Introduction to Hinduism (200-0-20)
Instructors
Mark Richard McClish
Meeting Info
Lutkin Hall: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
One of the largest and most ancient of all religions, Hinduism is a family of interwoven traditions. Over the last 4000 years or more, the Hindu traditions of South Asia have developed a remarkable diversity of rituals, beliefs, and spiritual practices and a pantheon of hundreds of gods and goddesses, from the elephant-headed Gaṇeśa to the fierce goddess Kālī. This course will examine the breadth of the Hindu traditions as they developed over time, highlighting the shared features that make them a family, such as ritual sacrifice (yajña), world renunciation (saṃnyāsa), law (dharma), spiritual discipline (yoga), devotion (bhakti), worship (pūjā), and theology. We will pay particular attention to how these traditions have contributed to the development of modern Hinduism, and students will have the opportunity to engage Hinduism in Chicago. We will explore the great works of Hindu literature, such as the Vedas, the Upaniṣads, the Bhagavad Gītā, and the Rāmāyaṇa as well as other important sources such as art, architecture, anthropology, and film.
Registration Requirements
n/a
Learning Objectives
1) be able to give overview of the major Hindu beliefs, practices, and communities illustrated within our sources
2) be able to contextualize these within the broad spectrum of the Hindu traditions, modern Hinduism, and religion more generally
3) be able to interpret primary and secondary sources critically and with imagination
4) be able to demonstrate familiarity with the methods and priorities of the academic study of religion
Class Materials (Required)
Rodrigues, H. 2006. Introducing Hinduism. Routledge. 978-0415392693
Narayan, R. K. (tr.) 2006. The Rāmāyaṇa. New ed. Penguin. 978-0143039679
Patton, L. (ed. & tr.) 2008. The Bhagavad Gītā. Penguin. 978-0140447903
various readings (Canvas): course packet will be made available
Class Attributes
Ethics & Values Distro Area
Associated Classes
DIS - Parkes Hall 212: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM
DIS - Parkes Hall 215: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-435: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM
DIS - Kresge Cent. Hall 2-380 Kaplan: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-435: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-410: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM