Recent News

Tamil Studies General Meeting

The Tamil Studies Coordinating Committee is holding a meeting for people to come together to reflect on recent progress for Tamil Studies and discuss future goals to expand the current curriculum and build a more sustainable program. This will also be a great opportunity to review the current state of our initiative and improvements that can be made in moving forward.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about this is invited to attend the General Meeting on:

Thursday February 28, 2008 @ 6pm - 8pm
University of Toronto, St. George Campus - Room BA 2135 (Bahen Centre)

To learn more, click here.

13.01.08
CTC Gala Dinner

Canadian Tamil Congress held its Annual Gala Dinner on January 13th 2008. The event showcased Tamil arts, culture and achievements within the community such as the establishment of Tamil Studies within the University of Toronto. The Canadian Tamil Congress and New College Principal Rick Halpern made announcements of significant advances taking place for Tamil Studies. Many of the attendees, who came from across Canada to attend the event, received the news with great enthusiasm. To learn more, click here.

15.11.07
Classes are a Success

Since September 2006, more than 120 students have taken either the introductory language course or the Tamil Studies course. According to course evaluations conducted by the Arts & Science Students Union, students have responded to the courses with exceptionally positive feedback and enthusiasm. To learn more, click here.

 

 

 


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The University of Toronto Tamil Students’ Association (UTTSA), with the support of the Tamil community, initiated this project in the Spring of 2003. Throughout this period, various University students, graduates, professionals and professors have played a key role in the research, consultation and promotions related to this project.

In the preliminary stage, the importance of a Tamil language course was promoted to university and college students through Tamil classes held by UTTSA. The curriculum for the classes was based on the University of California - Berkeley’s Tamil curriculum for teaching Tamil as a second language. The large attendance at these classes illustrated to the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto the needs of the Tamil student community.

As promotions and consultation continued, an initial proposal was given to the Department of South Asian Studies in January 2004. Recently in December 2004, UTTSA received approval for courses to commence in summer 2006.

The information detailed below is projected future activities with respect to the promotion of Tamil at the post-secondary level in Canada.

Short Term
To offer two undergraduate Tamil courses for Summer 2006 Introduction to Tamil (a language course), and Introduction to Tamil Studies (Society, Culture & History). This requires raising approximately $50,000 and ensuring strong enrolment. Nearly $15000 has already been raised.
Long Term
To offer a major in Tamil Studies At least six different courses in the Tamil Studies Field.
To offer a Department of Tamil Studies Over a dozen different courses, an academic journal, a Chairperson, and administrative staff.



Time Line of Progress
Spring/Summer 2002 * Suggestion of idea
* Initial Research & Consultation
November 2002 * First Consultation: Prof Chandrakanthan
Spring/Summer 2003 * Research & Contact-building
September - November 2003 * Fall term Tamil Classes
October 2003 * Meeting with TSA Executive
November 2003 * Second Consultation: Prof Chandrakanthan
December 2003 * Radio Interviews: CTBC & CTR
December 2003 – January 2004 * Winter Holiday Tamil Classes
December 2003 * TVI Interview: Winter Holiday Tamil Classes
January 2004 * Creation of Tamil Class mini-documentary
* Meeting: South Asian Studies Dept
January 2004 – March 2004 * Winter Term Tamil Classes
May 2004 * Presentation: CUTSU Meeting
* Presentation: TYO Fundraising Dinner
* TVI Interview: Tamil Studies
June 2004 * Creation of pamphlet, business cards, video
* Presentation: Tamil Literary Garden
* Presentation: UTSC Dinner Dance
July 2004 * Presentation: FeTNA, Baltimore
* Presentation: NTYO, Baltimore
* Meeting: Professor Pasupathy
* Meeting: Dr. Venkataramanan
August 2004 * Summer Holiday Tamil Classes
* Fundraiser: Ryerson TSA Summer BBQ
* Presentation: Tamil High Tech Expo Meeting
* Fundraiser: UTTSA Kalai Vizha
September 2004 * Consultation: Vice-Dean of Arts & Science
December 2004 * Approval by South Asian Studies Dept
March 2005 * Approval by New College Principal