Hinduism

RELG 350.10087 and INAS 425.10320
spring 1997, TR 2:00-3:15, KINA 204

Prof. Ed Haynes
History Dept., BANC 346
Phone: 323-4682; E-mail: haynese
Office Hours: MWF 8:00-8:50, TR 3:30-4:45,
and by appointment

 This course will examine the history and nature of the world’s third (or fourth, depending on how one counts Marxism?) largest religion: what we in the West call Hinduism. While this is a term few "Hindus" would ever use, we shall explore the various meanings and manifestations of this way of thought as it has developed and spread out from South Asia. Hinduism is, arguably, both the world’s oldest religion and the best example of the globally dominant polytheistic tradition within world religions. This course will be a mix of the "religious," "historical," "philosophical," and "cultural" approaches.

Texts: The books for this course are available in the bookstore. All students are expected to read all assigned readings (as shown below, for each class meeting on the day indicated), though individual purchase is not absolutely required.

• Klaus K. Klostermaier, Survey of Hinduism, 2nd ed. ([Albany]: State University of New York Press, [1994]; ISBN 0-7914-2110-4)

• Ainslie T. Embree, ed., The Hindu Tradition (New York: The Modern Library/Random House, [1966]; ISBN 0-394-71702-3)

• The Baghavadgita in the Mahabharata: Text and Translation, tr. and ed. by J. A. B. van Buitenen (Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, [1981]; ISBN 0-226-84662-8)

• Kathleen M. Erndl, Victory to the Mother: The Hindu Goddess of Northwestern India in Myth, Ritual, and Symbol (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993; ISBN 0-19-507015-1)

There will also be a moderate number of short readings from The Encyclopedia of Asian History, ed. Ainslie T. Embree (New York and London: [1988]). This is in the reserve section of Dacus Library (call number REF.DS31.E53.1988). Learn and remember the location of this valuable source!

The syllabus for this course has also been made available for your consultation on-line (http://haynese.winthrop.edu/syll/hinduism.html) and many of the links there will also be of value. For further information on using/citing the World Wide Web, see the excellent citation guide from East Tennessee State University.

Course Requirements: Winthrop University says I have to give you a grade. While this may get in the way of learning in a course such as this, "I hear and I obey."

• Map Quiz -- On Tuesday, 28 January, there will be an in-class map quiz, based on the study sheets distributed the first day of class. The purpose of this map quiz is to assure that you have a firm grasp of the geography necessary to discuss Hinduism as both a historical and contemporary system of belief. Your grade from the 28th will be 5% of your grade for the course. Moreover, you are expected to "pass" this quiz, to make 60% on it. If you do not pass the first time, there will be subsequent opportunities, but these grades will not factor directly into your grade for the course (only this first time counts, so study). Those who have not passed the map quiz by the end of the semester will be awarded the grade of "IF" and will be allowed to continue taking the map quiz next semester.

• Paper on the Baghavadgita -- On Thursday, 27 March, a short (5-7 page?) reaction paper is due on the Baghavadgita. This must be typed and will be 21% of your grade for the course. Late papers will be accepted at a fixed and non-negotiable 10% penalty per calendar day.

• Paper on Erndl’s Victory to the Mother -- A similar reaction paper will be due on 29 April covering Erndl’s Victory to the Mother. It will also be 21% of the course grade and the same length and late-penalty standards apply.

• Mid-Term Exam -- On Thursday, 13 February, there will be an in-class mid-term exam. This exam will be mainly essay and will be 21% of the final grade. Do not expect "sample questions."

• Final Exam -- On a date as yet undisclosed (the Registrar won’t tell us!), there will be final exam, similar to the mid-term and broadly comprehensive, but focused on the final part of the course. Structured like the mid-term, this will be 27% of the grade.

Class Attendance is expected and required. Your participation in ongoing class discussion (much of it based on the source readings in Embree’s Hindu Tradition) will be 5% of the course grade. While you are all adults and can make decisions about your own lives, you are expected to be here. As I am not your mother, I shall neither check to see that your fingernails are clean nor take roll in class.

Schedule of Courses and Readings:

Thursday, 16 January -- Introduction

Tuesday, 21 January -- Indus Civilization

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 1-43

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 2:145-148

• The syllabus for the class (NO JOKE!)

Thursday, 23 January -- Coming of the Aryans and Their Religion

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 43-55

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 3-23

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 1:91

Tuesday, 28 January -- Vedic Sacrifice and the Society Which Supported It

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 65-80, 155-169

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 23-46

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 4:184

• MAP QUIZ

Thursday, 30 January -- Brahmanism: The Rise of a Priesthood and a Purana Tradition

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 55-64, 81-98

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 208-223

Tuesday, 4 February -- The Epic Response: The Mahabharata and the Ramayana

Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 136-150, 256-260

Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 2:459-460, 3:325-326

Thursday, 6 February -- The Growth of Speculative Thought: The Aranyakas and Upanishads

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 112-129, 377-296

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 48-65

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 4:171-172

Tuesday, 11 February -- Anti-Brahminical Protests: Jainism and Buddhism

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 132-135

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 2:178-180, 1:180-184

Thursday, 13 February -- Mid-Term Exam

Tuesday, 18 February -- Class and Caste: Varna and Jati

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 333-344

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 69-84

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 1:229-233

Thursday, 20 February -- Stages of Life: The Ashramas

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 345-360

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 84-100

Tuesday, 25 February -- Duty and Action: Dharma and Karma

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 151-153, 170-182

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 80-84, 93-100

Thursday, 27 February -- The "Real" World: Artha and Kama

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 183-192

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 101-116, 153-179

Tuesday, 4 March -- Time and Reincarnation: Kala and Samsara

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 204-211

Thursday, 6 March -- Behavioral Liberation: Karma and Dharma Margs

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 212-220

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 117-124

Spring Break

Tuesday, 18 March -- Philosophical Liberation: Gñanya and Yoga Margs

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 193-203, 397-426

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 124-129, 180-207

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 4:276

Thursday, 20 March -- Devotional Liberation: Bhakti Marg

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 130-150, 221-237

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 129-130, 227-231

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 1:154-157

Tuesday, 25 March -- Vishnu

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 238-260

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 246-256

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 4:179-180

Thursday, 27 March -- The Baghavad Gita

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 99-111

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 1:153-154

• REACTION PAPER ON THE BAHAGHAVADGITA DUE

Tuesday, 1 April -- Shiva

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 261-277

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 130-132, 232-245

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 4:422

Thursday, 3 April -- No Class

Tuesday, 8 April -- The Goddess and Tantra

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 278-293, 361-378

• Erndl, Victory to the Mother, pp. 18-36

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 4:74-75

Thursday, 10 April -- Pilgrimage: Yatra

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 294-332

• Embree, ed., Encyclopedia, 3:256-260 (especially pp. 257-258 and 259-260)

Tuesday, 15 April -- Kashi

Thursday, 17 April -- Ramdevra

Tuesday, 22 April -- The Challenge of Islam and the Sikh Synthesis

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 261-270

Thursday, 24 April -- "Modern" Reform

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 427-460

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 273-324

Tuesday, 29 April -- Contemporary "Political Hinduism": Hindutva

• Klostermaier, Hinduism, pp. 461-476

• Embree, ed., Hindu Tradition, pp. 325-348

• REACTION PAPER ON ERNDL, VICTORY TO THE MOTHER, DUE

Final Exam -- presently UNKNOWN

Edward S. Haynes, Department of History, Winthrop University
haynese@winthrop.edu
http://haynese@winthrop.edu/syll/hinduism.html
last revised 21 May 1997