of Investigating History.

Sameera Anwar

My name is Sameera Anwar and I am currently a Middle School Language Arts teacher in Denver, Colorado. I bring over 15 years of teaching experience with a background spanning Social Studies, English, and Humanities. Raised in Bahrain to an Indian family before moving to the U.S. for college, I grew up navigating a rich blend of cultures—an experience that fuels my deep passion for global education both in and out of the classroom. I have long been fascinated by India, not only through my personal ancestry, but because it is a vibrant, complex, and diverse society that has increasingly been playing a pivotal role in global economics and politics. I am eager to explore engaging resources together and I look forward to exploring effective ways to bring this essential topic to life in the classroom.

Massachusetts Standards & Professional Alignment

[7.T1] Central and South Asia;  [WHII.T3] The global effects of 19th century imperialism; [WHII.T7] The politics of difference among people: conflicts, genocide, and terrorism

Course Overview

5 Chapters · 39 Lessons

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      Course Overview

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      Image Credits

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      Navigating Democracy, Diversity and Social Dynamics in Modern India Course Syllabus

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      Course Guidelines

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      Discussion Forum Guidelines

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      Graduate Credit Assignment & Registration Information

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      Sample Graduate Credit Assignment (Lesson Plan)

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      Session One Readings & Activities

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      Readings: Stereotypes and Complexities

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      Web Resource: Explore India's Diversity through Maps

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      Primary Source Feature: Exploring Images of India's People

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      Discussion Forum: Session One

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      Culminating Assignment: Classroom-Ready Resource on Modern India

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      Further Resources: Session One

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      Session Two Readings & Activities

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      Watch: The Story of India

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      Essay: Imperial Illusions by Amartya Sen

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      Primary Source Feature: Visions of India's Identity

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      Literary Connection: Partitions

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      Web Resources: India in Pictures and the 2024 Election

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      Discussion Forum: Session Two

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      Culminating Assignment: Classroom-Ready Resource on Modern India

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      Further Resources: Session Two

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      Session Three Readings & Activities

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      Readings: Competing Economic Priorities

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      Gig Economy

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      Graphic Novel Excerpt: River of Stories

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      Discussion Forum: Session Three

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      Culminating Assignment: Classroom-Ready Resource on Modern India

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      Further Resources: Session Three

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      Session Four Readings & Activities

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      Readings and Watchings: Social Issues

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      Web Resource: Examining Bollywood

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      Changemakers: The Better India

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      Culminating Assignment: Classroom-Ready Resource on Modern India

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      Discussion Forum: Culminating Assignment, Classroom-Ready Resource on Modern India

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      Further Resources: Session Four

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      Post-Course Survey

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      Graduate Credit Project Submission

What our Educators are Saying

Join hundreds of educators across Greater Boston (and beyond!) who trust Primary Source for engaging, high quality professional development.

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I have brought in so many resources, projects, and knowledge to the classroom because of these classes. My students have a richer, more intentional outlook on what we study.
 

 

The access to these courses is such an asset. Within my department, I have taught several different curricula, and Primary Source has been such a resource for me to help me feel more comfortable with historical context for texts that are new to me. 
 

 

Primary Source programs have introduced me to a variety of perspectives along with concrete strategies of how to incorporate them into my classroom. I leave every session with a lesson that I can immediately implement. 
 

 

About Primary Source

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