Course Syllabus
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WEEK
1 |
Introduction The Origins of Hinduism and its comparative definitions. Epistemology for studying Hinduism |
Flood, 1996, Introduction, pp. 1-21. |
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2 |
The Vedic age. The nature of the Vedas as sacred texts, their four major divisions, and their significance within Hinduism |
Flood, 1996, pp. 21-50. |
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3 |
The Epic age The origins of the epics, their nature, and the reasons for their popularity |
Flood, 1996, pp. 103-109. Shukla-Bhatt, 2023, pp. 49- 53.
Basham A.L. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana. UNESDOC Library (click link): https://unesdoc.unesco.or g/ark:/48223/pf0000032971 |
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4 |
The Medieval age Saiva, Vaisnava & bhakti movements |
Flood, 1996, pp. 128-147. |
First Presentation |
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5 |
The Modern age The religious, social, and political background of the nineteenth and twentieth century reformers |
Shukla-Bhatt, 2023, pp. 141-160. |
Second Presentation |
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6 |
Hindu Darshanas Hindu philosophical ideas and the spiritual significance of Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta |
Flood, 1996, pp. 224-249. |
Third Presentation |
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7 |
Mid-semester Study Week |
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8 |
Non-Vedic systems (Jainism, Buddhism) A Study of religions in relation to Hinduism, their origins and major points of differences and similarities with orthodox Hinduism |
University of Calicut (click link): http://14.139.185.6/website |
Fourth Presentation |
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9 |
Hindu Devotion and Worship A study of the main forms, images and attributes of various deities, their symbolism and significance in the spiritual life of Hindus |
Hindu Worship website (click link): https://factsanddetails.com/w orld/cat55/sub388/item1350.h tml |
Essay Due |
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10 |
Hindu Ethics A study of the four varnas, the four ashramas, the purushartas, karma and rebirth |
Shukla-Bhatt, 2023, pp. 86-104. |
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11 |
Conversion and Sects Ethical Conversion / Hinduism in the West and Sects within Hinduism |
James, 2017, pp. 37-58. |
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12 |
Contemporary Hinduism Transnational Hinduism / Hindu Televangelism / The politics of Hinduism |
James, 2010, pp. 115-132. |
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13 |
Review |
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14 |
Exam Study Week |
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15 |
Exam week |
Final Exam |
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