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| Unit name |
Themes in Modern Hinduism |
| Unit code |
THRS20014 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
|
| Unit director |
|
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department |
Department of Religion and Theology |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit is concerned with studying and understanding the development and manifestations of Neo-Hinduism(s) and re-interpretations of traditional Indian religious thought both in India and the throughout the Hindu diaspora today. Such re-interpretations and consequent manifestations began with a process which started in the eighteenth century and was influenced by politicians, orientalists, scholars and missionaries. We shall examine the Indian response to western ideas and how they led to rationalist, universalist and militant Hindu reactions often summed up by the phrase the 'Hindu Renaissance.' This unit will also look at some of the most influential figures and personalities involved in this process and analyse some of the key events that have shaped modern Hinduism in the world today. Finally this module will present a picture of Hinduism outside India and the new Hindu religious movements that have emerged as a result of western interest in eastern spirituality.
Aims:
- To examine the causes that have bought about the development of Hindu reform movements in the nineteenth century.
- To analyse the role that orientalists, missionaries and scholars have played in the ‘Hindu renaissance’.
- To examine some of the major figures involved in the reinterpretation of Hinduism.
- To asses the influence of the Hindu reform movements on the development of contemporary Indian nationalism.
- To examine the influence that such reform movements have had on Hinduism outside India in recent years.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the unit the student will have expected to:
- Have acquired a thorough knowledge of the origins of and causes of developments in modern Hinduism and how this differs from the Hinduism that preceded the eighteenth century.
- Have acquired skills in assessing the contribution of key figures and events in the development of contemporary Hinduism in India and throughout the Hindu Diaspora
- Have gained an understanding of how the Hindu reform movements contributed to forms of contemporary Indian nationalism.
- Have acquired skills through group discussion and presentations in weekly seminars and through assessed essays that will illustrate the students ability to analyse and evaluate the complex development of modern Hinduism relating to the subject matter.
Teaching Information
1 x weekly Lecture plus 1 x weekly Seminar
Assessment Information
1 essay of 2500 words plus 1 unseen exam of 2 hours (each worth 50% of the overall mark)
Reading and References
- P. Williams, An Introduction Swāmīnārāyan Hinduism (CUP, 2001)
- D. Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism (CUP 1996)
- R. Klostermaier, A Survey Of Hinduism (SUNYP 1994)
- C. Ram-Prasad in Flood, The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism ( Blackwell 2003,2005)
