Unit information: Yoga and Devotion: Hindu Paths of Practice in 2012/13

Unit name	Yoga and Devotion: Hindu Paths of Practice
Unit code	THRS30108
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Emeritus Professor. Gethin
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit focuses on three of the principal paths of Hindu religious practice: yoga, bhakti and tantra. We begin by looking at the theory and practice of yoga, the quintessential renouncer's practice, as found in the classic exposition of Patanjali's Yoga-sktras. We then turn to Hindu devotionalism (bhakti) as exemplified by the trope of the cowgirls and R
dh
's love for Krishna in the Bh
gavata Pur
Ga and G+tagovinda (also taking a brief look in this context at Indian painting and music). Finally we consider the history and development of the transgressive practices associated the sexualized rituals and yoga of Hindu Tantra.

Aims:

• to develop further an understanding of some of specific ideas and practices of Hinduism;

• to develop an understanding of how these ideas and practices interconnect and inform the dynamic of 'Hinduism' more generally ;

• to introduce students to the study of some primary Hindu textual material in translation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will be expected to have:

• an understanding of the nature of Hindu yoga, devotionalism and tantra;

• a sense of how the ideas and practices associated with Hindu yoga, devotionalism and tantra interconnect and inform the dynamic of Hinduism more generally;

• direct experience of some primary Hindu textual materials in translation.

And additionally (specific to Level H) to:

• Incorporate a consistently strong grasp of detail with respect to content

• Argue effectively and at length (including an ability to cope with complexities and to describe and deploy these effectively)

• Display to a high level skills in selecting, applying, interpreting and organising information, including evidence of a high level of bibliographical control

• Describe, evaluate and challenge current scholarly thinking

• Discriminate between different kinds of information, processes, interpretations

• Take a critical stance towards scholarly processes involved in arriving at historical knowledge and/or relevant secondary literature

• Engage with relevant theoretical, philosophical or social constructs for understanding relevant works or traditions

• Demonstrate an understanding of concepts and an ability to conceptualise

• Situate material within relevant contexts (invoking interdisciplinary contexts where appropriate)

• Apply strategies laterally (perhaps leading to innovative results).

Teaching Information

A one-hour lecture given by the unit tutor followed by a one-hour seminar discussion of primary sources in smaller seminar groups with individual seminar presentation by students.

Assessment Information

One summative coursework essay of c.3000 words (50%) and one 90 minute exam (50%)

Reading and References

Biernacki, Loriliai, Renowned goddess of desire: women, sex, and speech in Tantra (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007)

Bryant, Edwin F., Krishna: the beautiful legend of God (London: Penguin, 2003)

Eliade, M., Yoga, Immortality and Freedom, Second edn (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969)

Bryant, Edwin F., The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (New York: North Point Press, 2009)

Miller, B. S., Gītagovinda of Jayadeva: Love Song of the Dark Lord, (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1984)

Urban, Hugh B., The power of Tantra: religion, sexuality and the politics of South Asian studies (London: I.B. Tauris, 2010)