RELIGIONS OF SOUTH ASIA
Professor James McHugh
PROVISIONAL syllabus all dates still to be announced
REL-330, SPRING 2012
Artist making a temporary clay image
of the elephant- headed Hindu god Ganesha in Mumbai
This course will provide the student with a critical, and historically rooted awareness of
the major religious traditions found in South Asia, namely Hinduism, Buddhism,
Jainism, Sikhism, and South Asian Islam. In introducing the main religious traditions of
South Asia in the context of culture and history, the course is relevant to religion
concentrators and also to any student curious about the diverse and sophisticated
intellectual and artistic achievements of this important world region.
The course will progress chronologically, discussing the complex ritual universe of the
Hindu Vedas, and the early philosophical speculation of the Upanishads. At this point we
will also begin to examine two other early religious traditions originating in South Asia:
Buddhism and Jainism. We will then focus on texts dealing with dharma, which seek to
order life, society and indeed the universe, and we will also see how these texts resonate
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within the culture at large. Following an examination of the two enormous Hindu epics,
the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, we will linger on the Bhagavadgita, examining the
approaches to salvation by knowledge and philosophy, by yoga and meditation, and
finally by devotion to a personal God.
We will then examine this world of devotion to a personal God, focusing on several
major gods and goddesses, and looking at the life of a Hindu temple. Here we will learn,
amongst other things, the myths and iconography associated with Hindu gods. In
studying Krishna we will carefully read a more highly literary devotional text, and in
studying the god Shiva, we will reflect on exactly what is implied by the much
misunderstood term ‘tantric’. We also examine the important phenomenon of spirit and
divine possession at this point in the course, and we will watch a relatively recent Hindi
horror film based on Hindu ideas of demons and the afterlife.
We will then examine some changes that took place in the medieval period, particularly
the introduction of Islam and the manner in which this religion was incorporated into
the South Asian context. At this point we will read some devotional poetry by famous
medieval saints, and here we will consider the origins and development of Sikhism.
Finally we will consider Hinduism in contemporary America.
In addition to textual sources, the course emphasizes material and visual aspects of
South Asian religions: the non-textual, physical expressions of religion, including
classical and modern artwork, films, and a visit to the LACMA. The class will also visit
a Hindu temple. PLEASE NOTE EXACT DETAILS OF CLASS TRIPS PROVISIONAL
AT THIS STAGE.
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
Telephone:
James McHugh
Room ACB 226
TBA
jmchugh@usc.edu
(213) 740 7141
Required Texts
The Law Code of Manu, translated by Patrick Olivelle, Oxford University Press
The Bhagavad Gita, translated by George Thompson, North Point Press
Songs of the Saints of India, trans. John Stratton Hawley and Mark Juergensmeyer. Oxford
University Press, 2008.
Darśan: Seeing the Divine Image in India, Diana Eck, Columbia University Press.
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Class Requirements
1.
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5.
Regular preparation, and participation in class discussions (10%)
Attendance (10%)
One hour mid-term examination in class (20%)
Final Examination (30%)
Ten-page final paper examining the manner in which an aspect of the Hindu
dharma texts is reflected in one of the narratives, myths, images etc. we have
examined. (This will all make good sense by the time you get to that stage –
should you be very interested on working on another religious tradition, let me
know and we can adapt this assignment.) (30%)
All written work (with the exception of examinations) must be typed, double-spaced,
with pages numbered and attached to each other. Handwritten and electronic versions
of papers will not be accepted. All works consulted must be properly referenced. Late
papers will be accepted, but will be marked down at a rate of one grade per day late.
Extensions can be arranged, but these must be mutually agreed in advance, in which
case contact me as early as possible. Unforeseen extenuating circumstances should be
documented. Please note that a late grade is always better than a zero grade for that
assignment.
Assignments and Attendance
Approximately one third of each class will be given to discussion. Preparation and
participation in this part of class will count significantly towards your grade. Regular
attendance is also important. One unexcused absence will be excused without affecting
your grade. If you have good reason to be absent more than once please notify of your
situation by email.
Statement for Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to
register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of
verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the
letter is delivered to me (or to TA) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in
STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The phone number
for DSP is (213) 740-0776.
Statement on Academic Integrity
USC seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment. General principles of academic
honesty include the concept of respect for the intellectual property of others, the
expectation that individual work will be submitted unless otherwise allowed by an
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instructor, and the obligations both to protect one’s own academic work from misuse by
others as well as to avoid using another’s work as one’s own. All students are expected
to understand and abide by these principles. Scampus, the Student Guidebook, contains
the Student Conduct Code in Section 11.00, while the recommended sanctions are
located in Appendix A: http://www.usc.edu/dept/publications/SCAMPUS/gov/.
Students will be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and Community
Standards for further review, should there be any suspicion of academic dishonesty. The
Review process can be found at: http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/SJACS/.
Course Outline
Week 1
Introduction to Course
Introduction to course and syllabus.
Introduction to the study of South Asia and South Asian religions – presentation.
Reading on Blackboard:
Article on Wendy Doniger, and extracts from two nineteenth century books.
Week 2
Vedic Religion
Reading:
Selected Vedic texts (on Blackboard)
Olivelle, The Upanishads, Introduction, pp. xli – xlv
Extracts of documentary Altar of Fire in class.
Early Philosophical Traditions: Hindu
The Upanishads: Philosophical Speculation and the Meaning of Ritual.
Reading on Blackboard:
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Olivelle, The Upanishads selections.
Week 3
Introduction to Early Buddhism.
Reading on Blackboard: Theravada Buddhism, Richard Gombrich, pp. 32-86.
Introduction to Jainism.
Reading on Blackboard:
The Jains, Paul Dundas, Chapters 1 and 4,
“The Story of Maheśvaradatta”.
Game of karmic snakes and ladders in class.
Week 4
Dharma: the Ideal Order of the Universe
Reading:
Olivelle, The Law Code of Manu selections.
Epics – The Ramayana (and Mahabharata).
Reading on Blackboard:
Flood, Hinduism, 103-111.
Ramayana, The Forest , “Sita’s Abduction”.
Jain Rama story “The Death of Lakshmana”
Week 5
The Personal God: The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavadgītā - karma , jñāna and yoga.
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Reading:
Thompson, The Bhagavad Gita, pp. 3-62.
Bhagavad Gita II
Further discussion of the Bhagavad Gita.
Also, mid-term review session in class.
Week 6
Mid-term in class
Vishnu
The Personal Supreme God: Vishnu, his avatars, and Krishna.
Reading on Blackboard:
Blurton, Hindu Art, extracts.
Week 7
Krishna and religious courtly poetry
Reading:
Gita Govinda: Love Songs of Radha and Krishna. The whole poem.
Goddesses
Hindu Goddesses.
Reading:
Kinsley, Hindu Goddesses. Ch. 2 and 8. On Blackboard.
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Week 8
Shiva
Śiva.
Reading on Blackboard:
Michaels, A. Hinduism Past and Present, 215-223.
Translations of Tamil devotional hymns to Shiva.
Possession
What role does possession play in South Asian religions? What is meant by “tantra”?
Reading:
Frederick Smith, The Self Possessed, extracts on Blackboard.
Jonathan Parry, Death in Benares, Extracts on Blackboard.
Week 9
Tantra, Possession, and the horror film genre
Film: Details TBA.
Week 10
Sacred Space and Pilgrimage – Benares, the city of Shiva.
Film:
The Forest of Bliss
Reading:
Eck, Banaras: City of Light, extracts (on Blackboard.)
Later Buddhism, including Art and Architecture
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Mahāyāna Buddhism: Philosophy
Reading:
Vimalakīrtinirdeśasūtra – extracts on Blackboard.
Tibetan tantric Buddhist text on the consecration of images-extracts on Blackboard.
Week 11
Temples and Art
Puja and Temple - the physical expression of devotion.
Reading:
Diana Eck, Darśan, pp.1-75.
Visit to Hindu temple, to be scheduled.
Week 12
Religion in the Home: Vrats
Reading on Blackboard:
Mary McGee, “Desired Fruits: Motive and Intention in the Votive Rites of Hindu
Women.”
South Asian Religious Art
Visit to LACMA, to be scheduled with a view to looking at Hindu, Buddhist and Jain
art.
Week 13
Islam in South Asia.
Reading:
Everything in the “About Arampur” section:
http://virtualvillage.wesleyan.edu/about/index.html
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also:
http://virtualvillage.wesleyan.edu/topics/society.html
and all the sub- sections under religion:
http://virtualvillage.wesleyan.edu/topics/religion.html
Medieval devotional movements and Sikhism
Reading:
Hawley, Songs of the Saints of India, Introduction and chapters on Mirabai, Tulsidas,
Kabir and Nanak.
Week 14
Sikhism
Reading:
Textual Sources for the Study of Sikhism, ed. and trans. W. H. McLeod, extracts on
Blackboard.
Week 15
Hinduism in Contemporary North America.
Followed by:
Review session