Introduction to Hinduism (200-0-20)
Instructors
Mark Richard McClish
Meeting Info
Swift Hall 107: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
One of the largest and most ancient of all religions, Hinduism comprises a family of related traditions. Over the last 5000 years, the Hindu traditions of South Asia have developed a remarkable diversity of rituals, beliefs, and spiritual practices and a pantheon of hundreds and thousands of gods and goddesses, from the elephant headed Ganeṣa to the fierce goddess Kālī as well as many local deities. This course will examine the breadth of the Hindu traditions as they have developed over time, highlighting the major elements that characterize them collectively, such as ritual sacrifice (yajña), world renunciation (saṃnyāsa), law (dharma), spiritual discipline (yoga), devotion (bhakti), worship (pūjā), and theology. During the course we will explore both the scriptures of Hinduism as well as its practices. We will pay particular attention to how these traditions have contributed to the development of modern Hinduism.
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
Teaching Method
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
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Ethics & Values Distro Area
Associated Classes
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-335: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-339: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-331: Fri 1:00PM - 1:50PM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-319: Fri 9:00AM - 9:50AM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-339: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-331: Fri 12:00PM - 12:50PM