RUTGERS UNIVERSITY 

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840:322Hinduism
Spring 2002

Thomas Myladil, Ph. D.

Office: Loree 116 (Douglass Campus)

Office Hours: 11.30 AM - 12.30 PM on Mondays and Thursdays

E-mail: thomdil@rci.rutgers.edu

This upper level course will explore the literary, historical, and cultural development of the indigenous religious traditions of the Indian sub-continent.

Readings:

Klostermaier, Klaus K.  A Survey of Hinduism.

State University of New York Press, 2nd edition, 1994.

Embree, Ainslie T. (ed.). The Hindu Tradition.

New York: Vintage Books, 1972.

Eck, Diana L. Darsan. 

New York: Columbia University Press, 2nd edition, 1996.

The Upanishads,  trans. by Juan Mascaró.  London: Penguin Books, 1965.

The Bhagavad-Gita, trans. by Barbara Stoler Miller.  New York: Bantam Books,  1986.

Requirements:

1.  Class Attendance.  Class attendance is necessary and it will be marked in the roster at the beginning of every class.  Students are expected to read and to be able to discuss material designed for a particular class or cluster of classes, as well as to complete on time other assignments that may be given.

2.  Course Paper.  A course paper of 10 pages is required.  The topic of the paper must be chosen by February 21 with the approval of the instructor.  The course readings should be made use of, along with material of your choice, as sources of the paper.   Detailed instructions on how to proceed with the work of the term paper will follow.

3.  Exams and Grading.  There will be  two exams: a mid-term exam on March 11and the final examination.  The final grade will be calculated in this manner: mid-term exam=30%;  final exam=30%;  term paper=20%;  class attendance and class activities (quizzes etc.,)=20%.

Schedule:

Class Day(s):                Topics and Readings:

Jan. 24            Introduction

A Survey of Hinduism, Introduction, Chapter 1.
The Hindu Tradition, Introduction.

Jan. 28, 31                   The Vedas and Early Brahmanism

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapters 2, 4, 9, 21.  

The Hindu Tradition, Chapters I, II.

Feb. 4, 7 The Upanishads and Early Ascetic Culture

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapters 12, 22.  

The Hindu Tradition, Chapter III.

The Upanishads (entire book).

Feb. 11, 14                  Early Jainism and Buddhism

The Hindu Tradition, pp. 132-135, 112-116.

Feb. 18, 21                  Sastras and the Brahmanical Synthesis

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapter 3.  

The Hindu Tradition, pp. 69-112.

Feb.25, 28                   The Epic Tradition

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapter 5. 

The Hindu Tradition, Chapter VII. 

The Bhagavadgita, Chapters 1 - 8.

Mar. 4, 7          The Bhagavad-Gita

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapter 6. 

The Hindu Tradition, pp. 117-130;                                        

The Bhagavadgita, Chapters 9 -18.

March 11, 14               Mid-term Exam on March 11

Samkhya and Yoga

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapter 26. 

The Hindu Tradition, pp. 189-197.                                    

March 25, 28   Later Hindu Philosophy

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapters, 24, 25, 27.    

The Hindu Tradition, pp. 180-189; 197-207.

April 1, 4                      Puranic Theism

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapters 8, 16, 19. 

The Hindu Tradition, Chapters X, XI.

April 8, 11        Hindu Cultic Life

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapters 11, 20. 

Darsan (entire book).

April 15, 18                  Women, Female Power, and Tantrism

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapters 18, 23.

April 22, 25      Term Paper due on April 22

The Bhakti Movement

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapter 15.  

The Hindu Tradition, Chapter XII.

April 29 Sikhism.

The Hindu Tradition, Chapter XIII.

May 2, 6                      Hinduism in Modern Times,  Conclusion.

A Survey of Hinduism, Chapters 28, 29, 30. 

The Hindu Tradition, pp. 273-348. 

Suggested: Reading on Gandhi.

May 15 Final Examination.         

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