Postgraduate Course: Diversity and Identity in South Asian Religious Tradition (REST11006)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Divinity |
College |
College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits |
20 |
| Home subject area |
Religious Studies |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None
|
Taught in Gaelic? |
No |
| Course description |
The aim of the course is to analyse the problems associated with homogenised 'world religious' identities, with reference to South Asian traditions, especially 'Hinduism'. This will involve an
analysis of different ways of constructing 'Hindu' identities, and the ways in which these relate to various kinds of diversity and dissent in Hindu traditions. The primary focus will be on the evolution of 'Hindu' identities and ultimately 'Hinduism'/'neo-Hinduism', culminating in a focus on Hindu chauvinism, defined in opposition to a homogenised 'Islam'. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? |
No |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1)
|
WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| New College | Lecture | | 1-11 | 14:00 - 17:00 | | | | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Monday, 14:00 - 17:00, Zone: New College. Senate room |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, students should have achieved the following:
1) An understanding of various kinds of diversity and dissent within South Asian, especially 'Hindu' traditions, and the differing ways these are articulated.
2) An understanding of the complexities associated with identity in South Asia.
3) An ability to critically appraise the use of terms such as 'Hinduism' and 'Hindutva' in academic and popular understanding.
4) A familiarity with and ability to critically assess various kinds of source material as well as different perspectives on these.
5) An ability to analyse 'Western' influences on modern understandings of 'Hinduism'. |
Assessment Information
| Students are required to write an essay of 3,000-4,000 words. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords |
South Asia, India, Hinduism, Orientalism, identity. |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Jeanne Openshaw
Tel: (0131 6)50 8918
Email: J.Openshaw@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Ms Felicity Smail
Tel: 0131 650 7227
Email: F.Smail@ed.ac.uk |
|
copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh -
31 January 2011 8:17 am
|
University Homepage