It may be far from self-evident why the University of Michigan should offer Sikh Studies, or why Sikhs should donate a large amount of money to enable the University to do so. Yet, some reflection will show that the introduction of Sikh Studies into the University’s curriculum is in keeping with the University’s academic and social mission on the one hand while, on the other hand, it meets some important needs and justified desires of the Sikh community in North America,
- Importance of Sikh Studies from the University’s Perspective:
As the term “university” implies, it is the tradition and mission of institutions of higher learning to concern themselves with the study and teaching of the whole knowable universe, Admittedly, with the rapidly expanding fields of knowledge today, and with invite limited resources, there is no institution that can meet this ideal completely; even the greatest universities will fall short to some degree by not providing for research and teaching in one or the other area, Given the competition for scarce resources, three reasons can be cited why the University of Michigan should give preference 10 Sikh Studies over other pressing demands.
(a) University have always considered the great intellectual traditions of humanity, among them the world’s great religions, to constitute one of the most important areas of study. While somewhat younger in age and small in membership than some of the other great religions, Sikhism never the less counts among the import ant world religions, The University of Michigan already provides for scholarship in Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. The study and teaching of Sikhism will complement and complete this existing program and thus enrich the intellectual discourse that forms the essence of a fine university.
(b) The University of Michigan has a strong program of South Asian Studies. The introduction of Sikh Studies will contribute to this program in significant ways, since the history and contemporary affairs of South Asia, particularly India, cannot be adequately understood without taking into account the important contributions of the Sikh community.
(c) Finally, institutions of higher learning are obligated to further the education of our citizens so that they will be able to act in a formed and responsible manner in today’s globally interconnected world. It is this consideration that justifies, and calls for, the study of foreign languages and cultures at our universities, Major universities must be more comprehensive in this regard than smaller ones. Recent events have shown that Americans almost without exception are utterly uneducated about the nature of Sikh religion and culture, ‘Without doubt, this state of affairs is related to the fact that, until one year ago, there was not a single university on the North American continent that offered Sikh Studies, It is fitting, therefore, that the University of Michigan, one of the premier academic institutions in America, with a strong program in South Asian Studies, should be among the pioneers to include Sikh Studies in its curriculum.
- Importance of Sikh Studies from the Sikh Perspective
The points above argue the intellectual and academic merits of Sikh Studies, Few academics or university administrators would deny them. Yet, these arguments must eventually confront the dismal reality of limited resources and the abject inability of any university to offer all the subjects that are in principle meritorious. In cases like these, universities frequently turn to members or segments of the general community who have an interest of their own in seeing a certain subject represented at the university. In this way, alliances may be formed between universities and outside sponsors, based on common interest and mutual benefit: universes may, thus, offer their co-operation in establishing a new field of study or expanding an existing one with financial support contributed by committed community members.
A number of chairs and programs have been established at the University of Michigan in this way, based on endowments donated by corporations, private individuals, or groups. The majority of these are in medicine, engineering, and social sciences. Perhaps the closest parallel to the planned program in Sikh Studies is the Chair in Armenian Studies, established on an endowments contributed by prominent members of the Armenian community in Michigan.
What are the interests of Sikhs in having Sikhism represented at University of Michigan?
(a) Given the ethical importance and universal relevance of the teachings of Guru Nanak, it must be the desire of every devoted Sikh that this message be made accessible to as large an audience as possible. His teaching is important and meaningful far beyond the immediate circle of devout followers. Having Sikhism represented as a subject for research and teaching at a major university simultaneously associates with Sikhism a certain academic profile and prestige and makes its message accessible to a broad range of young people many of whom will be future social and political leaders. Even though academic teaching differs in its approach and goals from religious indoctrination, it is extremely important in that it fosters knowledge about Sikhism, understanding of its central precepts, and goodwill toward its goals and followers.
(b) Many members of the Sikh community have children who were born in America and who are being educated here, It is an inevitable concern of immigrant communities to preserve their traditions by passing them on to their children, This becomes increasingly difficult as younger generations grow up in a social environment that is not only uneducated and ‘unaware about their traditions but is also totally devoid of any reference to them in the educational process. True, Sikh parents can teach their children in their homes and gurdwaras about Sikhism and about their own cultural and historical roots. However, the teachings of the home should be complemented and reinforced by what children receive in schools, With a program in Sikh Studies at the University of Michigan, children of Sikh parents would not only be able to take courses on religion and culture in the context of their university education, but they would also be able to complement these courses with others more broadly dealing with Indian history, Indian languages and literatures, Indian society, Indian politics, Indian art, etc.
(c) For those few Americans who are aware of and acquainted wit, ‘Sikh members in their communities, it has been a remarkable experience to observe how successful most Sikhs have been in building their lives and businesses in this country. Yet, despite the evident economic success of the Sikhs, they have largely remained socially isolated. This relative social isolation springs from a pervasive ignorance about Sikhs and Sikhism in this part of the world. Yet, few things are as dangerous as ignorance, as it is the soil upon ‘which grow suspicion and hatred. ‘This must be a concern to the Sikh community. While there is no easy recipe to deal with this situation, the existence of a program in Sikh Studies at the University of Michigan would surely be a step in the right direction. It would not only help through its academic activities to erode the massive ignorance that now exists, but faculty and students in the program would establish a wealth of new personalized ties between the Sikhs and the community at large.
(d) Finally, representation of Sikh Studies at a major university such as the University of Michigan will have effects that reach far beyond the boundaries of the campus and of the state. Faculty members at the university in virtually any field are regularly called upon for expert ‘pinion and information by state and federal government, by the ‘press, by international agencies, by corporations and by private citizens, Publication programs established in conjunction with the Sikh Studies Program will carry knowledge about Sikhism to other academics and students around the nation and around the world as Well as to the general public and ‘special programs such as public seminars and conferences will give Sikhism and Sikhs a new kind of respectability, visibility and prominence.
When discussing with administrators at the University of Michigan the possibility of establishing a program in Sikh Studies, there was basically sympathy and goodwill toward the proposal. At the same time, there was grave concern not only over the potential political sensitivity of such a step but also ‘over its cost to the University, State and federal support for universities has been shrinking steadily, As a result, the University of Michigan has engaged in a difficult five-year process of internal reallocation of resources that entails, in some cases, major cuts in important programs. At the same time, the University has embarked on a vigorous campaign to generate private financial support for the maintenance of the traditional excellence of its existing programs, committing itself to a completely new program in Sikh Studies at this time is a significant and courageous decision by the University. It has been made in recognition of shared interests and mutual benefits to the University and the Sikh community, but it can be sustained only through the support of the Sikhs.
Karl L. Hutterer
Director,
South & South-East Asian Studies University of Michigan
FORFURTHERINFORMATION: Dr. Satnam S. Bhugra
1311 Redleaf Lane
East Lansing, Mi., 48823
(517) 332-5506
Dr. Virinder S. Grewal Sherwood, Williamston, MI (517) 655-4507
Article extracted from this publication >> July 25, 1986
