Gandhian Thought and Communication

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Certificate Available
Effort

10 weeks, 1 hour a week
Sessions

Self-Paced
Level

Beginner
Subtitles

English

Found in

Overview

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This course explores the continuing relevance of Gandhian philosophy in communication, media, and activism. Learners will examine Gandhi’s critique of modernity, nationalism, religion, and Westernization through key works such as Hind Swaraj and The Story of My Experiments with Truth. The course highlights Gandhi’s role as a journalist, communicator, and leader of non-violent resistance movements. Participants will study how Gandhian ideas shaped labor movements, public communication, and mass mobilization strategies. The course also explores the representation of Gandhi in popular cinema, social media, and Web 2.0 culture, showing how his philosophies continue to influence contemporary activism and digital civil disobedience movements worldwide. Combining historical theory with modern communication practices, this course is ideal for learners interested in media, humanities, social sciences, and activism. A basic understanding of communication or modern history is helpful but not required. This course is based on the book, Gandhian Thought and Communication, by Biswajit Das. Copyright ©2020 by Sage Publications Limited. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial technologies or similar technologies. Published by Sage Publications Limited, London. Used by arrangement with Sage Publications Limited.

Syllabus

Nationalism, Religion and the Critique of Modernity: Gandhi's Hind Swaraj

This module delves into Gandhi's critical perspective on Western nationalism and modernity, highlighting his unique reinterpretation through Indian cultural and religious frameworks. Learners will explore how Gandhi's Hind Swaraj challenges prevailing notions of national identity and offers an alternative rooted in spiritual and ethical values.

Some Contextual Reflections on Hind Swaraj: A Critique of ‘Modernity' and an Argument for Indian Modern Consciousness

This module explores Gandhi's Hind Swaraj in its historical and intellectual context, focusing on its critique of Western modernity and its vision for an Indian approach to self-reliance and political consciousness. Learners will gain insight into the philosophical arguments presented by Gandhi and their implications for governance and identity in India.

Confession as Public Communication: Reflections on Gandhi's The Story of My Experiments with Truth

This module explores Gandhi's use of confession as a form of public communication and its influence on democratic practices in India. Learners will analyze the intersections of personal narrative, political activism, and the evolving nature of democracy through historical and contemporary examples. The readings provide insights into the dynamics between formal politics, apolitical movements, and the role of individual agency in shaping public discourse.

An Unfinished Communication: Gandhi and the Ahmedabad Labour Strike, 1918

This module explores Gandhi's communication methods during the 1918 Ahmedabad labour strike, highlighting the use of satyagraha in mobilizing textile workers. Learners will gain insights into the strategies that shaped labor movements and the formation of the Textile Labour Association.

Multi-verse of Gandhi's Charkha: Spinning Experiences and the Question of Information

This module explores the symbolic and political significance of Gandhi's charkha, examining how language, historical narratives, and cultural interpretations shape our understanding of Gandhian symbols. Learners will analyze the evolution of the charkha's meaning and its impact on both popular and political discourses. Through critical readings, students will gain insight into the complexities of interpreting historical figures and their symbols.

Gandhi: Journalist, Communicator and Satyagrahi

This module explores Mahatma Gandhi's innovative approaches to mass communication, including his use of journalism, symbolic actions, and grassroots organization. Learners will examine how Gandhi engaged diverse audiences and fostered two-way communication, even with limited media resources. The module also highlights the role of prayer meetings and prolific writing in shaping public opinion and mobilizing communities.

Munna and Gandhi: Rethinking Gandhi, ‘Gandhigiri' and Popular Hindi Cinema

This module explores how Gandhi's principles, particularly fearlessness and ethical action, are represented and reimagined in popular Hindi cinema through the character of Munna Bhai. Learners will analyze the cultural impact of 'Gandhigiri' and examine the reasons behind Gandhi's enduring relevance in contemporary media. The module also investigates the branding of Gandhian values and their resonance in a consumer-driven society.

Reading Gandhi with/in Popular Cinema: A Pedagogue's Perspective

This module explores how Gandhi is represented in Hindi cinema and academic settings, examining the interplay between popular culture and educational narratives. Learners will compare different methods of knowledge production and reflect on the pedagogical challenges of teaching about historical figures like Gandhi.

The Rhizomatic Constructions of Gandhi on Web 2.0

This module explores how Gandhi's image and philosophy are reinterpreted and reconstructed on participatory digital platforms, using Deleuze and Guattari's rhizome theory as a framework. Learners will investigate the dynamic, interconnected nature of online discourse and the multiplicity of Gandhi's digital presence.

Digital Civil Disobedience Movement: Revisiting Gandhian Thoughts in an International Commune

This module explores how Gandhian principles such as non-violence, self-sufficiency, and inclusive governance are interpreted and practiced within the multicultural community of Auroville. Learners will examine the intersection of digital activism, decentralized power, and sustainable development in the context of contemporary civil disobedience. Through case studies and forum analyses, the module highlights both the challenges and opportunities of applying Gandhian thought in a modern, international commune.