Dr. Syed Hyder

Professor

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Biography

Syed Akbar Hyder is the Director of the South Asia Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Marlene Morton Meyerson Centennial Chair. His scholarly work focuses on South Asian and Middle Eastern literary traditions, including aesthetics, comparative literary traditions, religious reform, and mysticism. He has published numerous works, including the notable monographs 'Reliving Karbala: Martyrdom in South Asian Memory' and 'Qurratulain Hyder: Move.' Hyder's academic journey includes a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University and a doctorate in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University. Over the past 25 years, he has taught a variety of courses at the University of Texas at Austin and has also been recognized with prestigious teaching awards, including the Outstanding Graduate Teacher award in 2023. His primary appointment is in the Department of Asian Studies, with affiliations in Comparative Literature, Middle Eastern Studies, and Religious Studies. Hyder's research interests include the aesthetics of Urdu and Persian literature, as well as the intersections of gender and literary traditions.

Research Interests

Experience

Director

— Present

South Asia Institute, University of Texas at Austin • Austin, TX

Oversee the South Asia Institute's programming and initiatives, facilitating interdisciplinary research and collaboration.

Courses

Shia Islam: History and Resistance Sufism and Mystical Traditions of Islam Literary Theory in the Global South Gender and Sexuality in Urdu Hindi Partition Literature and Film Urdu Marsiya Aesthetics of Ghalib and Mir Philosophy and Poetry of Iqbal

Requirements for University of Texas at Austin

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:79
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

General requirements for the Graduate School at UT Austin apply to all programs unless otherwise specified.