Submitted by Kurt Spreyer on
This project involves research on the history of Punjabi Sikh communities in rural areas of California during the 20th century, focusing primarily on practices and technologies associated with agriculture and land use, and histories of community organizing and resistance. The research will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Naindeep Singh, Executive Director of the Jakara Movement, a grassroots community-building organization working to empower, educate, and organize Punjabi Sikhs and other marginalized communities.
Timeframe: The project was initiated during the Fall 2023 semester, and will carry forward through Spring 2024 and beyond. Applicants are expected to work through the Spring 2024 semester, and may be able to continue in the position in future semesters.
Course credit and time-commitment: The undergraduate researcher will enroll in an ESPM 199, Independent Study, course for a minimum of one unit, with the expectation that they will contribute at least 45 hours of work over the course of the semester.
The undergraduate researcher will collect and review materials from the Bancroft Library’s South Asians in North America collection, the Online Archive of California, and elsewhere, and develop content based on the materials.
Knowledge of the Punjabi language and experience conducting archival research would be helpful, but are not required.