Religion: Introducing Hinduism

Introduction to some of the major topics and themes in Hindu religious traditions, tracing their development from Vedic times to the present day.

Open to Degree and PACE students

We are here to ask - and likely not fully answer - these course questions: What is Hinduism? How do we make sense of a multilingual, transregional, transnational, and pluralistic set of traditions as one cogent whole? Should we? This course is designed to introduce students to some of the major topics and themes in the study of religion, Hindu religious traditions and to trace their development over time. Special emphasis will be placed on the diversity that characterizes both classical and contemporary Hinduism, and which is articulated across and reflected in a broad spectrum of textual traditions, ritual expressions, and social practices. Attention will also be paid to the processes by which Hindu religious traditions have transformed in response to historical factors, encounters, and influences, and to how these traditions continue to adapt in dialogue with contemporary contexts. Specifically, we will investigate Hinduism - this enormous mélange of practices, ideas, languages, people, and histories - by case studies. In the Rāmāyaṇa unit we trace how different groups of Hindus (and non-Hindus!) use this sacred epic in differing historical, linguistic, gendered, and casted circumstances. In the ecology unit, we think about environments in ways that may challenge our notions of environmentalism. When we study politics, we will think about race, appropriation, nationalism and commodification in religions.

You are expected to do the reading actively--that means taking notes, bringing the reading and the notes to class, and being prepared to talk about the reading (even saying "I didn't get it!" counts!); you are expected to show up regularly; and you are expected to participate in class discussion when applicable.

reading notes; final exam; information literacy essay