Center for India & South Asia

The Center for India and South Asia (CISA) is the focal point for India and South Asia-related educational exchanges, teaching, research, and public engagement at Rollins College.

The DESI student org hosts a Diwali dinner.

Mission Statement

CISA and its associates promote five pillars of engagement that enable cross-cultural understanding of communities in India, South Asia, and the diaspora:

partnerships and student exchanges with Indian and South Asian universities and regional study abroad providers
integration of Indian and South Asian content into curricular and co-curricular programming
research and publications on India and South Asia
public seminars, academic conferences, and special events highlighting Indian and South Asian cultures, histories, spiritual traditions, politics, social and economic development, and contemporary issues
outreach to Indian and South Asian communities in central Florida

Through these activities, CISA serves as a forum for dialogue, collaboration, and the dissemination of knowledge about India, South Asia, and its communities within the evolving global landscape. Our primary goal is to enhance Rollins College’s role as a national and international leader in educational exchanges, research on India and South Asia, and public engagement.

Explore the Center for India and South Asia

Research & Publications

See research and publications on India and South Asia by CISA's associates.

See the Latest Research

Study Abroad

Rollins offers multiple study abroad opportunities for students to study Asian culture at the source.

See Study Abroad Opportunities

Rollins Courses Related to India and South Asia

The Center for India and South Asia promotes the variety of courses and co-curricular activities at Rollins that offer students insight into South Asian culture, and raise awareness of social, economic and political topics relating to India and South Asia. Here are a sample of the Rollins courses related to India and South Asia.

HIS 163 Modern East Asia
Take a close look at the modern transformations of East Asian countries while exploring how Western intrusion in the 19th century disrupted the traditional order and compelled change and adaptation.
HIS 367 U.S.-China Relations
Investigate U.S. and China relations from before the Opium War to present day, including early contacts, the formation of the Open Door Policy, the alliance during WWII, and current issues as strategic partners and competitors.
REL 113 Asian Religions
Examine the rich variety of religious practices that have helped shape the culture and discourse of many East and South Asian countries.
INB 311 Asian Business Environment
Examine the nature and development of capitalism and conducting business in Asia. Case studies investigate how differences in cultures and business practices affect international business.
REL 241 Buddhist Ethics
Explore Buddhism’s ethical principles, examining and assessing the ways in which Buddhism deals with ethical issues in the domains of nature, economics, war and peace, medicine, and sexuality.

Director