Course Outline

School of General Education

Brac University

EMB 101: EMERGENCE OF BANGLADESH

A. Course General Information:

Course Code : EMB 101
Course Title : EMERGENCE OF BANGLADESH
Credit Hours : 3
Contact Hours/Week : 3
Category General Education (GenEd)
Type (Mandatory/Optional, Mandatory, Lecture
Lecture/Laboratory/Project…):
Prerequisites : None
Co-requisites: None

B. Course Catalog Description (Content):

The Emergence of Bangladesh course has been designed for students to understand their historic and
cultural roots as citizens of this land. It documents the colonial oppression of both Britain and (West)
Pakistan, and analyzes the political and ethnic subordination, cultural domination, and economic
exploitation we faced over the last two centuries. The course also traces the popular resistance against
feudalism and colonialism over this period, that have shaped our quest for social and economic justice and
our national consciousness and gave rise to our independence.
C. Rationale of the Course:
The Emergence of Bangladesh course is required of all Brac University students. It is intended to provide
students with a holistic and rigorous understanding of our identity as a nation and our aspirations towards
building a more democratic, inclusive, multi-cultural society that pursues social, ecological and gender
justice. Students will reflect on the principles of democracy, economic justice, secularism and respect for
ethnic differences that united us to struggle for a free country and relate such principles to formulating their
own vision for the future.
D. Course Objective:
The course intends to equip students with factual knowledge and analytical skills to learn and about the
antecedents of the history, politics, and economy of Bangladesh. The course highlights the popular struggles
against oppression during the last two centuries and the tremendous sacrifices that were made to win our
independence. The course also assists students in critically analyzing our core values of nationalism and
multiculturalism, democratic participation, economic justice, and identity and secularism to better articulate
a vision for the future of Bangladesh.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

SL. CO Description
Describe specific stages of Bangladesh’s political history, through the British colonial period
CO1
and the Pakistan period till the emergence of Bangladesh.
Identify the major struggles for economic and political freedom during the British and Pakistan
CO2
period.
Analyze the economic exploitation and the extraction of surplus by both the British and the
CO3
Pakistan state as well as the oppression of the zamindars.
Understand our War of Independence both in terms of the genocide that Pakistan committed as
CO4
well as the political and armed struggles we engaged in.
Reflect on the core principles of our struggles that are enshrined as the four pillars of our
CO5
Constitution.

E. Program Outcomes (POs):

SL. PO Description
Describe a range of local and global issues/knowledge/ideas and their interconnections, beyond
PO1 their major and minor

Demonstrate proficiency in university level language comprehension, analytical writing skills

PO2 and oral presentations

Apply knowledge towards problem solving in and outside the classroom, especially through
PO3 activities that contribute to the SDGs

Value diversity and inclusion in race, religion, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, economic and class
PO4
backgrounds
Exhibit sensitive and ethical Leadership through course material taught, engaged pedagogical
PO5 tools, class assignments, teamwork and exposure to real-life problems

F. Mapping of Course Outcomes (COs) with Program Outcomes (POs):

COs PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5
CO1 X X
CO2 X X X
CO3 X X
CO4 X X X
CO5 X X X X

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G. Course plan specifying content, COs, co-curricular activities (if any), teaching learning
and assessment strategy mapped with COs:
Week Topic Teaching- Assessment Corresponding
Class Learning Strategy COs
Strategy
1.1 Introduction Class discussion
Significance of the
January course, course outline,
29, 2023 course objectives,
course requirements
and assessment
procedures

1.2 Bengal from the 7th Free write on why Evaluation of

Century to the Battle history matters; student class CO1
January of Polashi performance.
31, 2023 The subcontinent after Or
the collapse of the
Guptas, King Sasanka What do you know
and the emergence of about the
‘Bengal’, The Age of Emergence of
the Pala Dynasty in Bangladesh?)
Bengal, c. 750 CE – c.
1150 CE, The Sen Class discussion.
Dynasty of Bengal, c.
1150 CE – c. 1206 CE,
The advent of Muslim
rule in Bengal, The
quasi-independent and
independent Bengal
Sultanates, Cultural
and religious
transformations in
Bengal, The evolution
of the Bengali language
and its Muslim
influences, The age of
Hussain Shah, The
advent of the Mughals,
The ‘Great Mughals’,
Bengal in Mughal
India, Society,
economic, cultural
transformations, The
death of Aurangzeb and
collapse of central rule
from Delhi,
Independent Bengal
under the Nawabs of

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 Murshidabad, The
Bengal economy on the
eve of Polashi, Europe
and the emerging
world-system, The
conquest of the
Americas, 1492 , The
Portuguese arrive in
the Indian subcontinent,
1498 , Mughal Civil
Wars and the growing
power of the British
East India Company,
Relations between
Bengal and the British
on the eve of Polashi
2.1 British India: Class discussion, Determining
1757-1857 Free write: whether students CO1
February The East India are able to capture CO2
5, Company in India and the dual sentiment CO3
2023 growth of its power: of the loss of
Battle of Polashi, Bengal to the
Dual Government British and the
1765-1770: Beginning seeming irrelevance
of the economic of the battle for the
exploitation, Regulating ordinary peasants.
Act of India, 1773: end
of Nawab’s authority,
Permanent Settlement
Act, 1793, Early
Reforms &
Repercussion, Early
resistance movements:
motives, involved
actors, leaders and
outcomes, The First
Indian War of
Independence,1857,
Consolidation of the
British rule,
Colonialism, economic
exploitation and the
resource drain from
India
2.2 British India:1858- Lecture, Class
1911 discussion, CO1
February The establishment of Free write: CO2
7, Crown Rule- 1858, Free Writing and CO3
2023 First partition of Presentation
Bengaland annulment
– 1905-1911, Creation

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 of All-India Muslim Take home Assessment of take
League and emergence assignment: 500 home assignment
of a separate Muslim words on a critical on the basis of how
political identity, assessment of an well students
Morley-Minto Reforms anti-colonial or anti- capture both the
and identity politics, feudal movement or success and the
The social reforms in a leader of such limitations of the
British India, movements. movements/
Understanding Students need to leaders, as well as
nationalism in British conduct some their use of
India: the reasons research of reference material
behind the rise of academic sources
nationalism in British (NOT WIKIPEDIA) 05 marks
India and variants in and correctly cite at
the expression of least two such
nationalism, Indian sources in their
National Congress: the paper. Students are
first political party to highly encouraged
achieve self-governing to consult more
rights from British, a books/scholarly
broad Nationalistic articles along with
approach, Mahatma the articles/chapters
Gandhi: his political provided on buX.
philosophy and
involvement in Indian Due February 18
politics
3.1 Class on Book Review Lecture, Class
What is a book Discussion.
February review/book analysis?
12, Discussion of TA will discuss how
2023 expectations. Names of to conduct research
the selected books for and how to cite
the section and
Interconnectedness of Assignment:
events. Basic usage of Submit book title
footnote citations. and one paragraph
on why the specific
book was selected.

Due: February 19
3.2 The opposition to Lecture, Class
British Rule in India: Discussion. . CO1
February Khilafat and Non- CO2
14, Cooperation Book Review: Class discussions CO3
2023 Movement, Hindu- Submit one page on
Muslim Unity, the historical
Swadeshi Movement, context of the book
Surjjo Sen, Krishak being reviewed; link
Proja Party: to the topic(s)
representing the discussed in class;
peasantry of Bengal provide at least two

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 against the Zamindars, academic
demanded absolute references.
proprietorship of lands Submission:
for peasants February 23
Netaji Subhas Chandra
Bose and the INA,
Tebagha Movement and
Ila Mitra
4.1 Colonial Attacks on In class: Grading on the
Language and Culture Group Work and basis of how CO1
February of Bangladesh Presentation historically CO2
19, Creation of Pakistan on (debating grounded, logical CO3
2023 the basis of religion, controversial and effective their
Pakistan’s idea of a statements). arguments are.
state language, Students will be
Cultural repression by provided with
the West Pakistanis, controversial
The language and statements that they
cultural movement will either defend or
against Pakistan, oppose.
Creation of Awami
Muslim League: Rise of Grading on the
a separate political basis of research,
platform for the link to class
Bengalis, 21 February material, clear and
1952: language logical presentation
martyrs. nationwide
spread of the Language 5 marks
Movement, Election of
1954, Brief period of
the coalition
government: Their
initiatives to ensure
economic and cultural
freedom of the
Bengalis. From Awami
Muslim League to
Awami League, a
secular posture.
5.1 and 5.2 VIVA-1 Assessment of
students’
February understanding of
26 and 28, and reflection on
2023 class material

6.1 Feedback on Book Feedback on the

March 5, review historical context
2023 assignment.

Take home
assignment: 500- 10 Marks

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 800 word interview
of someone on their
personal experience
of 1971.

Due date March 18

6.2 Capitalist Lecture, Class Student class

March 7, Development and Discussion. performance. CO3
2023 Regional Disparity in CO4
Pakistan Assessment based
Economic conditions in on relevant
East and West Pakistan Book Review research, historical
in 1947, Capitalist Assignment: insights and quality
Development in Submit 3-5 page of writing.
Pakistan: growing (1000-1500 words)
regional and income review (analytical Grading based on
inequalities, The summary) of the how well the paper
concept of two first half of the book captures the
economies, The Six personal feelings
Point Program and the Due date: March 23. and sentiments of
quest for regional someone living
autonomy through the military
occupation.

10 marks
8.1 Dictatorship and Lecture, class Student class
Struggles for discussion. performance. CO3
March 19, Democracy CO4
2023 The political system in
Pakistan (1947-54):
class representation,
political parties and
legislative process,
Early
disenfranchisement of
Bengalees in
government and
national decision
making, Provincial
Election of 1954, Jukto
Front and the
dissolution of the
provincial government,
Constitution of 1956:
key elements to ensure
WP dominance,
Declaration of martial
law in 1958 and
Pakistan under General
Ayub Khan, Student

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 movement against the
education policy,
India-Pakistan war of
1965 and the isolation
of East Pakistan, The 6
point program: 1966-
69, Opposition to WP
dominance in politics
and society, Student
movement of 1969, the
11 point program, and
the end of the Ayub
regime, Martial law
under Yahya, The
strengthening of the
nationalist movement
and quest for freedom,
8.2 The War of Lecture, Class Student class
Independence Discussion. performance. CO4
March 21, Brief review of the
2023 decades long struggle
for social, economic,
cultural and political
emancipation of the
people in Bangladesh
ending in the landslide
victory of the Awami
League in the 1970
elections, Review of the
non-cooperation
movement in March
1971, Operation search
light and the beginning
of the genocide of
Bengalees, The
declaration of
independence on March
26, 1971, Formation of
the Government–in-
exile, The Mukti Bahini
and the armed struggle
against Pakistan, Other
forces in the armed
struggle against
Pakistan, War crimes
and the role of
collaborators in aiding
the genocide and in the
killing of intellectuals,
The global support for
the cause of

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 Bangladesh, The role of
superpowers in the
struggle, The Indo-Pak
war in December and
the surrender of the
Pakistani forces,
Liberation Day;
December 16, 1971
9.1 Feedback on book Class discussion.
review submission.
March 28, Feedback on the
2022 first half.
Review of citation
rules.
9.2 Early Days of Free write: Assessment on the
Bangladesh: basis of how well CO5
March 30, Challenges and students capture
2022 Prospects Take-home how the specific
Conditions in war- Assessment: founding principle
ravaged Bangladesh, should be currently
Global politics and the Analyze why interpreted and to
impact on Bangladesh, Bangladesh adopted what extent we
Return of Nationalism, have been able to
Bangabandhu, Political Democracy, achieve the specific
and economic Secularism and constitutional
challenges of the new Socialism as the principle.
country, Making of the fundamental
1972 Constitution, Four principles of the
basic principles, Salient Constitution. 10 marks
Features of the 1972
Constitution, Major Due: April 6, 2023
Amendments
10.1 Development Trends Lecture, Class Student class
in Bangladesh Discussion, Group performance. CO5
April 2, The lives of the poor: work.
2023 the multidimensional
nature of poverty, Assessment based
Macroeconomic Final Book Review on student
indicators of due: April 13 understanding,
development, Social links to class topics,
indicators of insights and quality
development, The NGO of writing
movement in especially with
Bangladesh, Disaster regard to
management, organization and
Challenges to poverty student reflection.
reduction, The Covid
19 pandemic and the
road to recovery

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 10.2 Women as Agents of Lecture, Class Student class
Change Discussion, Group performance. CO5
April 4, work.
2023
Intensive In-class
writing Assignment
(What are
the three new things
about the emergence
of Bangladesh
that you have
learned over the
course of the
semester)

10.3 The Lives of the Poor Debate. Class Verbal Presentation

in Bangladesh: Discussion. on argumentative CO5
April 6, Introduction to BRAC topic.
2023 Programs
Student
presentation of their
book review and
critical reflections
on the subject
matter.
20 marks

11.1 Reflection on the In class: Student class

Liberation War Group Work and performance and CO4
April 9, Museum visit Presentation the reflection on
2023 (Students’ reflection their visit to
on their visit to liberation war
liberation war museum.
museum)

Writing reflection in 5 marks

group and
presentation.

Due:
Depending on the
date of visit
11.2 and Viva -2 One to one Assessment of
11.3 discussion students’
understanding of
Date: and reflection on
April 11 class material
and 13,
2023

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H. Learning Materials:
Required Readings
Lectures
1.Introduction
2. Bengal from the 7th Century to
the eve of the Battle of Plassey
3. British India: 1757-1857
4. British India: 1858-1911
5. British India: 1912-1947
6. Colonial Attacks on Language
and Culture
EMB101: Emergence of Bangladesh
Readings
No readings
1. Nitish Sengupta, Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal
from the Mahabharata to Mujib, India, Penguin Books, 2011.
Chapters: 3-6, 15, 16: Pages: 3-63; 144-153
2. Irfan Habib, The Agrarian System of Mughal India
Chapters: IV: Pages: 123-160
1.Marx, Karl and Friedrich Engels, “The British Rule in India”,
New-York Tribune, June 1953. (Available at
https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1853/06/25.htm)
2.Marx, Karl, “The Future Results of British Rule in India”,
New-York Tribune, August 1953. (Available at
https://marxists.catbull.com/archive/marx/works/1853/07/22.htm)
3.Bose, Sugata, and Ayesha Jalal, Modern South Asia: History,
Culture and Political Economy (New York and London:
Routledge, 2004), pp. 53-59
4.Schendel, Willem Van, A History of Bangladesh (New York:
Cambridge University Press, 2009), pp. 47-66
5.Sarkar, Sumit, Modern India: 1885-1947 (New Delhi: Pearson,
2014), Chapter 2, pp. 22-24
1. Ahmed, A. F. Salahuddin, “Religious and Social Reform
Movements in the Nineteenth Century”, in A. F. Salahuddin
Ahmed and Chowdhury, Bazlul Mobin (eds.), Bangladesh,
National Culture, and Heritage: An Introductory Reader (Dhaka:
Independent University Bangladesh, 2004), pp. 144-160
2.Bose, Sugata, and Ayesha Jalal, Modern South Asia: History,
Culture and Political Economy (New York and London:
Routledge, 2004), pp. 60-67
3.Banerjee-Dube, Ishita, A History of Modern India (New York:
Cambridge University Press, 2014), Chapter 3
4.Schendel, Willem van, A History of Bangladesh (New York:
Cambridge University Press, 2009), pp. 77-78
Bose, Sugata and Jalal, Ayesha, Modern South Asia: History,
Culture, Political Economy (New York and London: Routledge,
2004), pp. 78-119
1. Jalal, Ayesha, The Struggle for Pakistan: A Muslim Homeland
and Global Politics (Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap
Harvard University Press, 2014), Chapter 2
School of General Education Page 11 of 14

7. Capitalist Development and
Regional Disparity
8. Dictatorship and Struggles for
Democracy
09. The War of Independence
10. Early Days of Bangladesh:
Challenges and Prospects
11. Development Trends in
Bangladesh
12. Women as Agents of Change
13.The Lives of the Poor in
Bangladesh: Introduction to BRAC
Programs
I. Assessment and Evaluation:
Assessment Strategy
1. Worksheets, Presentations, and Exercises: Assigned worksheets and exercises will give students the
opportunity to track their learning, engage in analysis, and apply insights from the course material to
address empirical puzzles.
2. Book review: Each student will write a book review that is connected to the course content.
3. Viva voce.
EMB101: Emergence of Bangladesh
2. Schendel, Willem Van, A History of Bangladesh (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2009), Chapter 11, pp. 107-115
3. Umar, Badruddin, “The Language Movement, in History of
Bangladesh”, in Sirajul Islam (ed.), History of Bangladesh, 1704-
1971 (Volume I: Political History), (Dhaka: Asiatic Society of
Bangladesh, 2nd edition, 2000), pp. 427-467
Sobhan, Rehman, “Economic Basis of Bengali Nationalism”, in
Sirajul Islam (ed.), History of Bangladesh, 1704-1971 (Volume
II: Economic History), (Dhaka: Asiatic Society of Bangladesh,
2017), pp. 610-612, pp. 638-639, pp. 642-649
Talukder, Maniruzzaman, The Bangladesh Revolution and its
Aftermath (Dhaka: The University Press Limited, 2003), Chapter
2, pp. 9-35
1.Maniruzzaman, Talukder, The Bangladesh Revolution and Its
Aftermath (Dhaka: The University Press Limited, 1988), Chapter
6, pp. 108-140
2.Mizanur Rahman Shelley, The Emergence of Bangladesh in a
Multipolar World (Ph.D. thesis, School of Oriental and African
Studies, London, dt. unknown), Introductory chapter
1. Ahmed, Moudud, Bangladesh: Era of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
(Dhaka: The University Press Limited, 1983), Chapter 1
2.Jahan, Rounaq, “Bangladesh in 1972: Nation Building in a
New State”, Asian Survey, Vol. 13, No. 2, February 1973, pp.
199–210. (Available at www.jstor.org/stable/2642736)
3.Hossain, Kamal, Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice
(Dhaka: The University Press Limited, 2013), Chapter 9
School of General Education Page 12 of 14
Marks distribution:

Assignment Date Due Marks

1. Take Home: Assessment of a resistance movement February 7 February 18 5
(Counted as part of midterm)
2. In class: Group Work and Presentation February 19 February 19 5
(Debating controversial statements)
3. Book Review: one page write-up on the historical February 14, February 23 5
context of the book being reviewed (counted as part
of midterm)
4. Take Home: interview of someone’s experience of March 5 March 18 10
living through 1971
5. In class: Reflection on the Liberation War Museum Depending In the first 5
Visit on the day class after
of visit the visit
6. Book Review: 3-5 page (1000-1500 words) March 7 March 23 10
analytical summary of the first half of the book
7. Take Home: Analyze why Bangladesh adopted March 30 April 6 10
Nationalism, Democracy, Secularism and Socialism
as the fundamental principles of the Constitution.
8. Intensive In-class writing Assignment (What are April 4 April 4 5
the three new things about the emergence of
Bangladesh that you have learned over the course of
the semester)
9. Book Review: final report April 2 April 13 15
10. Viva Viva-1 10+10=20
(Counted as
part of
midterm):
February
26, 28

Viva-2:
April 11, 13
11. Attendance / Participation 10

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J. Make-up Procedures: As per University policy

K. Grading policy (subject to change):

Students’ work will be graded according to the system specified by the Brac University Undergraduate
Study and Examinations Regulations. In addition, faculty members are allowed to take into consideration
factors such as the class average and standard deviation in order to ensure the grades reflect students’ actual
class performance.

97-100 = A+ (4.0)

90 - 96 = A (4.0) Excellent

85 - <90 = A- (3.7)

80 - <85 = B+ (3.3)

75 - <80 = B (3.0) Good

70 - <75 = B- (2.7)

65 - <70 = C+ (2.3)

60 - <65 = C (2.0) Fair

57 - <60 = C- (1.7)

55 - <57 = D+ (1.3)

52 - <55 = D (1.0) Poor

50 - <52 = D- (0.7)

<50 = F (0.0) Failure

L. Course Coordinator: Prof. Syed M Hashemi (hashemi@bracu.ac.bd)

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