RELIGIONS OF INDIA

Religion 211 Sarah Haynes

Fall 2006 Office: Lovejoy 349

Location: Lovejoy 211 Office Hours: TBA

Email: sfhaynes@colby.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this course, we will examine the historical development of religious ideas and practices of the religious traditions of India. Specifically, we will focus on those religions that originated in India, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The study of these religious traditions will mainly be through primary texts (scripture), art, and philosophy.

The aim of this course is to have the students reflect upon the question of religion within the Indian cultural context. This means that we will investigate the variety of religious traditions that began in India and that spread from there to various countries of the world. The course will examine the views of religion as held by those within the culture (emic) and by those outside the culture (etic).

REQUIRED TEXTS:

1. Sources of Indian Traditions, Vol. I (edited by William Theodore Debary/Ainslie Embree)
2. Malgudi Days (by R. K. Narayan)
3. You are Not Here and Other Works of Buddhist Fiction (ed. Keith Kachtick)
4. English Lessons and Other Stories (by Shauna Singh Baldwin)

Additional Materials on Reserve

1. An Introduction to Hinduism (by Gavin Flood)

2. The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society (by W. H. McLeod)

3. Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition (by Anthony Tribe and Paul Williams)

***Note: further information regarding reserve readings TBA

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attendance and active participation – 10%

2. 2 short papers – 20% each (4-5 pages, 1 dialogue and 1 critical reflection—further information will be provided)

3. Mid-term exam – 25% (October 24^th)

4. Final essay – 25% (due final exam week – December 14^th – further information will be provided)

SCHEDULE:

September

7^th Introduction to the Study of Religion

12^th Indus Valley Civilization

Readings

Introduction to Hinduism: Chapters 1-2 (reserve reading)

14^th Vedic Period

Readings

Sources: Chapter 1

Malgudi Days (should be in the process of reading)

Introduction to Hinduism: Chapters 3-4 (reserve reading)

19^th Brahmanas and Upanishads

Readings

Sources: Chapter 2

Introduction to Hinduism: Chapter: 10 (reserve reading)

21^st Hindu Paths of Transformation

Readings

Sources: Chapters 8-11

26^th Bhakti Movement and the Epics

Readings

Sources: Chapter 12

28^th Hindu Tantra

Readings

Sources: pp. 332-341

Introduction to Hinduism: Chapter 7 (reserve reading)

October

3^rd Film (TBA)

5^th Discussion of film and short stories

10^th/12^th Jainism

Readings

Sources: Chapters 3-4

DUE on the 10^th: Hinduism paper/dialogue

17^th No Class

19^th Review

DUE: Jainism paper/dialogue

24^th Mid-term exam

26^th The Buddha’s Life-story

Readings

Sources: Chapter 5 pp. 93-113

You Are Not Here (should be in the process of reading)

Buddhist Thought: Chapter 1 (reserve reading)

31^st Early/Sectarian Buddhism

Readings

Sources: Chapter 5 pp. 114-142

Buddhist Thought: Chapter 2 (reserve reading)

November

2^nd Early/Sectarian Buddhism

Readings

Buddhist Thought: Chapters 3-4 (reserve reading)

7^th Development of Mahayana

Readings

Buddhist Thought: Chapter 5 (reserve reading)

9^th Mahayana Philosophy

Readings

Sources: Chapter 6

14^th Buddhist Tantra

Readings

Sources: Chapter 7

Buddhist Thought: Chapter 7 (reserve reading)

16^th Discussion of short stories

21^st Film (TBA)

23^rd No Class

28^th/30^th Sikhism

Readings

Sources: Chapter 16

English Lessons

The Sikhs: TBA (reserve reading)

DUE on the 28^th: Buddhism paper/dialogue

December

5^th Discussion

7^th Review

DUE: Sikhism paper/dialogue