The module is designed to:

a)         Introduce students to some of the major texts of Brahminical Hinduism

b)        Acquaint students with the main practices, beliefs and social forms found and reflected in such literature.

c)         Foster an awareness of the problematical nature of translation.

On completion of the module a student should be able to:
 

Knowledge and Understanding:

a)         to identify accurately passages from most or all of the texts studied;

b)         to provide a coherent and relevant analysis of the content of such texts;

c)         to demonstrate a sound knowledge of their historical, religious and social contexts;

d)         to recognise the strengths and limitations of particular translations and of various ways of translating

Reading classes and seminars.

Students should note that it will be necessary to read the prescribed text(s) and secondary material as instructed, in advanceof each class, and that no formal lectures will be given.  As a result of such reading, students, individually and in pairs (or as part of a group), will be expected to comment in class on the content, context, and meaning of the relevant texts.

The material will be examined mainly from the historical and hermeneutical perspectives (i.e. the major concerns will be to uncover meaning in relation to context, and the mutation of meaning over time).  These approaches may be supplemented by some form critical and literary analysis.

Intellectual Skills:

all traditional intellectual skills, such as critical analysis and evaluation of evidence.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

the ability to evaluate different translations of the same text.

critical engagement with the beliefs and behaviour of others.

Transferable Skills:

effective oral and written communication.

effective organisation of material.

the ability to argue cogently from the evidence.

the ability to work collaboratively and effectively as a member of a group.

the ability to undertake independent learning and thought, and to reflect on the results.

familiarity with IT and computer programmes for the production of clear and typographically clean documents.

Summative assessment (evaluating student performance)consists of:

·       an unseen three hour examination

Formative assessment (enhancing student learning)consists of:

·       individual and group feedback

·       individual feedback on one 2000 word essay

·       individual feedback on a mock 2 hour exam

The syllabus will normally contain such elements as:

·       learning how to evaluate translations without first-hand knowledge of the original language;

·       an examination of the origins and development of the following key concepts (among others):ßrutiand sµ®ti, yajñaand yajamåna, saµskåras, karmaand saµsåra, dharma, svadharma and varˆåßramadharma, saµnyåsaand mok∑a, ahiµså, Såµkhyaand Yoga, brahmanand åtman, the beginnings of bhakti, with reference to extracts from some or all of the following texts:

Ùg Veda

Bråhmaˆas

Major Upani∑ads

Laws of Manu and theDharma SËtras

Bhagavadg¥tå

Saµnyåsa Upani∑ads

other related works.

O'Flaherty, W. (ed. & tr.) The Rig Veda (Penguin, 1981)

Olivelle, P. (ed. & tr.) Upani∑ads (Oxford World's Classics, 1996)

Olivelle, P. (ed. & tr.) Saµnyåsa Upani∑ads (OUP, 1992)

W.J. Johnson (tr.) Bhagavad G¥tå (Oxford World's Classics, 1994)

Olivelle, P. (tr.) DharmasËtras (Oxford World's Classics, 1999)

Doniger, W. & Smith, B.K. (trs.)  The Laws of Manu (Penguin Classics, 1991)

Basham, A.L.(ed.) A Cultural History of India (OUP, 1975)

Basham, A.L.  The Wonder That Was India (Fontana, 1974)

Biardeau, M  Hinduism: The Anthropology of a Civilization (OUP, 1989)

Brockington, J.L. The Sacred Thread  (Edinburgh, 1981)

Flood, G.  An Introduction to Hinduism  (Cambridge, 1996)

Frauwallner, E. History of Indian Philosophy 2 vols. (Delhi, 1973)

Halbfass, W.  Tradition and Reflection: Explorations in Indian Thought(1992)

Hardy, F. The Religious Culture of India: Power, Love, and Wisdom(CUP, 1994)

Hardy, F. (ed.)   The Religions of Asia[article by Hardy] (Routledge, 1990)  also in The World's Religions (Sutherland et al., eds.) (Routledge, 1988)

Hopkins, T.J.   The Hindu Religious Tradition  (Mass., 1971)

Johnson, W. J.  Dictionary of Hinduism (Oxford, 2009)

Klostermaier, K.K.  A Survey of Hinduism  (New Delhi, 1990)

Lipner, J.  Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices(Routledge, 1994)

Malamoud, C. (tr. D. White)  Cooking the World: Ritual and Thought in Ancient India(OUP, 1996)

Stutley, M. & J. (eds.)   A Dictionary of Hinduism  (RKP, 1977)

Weber, M.   The Religion of India  (New York, 1967)

Weightman, S.'Hinduism' in Hinnells, J.R.(ed.)  A Handbook of Living Religions   (Pelican, 1985)

Zaehner, R.C.   Hinduism  (Oxford, 1966)

Zimmer, H.  Philosophies of India  (Princeton, 1951)

Zimmer, H.    Myths and Symbols in Indian Art and Civilization (Princeton, 1972)