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Introduction to Hinduism RELI 14 / ASLC 17 Spring 2009 MW 12:30-1:50 Converse Hall 207 Steven Heim Office: Chapin 207 Office Ho

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Introduction to Hinduism RELI 14 / ASLC 17 Spring 2009 MW 12:30-1:50 Converse Hall 207 Steven Heim Office: Chapin 207 Office Ho Introduction to Hinduism RELI 14 / ASLC 17 Spring 2009 MW 12:30-1:50 Converse Hall 207 Steven Heim Office: Chapin 207 Office Hours: Mondays 2-3, and by appointment. [email protected] 542-8475 In Hindu traditions there’s been a sustained debate about the meaning of life. Some claim that the highest human achievements are found in social engagement, in having a family, enjoying wealth and power, and in aesthetic pleasure. Others believe such worldly achievements are ultimately unsatisfactory, and that one should break free of social bonds, renounce the world and seek enlightenment. This course follows the debate, from over 2500 years ago to the present, as its participants reflect on human purpose and create different schools of Hinduism. In following their debates we will explore alternative definitions of dharma, karma, reincarnation, ritual efficacy, meditation, happiness, caste, gender, yoga, gods, food practices, politics, violence, and modernity. Required Readings These three books are available at Amherst Books: Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism Olivelle, Patrick. Upanisads Patton, Laurie. The Bhagavad Gita Other readings will be available on our class webpage (https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/courses/0809S/RELI/RELI-14-0809S and in a CoursePack. Course Requirements 1. Regular attendance and thoughtful participation (10 % of final grade). More than two unexcused absences will result in your grade falling by a third (i.e. from an A to an A-, etc.). Lack of verbal participation in class will result in points unachieved. 2. Weekly Reflections (20%): Nearly every week you will submit a 300-350 word (about a page or a page and a half) reflection paper. Some of the topics will be assigned, otherwise you can explore an issue of your choosing. These papers are to be critical discussions, not non-academic, personal feelings about the readings. This assignment will be due in class on Wednesdays, and cannot be submitted late under any circumstances. However, your lowest grade or one missed assignment will automatically be dropped in the final assessment of your grade. Reflection papers will be graded on a ten point scale. 2 3. Midterm Exam (20%): Identification of key terms, short and longer writing on key ideas explored in the course by midterm. 4. Two Papers a. Paper 1 (20%): six pages, due on March 30th. b. Paper 2 (30%): eight pages, due on May 15th. Details will be given in class. Schedule (The schedule will certainly change a little over the semester. Updates will be posted on the course website) January 26 Introduction January 28 Sarasvati Culture read: Flood 1-35; “Around the Indus in 90 Slides” http://harappa.com/indus/indus1.html February 2 Vedas read: Flood 35-50; *Doniger, The Rig Veda 22-40, 61-65; *Beck, Sonic Theology 23-49 February 4 Vedas read: Flood 75-80; *Doniger, The Rig Veda 97-138; *Doniger, Textual Sources 5-27; Vedic Altars: http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/george/vedi.html February 9 Upaniṣads read: Flood 80-89; Olivelle, Upanisads vii-lx, 7-9, 72-79, 83-93, 171-176 February 11 Upaniṣads read: Olivelle; Upanisads 34-58, 148-156; *Black, 67-96 February 16 Upaniṣads read: Flood 93-102; Olivelle, Upanisads 231-290 February 18 Dharma read: Flood 51-74; 198-223; *Manu, selections February 23 Dharma – Human Goals read: *Davis, Purusartha; *Olivelle, Ascetic Withdrawal or Social Engagement February 25 Bhagavad Gita read: Flood 103-127; Patton, The Bhagavad Gita intro-60 March 2 Bhagavad Gita read: Patton, The Bhagavad Gita 61-122 3 March 4 Bhagavad Gita read: Patton, The Bhagavad Gita 123-205 March 9 Ramayana read: *Ramayana March 11 Midterm exam March 16/18 Spring Break March 23 Love of Visnu read: Flood 128-147; *Krishna myths; *Marriott, Feast of Love March 25 Kama read: *Kamadeva; *Kama Sutra; *Gita Govinda March 30 Siva read: Flood 148-158; *Siva myths; *Davis, Origin of Linga Worship Paper 1 due April 1 Siva read: *Siva myths; *Doniger, Siva the erotic ascetic April 6 Tantra read: Flood 158-173; *Tantrism; *Brooks, Ocean of the Heart April 8 Devi read: Flood 174-197; *Devi Myths April 13 Devi read: *Encountering Kali April 15 Devi read:*Victory to the Mother April 20 Issues in Women’s religion read: *Desired Fruits; *Women in Ochre Robes; * The Dilemmas of Domesticity” April 22 Hinduism and Modernity read: Flood 250-273; *Ram Mohan Roy; *Arya Samaj April 27 Hinduism and Modernity read: *Kushubchandra Sen; *Vivekananda 4 April 29 Hinduism and the Nation read: *Gandhi; *Alter, Celibacy, sexuality, and the transformation of gender into nationalism in north India May 4 Hinduism and Ecology read: *Haberman, River of Love in an Age of Pollution May 6 Conclusions .
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