RELI 4406/6406: The Hindu Tradition

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An in-depth study of Hinduism. The philosophy, ritual, iconography, literature, architecture, and social theory of Hinduism, a form of religion and culture that have dramatically shaped the history of South Asia and beyond.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

Will be assigned additional readings and short papers on issues associated with the development of Hinduism; must write a fifteen-page research paper treating some aspect of Hindu philosophy, ritual, iconography, etc.

COURSE OBJECTIVES OR EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

This aim of this course is to introduce the student to the basic

contours of Hindu thought and practice. It will explore

foundational themes concerning the relationship between self,

cosmos, and divinity underlying the several sectarian Hindu

traditions. Our study will span the archaic period of the

Indus Valley, the formative phase of the Vedas and Upanishads,

the classical period of theistic development, and the medieval

expressions of the devotional poet-saints. Throughout the course,

philosophical ideas will be juxtaposed to the literary, artistic,

and ritual forms that accompany them. To this end, the course

materials include primary textual sources, videos, and slides,

as well as background secondary literature. This course will

enable the student to become familiar with the variety of

religious/life questions raised and solutions offered by the

religion of a major civilization ? a religion that is held dear

by one in six of the earth?s people.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. The Indus Civilization and the Aryan Influx

2. The Vedas I: Cosmos, deva

3. The Vedas II: Sacrifice

4. The Upanishads I: Introduction

5. The Upanishads II: Knowledge and Contemplation

6. Upanishads III: Knowing That

7. The Challenge of the Shramanas Movements

8. Yoga and asceticism

9. Theism: puja and darshan

10. Devi

11. Vishnu

12. Krishna: the Bhagavadgita

13. The Story of Rama and Sita: The Ramayana

14. Shiva

15. Bhakti: In the Presence of the Beloved

16. "The name is your raft:" the saguna saints

17. "Talk and talk and the real things get lost:" the nirguna saints

18. Death and rebirth

UNIVERSITY HONOR CODE AND ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY

UGA Student Honor Code: "I will be academically honest in all of my academic work and will not tolerate academic dishonesty of others." A Culture of Honesty, the University's policy and procedures for handling cases of suspected dishonesty, can be found at www.uga.edu/ovpi. Every course syllabus should include the instructor's expectations related to academic integrity.

Students are expected to be aware of and abide by the university

honor code and academic honesty policy.