The Certificate in South Asian Languages and Civilizations is designed to help prepare CU students for careers with international companies and government agencies that are searching for employees with language skills in Hindi/Urdu and a broad understanding of South Asia. South Asia-comprising India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Tibet-has emerged as a key center of economic, political and cultural power in the 21st century. South Asia in ancient times drove the economy of Central and Southeast Asia, exported a cosmopolitan Sanskrit literary culture and was the spiritual home of Hinduism and Buddhism. South Asia in medieval times was a major hub of global trade and the pride of a wide-ranging Persianate civilization. Its Mughal Empire was far more populous and wealthy than the Ottomans and Safavids combined. South Asia today is home to over 100 officially recognized languages and most of the world's major religious traditions. With some 500 million speakers, Hindi/Urdu is one of the most popular languages in the world, alongside Mandarin, English and Spanish. Hindi-Urdu boasts thriving contemporary literary and media cultures, and-with Bollywood-the world's largest and most influential film industry.