WHEATON COLLEGE
Norton, Massachusetts
HINDUISM SEMINAR
Religion 325
Fall 1999
Jeffrey R. Timm
103 Knapton, ext. 3695.
Office hours: Tues and Thurs, 9-10:30 and by appointment.
Jtimm@wheatonma.edu
This course is a thematic and conceptual exploration
of a fascinating collection of views, practices, and beliefs
called Hinduism. This diversity has overwhelmed Western sensibilities
since the first European explorers and traders visited South
Asia. Hinduism has successfully spurned the onslaught of three
great missionary religions (Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity)
and yet it has developed the reputation of being the religion
of "tolerance." What is Hinduism? How can an
outsider begin to grasp the meaning of this vast array of religious
forms? What do the speculations of a Brahmin philosopher have
in common with the piety of an ordinary villager?
To understand Hindu thought we will explore the primary which
provide foundation to Hindu religious expression; but to enter
into the Hindu worldview we must also discover its religious
expression in literature, art, music, ritual practices, and social
order. Short of going to India, one of the ways we can experience
the vitality of this faith is through field research at this
area's active Hindu temple in Ashland, MA. Another way is through
the medium of film. A number of films on the religion and culture
of India are scheduled for viewing during the semester. This,
in conjunction with our shared readings and individual research,
will enable us to discover how the collection of perspectives
known as Hinduism finds concrete expression through sacred text,
myth, ritual, art, literature, and in the day-to-day life of the
Indian people.
Course Format and Basis for Evaluation
This course will be conducted as a seminar (with short lectures
from time to time). Each seminar member is expected to attend
each class with the reading prepared and the appropriate text
in hand. Quality class participation will significantly enhance
the final grade.
Each seminar member will write three thought papers (4-5 pages
each) during the semester, as well as make a presentation to the
class on a book assigned by the instructor. A longer, final
research paper (12-15 pages) will be due during exam week.
Instead of this final paper, you may choose to do a take-home,
open-book essay exam of similar length.
Required Texts
The Rig Veda trans. by O'Flaherty, Penguin: 1984
The Upanishads trans. by Prabhavananda, Mentor: 1957
The Song of God, Bhagavad Gita Mentor: 1972
Classical Hindu Mythology Temple University Press: 1978
Samskara: A Rite for a Dead Man Oxford: 1978
Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices Routledge: 1994
Suggested Texts
Eliot Deutsch. Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Reconstruction. East-West Center Press, 1969.
Diana L. Eck. Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India. 2nd ed. Anima, 1985.
Harold Coward and David Goa. Mantra: Hearing the Divine in India. Anima, 1991.
David R. Kinsley. The Sword and the Flute. University of California Press, 1975.
Kirin Narayan. Storytellers, Saints, and Scoundrels. University of PA Press, 1989.
Attendance/Participation Policy: One unexcused absence is allowed. Regular participation in class discussion will enhance the final grade.