Brandeis University Programs in Religious Studies and South Asian Studies REL/SAS 152a Introduction to Hinduism Fall 2014 Time: TTh 3:30-4:50 Location: Olin-Sang Amer Civ Ctr 104 Instructor: Eric Steinschneider esteinschneider@brandeis.edu Office: Rabb 259 Office Hours: By Appointment Course Description: This course offers an introduction to the diverse yet interrelated traditions of practice and thought that together have contributed to the development of what has come to be called Hinduism. Over the course of the semester, students will have the opportunity to explore the central concepts, images, mythologies, and philosophies that have continuously shaped and reshaped Hindu religious traditions over the past four millennia. Among the topics to be considered are the relationship between Hinduism and its particular social and political contexts, its practice in urban and rural India, its relationship to other religious traditions, as well as contemporary questions of Hindu identity both in South Asia and the diaspora. Through a broad survey of these and related issues, students will develop fluency in the core vocabulary of Hinduism. Primary sources have been selected to allow students direct access to Hindu religious traditions, while secondary literature serves to nuance students understanding of these materials. All course readings are in English, and no prior knowledge of Hinduism or India is presumed.
Course Objectives: In addition to the thematic concerns described above, this course aims to develop the following skills: - Critically reading and analyzing complex primary and secondary sources - Expressing ideas and arguments cogently, coherently, and effectively in both writing and class discussion - Using film as an important resource for the academic study of religion - Conducting ethnographic fieldwork and interviews Course Requirements: 1. Class Participation All students are expected to come to each class having read the required materials and to actively engage in classroom discussions. 2. Short Responses Beginning September 2 nd students will be required to submit short written responses to the assigned readings. Responses are designed to encourage deeper engagement with the key concepts analyzed in the course, to facilitate classroom discussion, and to reward students for completing the assigned readings. While these responses may be informal, they are expected to be composed in full, grammatical sentences, to contain at least one question pertaining to the reading, and to run no more than 150 words. These responses will be submitted electronically the day before the relevant class, no later than 11:59 p.m. Late responses will not be accepted. Students are allowed a total of four passes during the course of the semester for which they will not be required to submit responses. 3. Film Review Three films will be screened throughout the semester. Students will be responsible for writing a 3-4 pages review on one of these films. The review is to provide a critical analysis of the film that ties it back to the course readings and classroom discussions. Reviews are to be submitted electronically exactly one week after the film is screened. 4. Essay or Ethnography A 7-8 page paper (12 pt. font, double-spaced, excluding a formal title page and bibliography) is due on the last day of class. This paper may take one of two forms: a. Final Research Essay: Students are free to develop their own topic provided it relates to the study of Hindu religious traditions. Students must incorporate at least one primary and one secondary source beyond assigned course readings into the paper. If selecting this option, students are strongly encouraged to discuss the proposed topic and potential sources with the instructor during office hourse well before the deadline. b. Final Ethnographic Essay: Students may visit a Hindu religious center in the Greater Boston Area and submit an ethnographic essay based on their visit. A list of local centers will be distributed to students. In addition to describing the center and its activities, this essay must include an original analysis of some component of the visit (e.g. an interview) which the student deems particularly significant. Furthermore, students must incorporate at least one primary and one
secondary source (either from or beyond the assigned course readings) into the paper. 5. Final Exam The final examination will be cumulative and evaluate students comprehension of assigned readings and class lectures. Calculation of Grade: 1. Class Participation 10% 2. Short Responses (20x1) 20% 3. Film Review 15% 4. Essay or Ethnography 25% 5. Final Exam 30% Total 100% Course Policies: I. Academic Integrity Academic integrity is foundational to the ethos of the university. Any academic dishonesty, ranging from cheating to plagiarism, is a serious academic offence and will be dealt with formally. Ignorance of the rules does not pardon you from the repercussions of violating university policies concerning academic integrity. For more information about how to promote academic integrity at Brandeis, see http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/sdc/ai. II. Absences and Late Assignments: Students are required to inform the instructor beforehand if they cannot attend a particular class. Please note that lecture notes will not be distributed to students, and thus students must obtain missed lecture notes from colleagues in the class. Late assignments will be assessed a penalty of 3% per day. Assignments submitted more than one week after the deadline has passed will not be accepted. III. Accessibility: Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me immediately. The sooner you let me know your needs the quicker I can assist you in achieving your learning goals in this course. For more information, please see http://www.brandeis.edu/acserv/disabilities/. IV. Academic and Writing Support: All students are encouraged to take advantage of the University s Writing Center. For more information, see http://www.brandeis.edu/writingprogram/writingcenter/. V. Email Protocol: The primary method of communicating with the instructor is via email. Emails must adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Use your university email account. Emails from private accounts will not be read. 2. Please include the course number in the subject line, along with a brief description of the query. Include your full name in the body of the email. 3. Every effort will be made to respond to emails within 48 hours. Please do not send follow-up emails within this window. Additionally, it is your responsibility to regularly check your university email account for official emails and announcements from the instructor. Course Materials: The following materials will be made available for purchase. All other materials are either available online or will be placed on course reserve for students to borrow and photocopy. 1. Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. 2. Wendy Doniger O Flaherty, The Rig Veda. New York: Penguin, 1981. 3. Patrick Olivelle, The Upanisads. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. 4. Wendy Doniger, The Laws of Manu. New York: Penguin, 1991. 5. R. K. Narayan, The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. New York: Penguin, 2006. 6. Barbara Stoler Miller, trans., The Bhagavad-Gita: Krishna s Counsel in Time of War. New York: Bantam Books, 1986. 7. Edward C. Dimock and Denise Levertov, trans., In Praise of Krishna: Songs from the Bengali. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1981. 8. Leonard Nathan and Clinton Seely, Grace and Mercy in Her Wild Hair: Selected Poems to the Mother Goddess. Prescott, Arizona: Hohm Press, 1999. 9. Monica Felton, A Child Widow s Story. New Delhi: Katha, 2003. Course Outline: I. August 28 th : Introduction General introduction to the course and overview of the syllabus. The Origins of Indic Culture II. September 2 nd : The Indus Valley Civilization and the Āryan Debate 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: pp. 1-30. 2. Introduction and Mohenjo-Daro at www.mohenjodaro.net; Introduction and examine images at www.harappa.com
The Foundations of the Vedic Tradition III. September 4 th : The Ritual World of the Vedas 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: pp. 30-50. 2. O Flaherty, The Rig Veda: 22-96. IV. September 9 th : The Sacred Fire 1. O Flaherty, The Rig Veda: 97-162. In class screening: Altar of Fire The Upaniṣads and Early Philosophical Speculation V. September 11 th : Śramaṇa Traditions and Ascetic Contemplation 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 75-92. 2. Olivelle, Upanisads: 7, 40-41, 46-52, 148-156. VI. September 16 th : Internalizing the Ritual 1. Flood, The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism: 271-287. 2. Olivelle, Upanisads: 231-247, 266-277. *****FILM REVIEW FOR ALTAR OF FIRE DUE***** Dharma and the Social Order VII. September 18 th : Dharma, Caste, and the Brahmanical Worldview I 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 51-74. 2. Doniger, The Laws of Manu: 3-73. VIII. September 23 rd : Dharma, Caste, and the Brahmanical Worldview II 1. Doniger, The Laws of Manu: 117-127, 197-233. The Epics and Classical Indian Thought IX. September 25 th : *****ROSH HASHANAH: NO CLASS***** X. September 30 th : The Rāmāyaṇa and Divine Kingship 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 103-127 2. Narayan, The Ramayana: 1-75.
XI. October 2 nd : Rāma: The Ambiguous Exemplar 1. Hess, Rejecting Sita: Indian Responses to the Ideal Man s Cruel Treatment of His Ideal Wife, Journal of the American Academy of Religion 67 (1): 1-32. 2. Narayan, The Ramayana: 75-157. In class screening: Sita Sings the Blues XII. October 7 th : The Mahābhārata and the Subtleties of Dharma 1. J. A. B. van Buitenen, The Mahābhārata: 1. The Book of the Beginning: xiii-xvi. 2. Barbara Stoler Miller, trans., The Bhagavad-Gītā: Krishna s Counsel in Time of War: 21-87. XIII. October 9 th : *****SUKKOT NO CLASS***** *****FILM REVIEW FOR SITA SINGS THE BLUES DUE***** XIV. October 13 th : Non-Attached Action in the Bhagavad-gītā 1. Barbara Stoler Miller, trans., The Bhagavad-Gita: Krishna s Counsel in Time of War: 88-154. XV. October 14 th : Classical Hindu Philosophy The Six Darśanas 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 224-249. Theistic Traditions: Bhakti and Tantra XVI. October 16: *****SHMINI ATZERET NO CLASS***** XVII. October 21 st : Viṣṇu and His Avatāras 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 128-147 2. Dimmit and van Buitenen, Classical Hindu Mythology: 3-14, 59-68, 71-84. XVIII. October 23 rd : The Rise of Vernacular Bhakti 1. A. K. Ramanujan, Hymns for the Drowning: 61-66, 70-75, 103-121, 126-134. 2. Dimock and Levertov, In Praise of Krishna: Songs from the Bengali: 3-69. XIX. October 28 th : Śiva and the Tantric Path 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 148-173. 2. Peterson, Poems to Siva: 270-282.
XX. October 30 th : The Goddess as Power 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 174-197. 2. Nathan and Seely: Grace and Mercy in Her Wild Hair: Selected Poems to the Mother Goddess: 3-65. XXI. November 4 th : Hindu Rituals Hindu Rituals and the Place of Women 1. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism: 198-223. 2. Huyler, The Experience: Approaching God, in Hawley and Narayanan, eds. The Life of Hinduism: 33-41. XXII. November 6 th : Hinduism and Gender 1. McGee, Desired Fruits. in Julia Lesli (ed.) Roles and Rituals for Hindu Women: 71-88. 2. Hancock, The Dilemmas of Domesticity. in Harlan and Courtright (eds.) From the Margins of Hindu Marriage: 60-91. Colonialism, Modern Hinduism, and the Politics of Religious Identity XXIII. November 11 th : Ethics and Practical Vedānta 1. Rammohun Roy, On Concremation, in Ghose (ed.) The English Works of Raja Rammohun Roy, vol. 2: 143-180. 2. Halbfass. Practical Vedanta. in Dalmia and von Stietencron (eds.) Representing Hinduism: 211-223. XXIV. November 13 th : The Women s Question 1. Chatterjeee. Colonialism, Nationalism, and Colonialized Women: The Contest in India. American Ethnologist 16.4 (1989): 622-633. 2. Felton, A Child Widow s Story: 96-171. XXV. November 18 th : Hindu Nationalism 1. van der Veer, Religious Nationalism: 1-24. 2. Extract from Savarkar, Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? In Jaffrelot (ed.) Hindu Nationalism: A Reader: 85-96.
XXVI. November 20 th : Militant Hinduism 1. Hawley, Militant Hinduism : 257-265. 2. Kapur, Deity to Crusader in Pandey (ed.), Hindus and Others: 74-107. In class screening: Ram ke Naam XXVII. November 25 th : *****NO CLASS***** XXVIII. November 27 th : *****THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY NO CLASS***** *****FILM REVIEW FOR RAM KE NAAM DUE***** XXIX. December 2 nd : Hinduism in Contemporary Media and Visual Culture 1. McLain, India s Immortal Comic Books: 1-22. 2. Dwyer, Filming the Gods: Religion and Indian Cinema: 12-62. XXX. December 4 th : Cosmopolitanism and the Hindu Diaspora 1. Narayanan, Hinduism in Pittsburgh: Creating the South Indian Hindu Experience in the United States, in Hawley and Narayanan (eds.) The Life of Hinduism: 231-248. 2. Hallstrom, Anandamayi Ma: God came as a Woman. In Hawley and Narayanan (eds.) The Life of Hinduism: 173-183. *****FINAL PAPERS DUE*****