College Seminar (101-7-20)

Topic

Epics of Ancient India: The Mahabharata and Ramaya

Instructors

Mark Richard McClish

Meeting Info

Allison Residential Comm 1021: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Ancient India produced two of the world's great epics: the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa. The former tells the story of an apocalyptic civil war within a ruling dynasty that comes to engulf all of the peoples of the world. The latter tells the story of the righteous king, Rāma, and the abduction of his beloved wife, Sītā, by the demon-king Rāvaṇa. Both stories have edified audiences, in different versions, for over two-millennia, and both are considered by many to be sacred texts that reveal deep truths about the nature of human existence.

In this course, we will read abridged translations of the classical Sanskrit versions of both stories, reflect on their meaning, and explore their continuing significance in different forms to audiences today.

Teaching Method

Class Attributes

WCAS College Seminar