Religion 48 - Hinduism

COURSE DESCRIPTION
 

This course introduces students to the religious and philosophical tradition of Hinduism. The course will familiarize students with its history, scriptures, social structure, and beliefs through readings from primary texts, lectures, videos, website analysis, and class discussions. Even though the course will utilize a number of different approaches, priority will be given to a textual and conceptual methodology. Using a selection of primary and secondary texts, it will analyze the Hindu response to common religious topics and problems, such as the absolute, the notion of self, the problem of human existence, as well as soteriological and thical issues. It will futher explore contemporary issues in Hinduism such as Hindu nationalism, the status of women in Hinduism, Hindu universalism, and Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence. Particular emphasis will be given to the revival of Hinduism at the beginning of the twentieth century and its conceptual, soteriologoical, and social implications.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY
 

It is the underlying philosophy of this course that learning is a dialogical process. In this sense, the course will combine lectures, group work, class discussions, and individual projects to examine the basic scriptures, concepts, and practices of Hinduism and Buddhism. Students will actively participate in the investigation of these traditions and apply the material and skills presented in this course to their academic interests and to contemporary issues. Students will thus not only contribute to the course but also shape it through active participation in the classroom, questions, email contributions, and their research projects. While the course does not presupose any prior knowledge of the intellectual heritage, history, and languages of India, it will demand a certain commitment, openness, and mental effort to explore "new" ideas and to think through a variety of world views and responses to existential questions.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
 

1. Students will exhibit an appreciation of the diversity, wealth, and profundity of the Hindu religious tradition.
2. Students will exhibit a familiarity with the fundamental texts, concepts, beliefs, practices, and controversial topics of Hinduism.
3. Students will discern and appreciate the intellectual and ethical achievements of Hinduism.
4. Students will actively and critically engage with the religious heritage of Hinduism in projects, group work, and class discussions.
5. Students will exhibit a fundamental knowledge of the methodologies and difficulties involved in the study of Hinduism.
6. The students will improve their skills in critical thinking and communicating ideas.

COURSE TEXTS:

Radhakrishnan & More: A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy
Narasimha:The Mahabharata (translation)
Buck: Mahabharata (summary)
Radhakrishnan: Basic writings
Mukherjee: Women in Hinduism-Normative Models.
Viveknanda: Raja Yoga
 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
 

Attendance, participation (in the classroom and the discussion group alike), reading, pop quizzes, and presentations	10% of course grade
3 short exams (20 minutes each)	30% of course grade
4 short papers and presentations	60% of course grade

            Attendance and Participation

• This course will not only cover a variety of different Hindu schools, scriptures, and topics, it will also introduce the students to new world views. In addition, the course cannot but refer to at least 5500 years history, which, for the most part, is not taught in the standard curricula of the U.S. Therefore, it is pivotal that students tdo the reading as well as tattend class discussions and lectures. If necessary, unannounced quizzes will test reading assignments and prepare for the exams.
• If a student misses a class session, it is the student's responsibility to collect all relevant information and material of this particular class session. In general, the students are encouraged to inform the instructor if they expect to miss a class session and to discuss with the instructor ways to make up for it. A total of more than two abscences will reflect negatively on the final grade. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class.
• Deadlines are binding. If a student would like an extension on a deadline, s/he is expected to contact the instructor prior to the respective date and time. In cases of unforseen events such as emergencies official documentation is required.
• As mentioned above, it is the philosophy of the course that learning is a dialogical process. Thus, active participation of the individual students is pivotal.
• Finally, the students are required to participate in discussion group on the website of the class.


Presentation
 

• To reduce the reading load for the individual student, groups or individuals will present selected sections from the textbooks. The presentations are expected to address the content, context, and concepts of the readings in question.
• Grading: one out of three: C, two out of three: B, three out of three :A.


Exams

•  Historical background and terminology necessary to contextualize and interpret coure readings will be tested in three short exams.
              1) Philosophical Hinduism
              2) Epic Hinduism
              3) Hinduism Today
• Background will be provided by lectures, reference books on reserve, and the webpage for religion 40.


Short Papers
 

• Students are expected to write a 4-5 page paper on a special topic within each course section. Engage critically with the theme that intrigued you most. Papers are due the first day of the subsequent section. First draft and revisions PRIOR to due date are encouraged.
• Grading: Assuming that the reflection paper fulfills the formal requirements of academic work, following criteria apply:


               1)Summary of the sources:C
               2)Presentation of an idea/concept or historical event/persons :B
               3)Developement of an idea or insight from your research:A

Students are encouraged to discuss their grade with the instructor within one week of the return o individual assignments.

COURSE SCHEDULE
 

DATE	TOPIC	READINGS
8/31	Introduction: What is Hinduism:	excerpt from Radhakrishnan's basic writings pp.69-110
9/5-9/21	Philosphical Hinduism: The Upanishads and the Systems	Radhakrishnan's Basic Writings:111-186, excerpts from the Sourcebook, pp37-98,356,576
9/5	ultimate reality	Radhakrishnan' Basic Writings pp.114-132
9/7	self or SELF	Radhadrishnan's Basic Wriings pp.132-138,148-153
9/12	the phenomenal world	Radhakrishnan's Basic Writings: 138-148,153-169
9/14	life after death	Radhakrishnan's basic Writings:169-186 Vivekananda pp.250-267
9/19-9/21	the systems	short paper#1. interpret the upanishads through the lense of one "system":Samkhya, Advaita Vedanta, or Vaisishisa-Advaita Vedanta
9/26	Hindu Universalism	excerpts from Radhakrishnan's basic writings. The Religion:385-397 excerpts from sourcebook:610-638
9/28	Hindu Universalism	the world :Radhakrishanan's basic writings The World:309-330
	EXAM 1
10/3-10/26	Epic Hinduism	excerpts from Mahabharata, excerpts from Radhakrishnan's basic writings pp.221-245
10/3	Creation
10/5	the game of dice
10/10	Arjuna and Karna searching weapons
10/12	Yudhishitira and Dharma/Dhruyodhana and Arjuna's Choices
10/19	Bhagavad Gita
10/24	Bhisma's Death
10/26	the final ascent-heaven	short paper#2:explore one thieme, character, or scene from Mahabharata
	EXAM 2
11/02-11/16	The Social Structure of Hinduism	Mukherjee, excerpts frm the Sourcebook, pp.172-226,  excerpts from Radhakrishnan's basic writings pp. 187-220
10/31	dharma	Radhakrishnan's Basic writings:187-220
11/02	the question	17-52
11/07	the ideal	Mukherjee:52-87
11/09	the tradition	Mukherjee:87-148

11/14	analysis	Mukherjee:87-148 short paper 3: reflect on one ideals introduced by Mukherjee
11/21-12/07	Raja Yoga	excerpts from the source book and Vivekananda
11/16	Raja Yoga	Vivekanda:3-21,87-100 (in class:222-229)
11/21	film:ISCON
11/28	the stages I the stages II	Vivekanda pp.22-58 Vivekanda pp.59-86
11/30	concentration I	Vivekanda pp.101-143
12/05	concentration II	Vivekanda pp. 143-182
12/07	the goal	pp.183-222
		short paper 4 :reflect on yoga
	FINALS WEEK: EXAM 3