Nov. 6 Faculty Seminar Explores Bengali Women’s Domestic Expertise

Sangita Saha, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, will present the next faculty research seminar on Friday, Nov. 6, beginning at 3:10 p.m. in Loyola Science Center, room 343. Faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

Dr. Saha is a historian of South Asia, whose research focuses on colonialism and decolonization in the region, with interests in the histories of women, gender, and sexuality in colonial Bengal. She teaches courses on world history, modern India and South Asia, gender, consumption, market histories, and histories of global capitalism. 

Abstract: "What does it mean to be a professional, and must professional work always be paid? This talk explores these questions through the experiences of middle-class Bengali women in colonial India. Drawing on cookbooks, advertisements, and women's writings, I examine how women used the expanding market for food and household products to develop and demonstrate their expertise in cooking. I show how they sought recognition for their skills without necessarily turning cooking into paid work. Their experiences invite us to rethink the boundaries between home and workplace, domestic responsibilities and professional expertise, and women's changing roles in modern society."

For more information or to suggest a new topic, contact coordinator, Amelia Randich at amelia.randich@scranton.edu.