RELG 231:
Professor: Daniel Meckel
Office:
Margaret Brent 104. Ext. 4464
Email: djmeckel@smcm.edu
Office
hours: Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 PM
Teaching Assistants: Suzanne Ford & Caitlyn
O’Flaherty
Suzanne’s
Email: spford@smcm.edu
Caitlyn’s
Email: csoflaherty@smcm.edu
This course will provide an historical introduction to
Indian Civilization in its major religious forms. We will study Hindu
religions, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam and Sikhism, as these have developed,
interacted, and given form to distinctive ways of life in
Online Resource:
The Story of India: http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/timeline
Required Texts:
Clothey, Fred Religion in
Narayan, The Ramayana
Eck, Diana. Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India.
Coward, Harold. Mantra:
Hearing the Divine in India and America.
Schwartz, Susan. Rasa: Performing the Divine in
India.
Course Schedule
Topics
Videos
in Green
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Readings
and Assignments
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Jan. 18: Introduction to the Course
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Readings and Assignments are due for
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Jan. 20:
HISTORY I: 60,000 BCE to 500 BCE
The Story of India: Beginnings
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Week 2
EARLY
SOURCES OF INDIAN RELIGIONS
Jan. 23: Geography of India
|
·
Clothey, ch.2,
pp.14-20 Download Map Exercise 1 |
Jan. 25: Mantra (1): Apprehending the Divine
Through
Sound
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·
Coward, ch. 1 |
Early Vedic Religion:
Maintaining the World
Jan. 27: The Aryans
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·
Clothey, ch.2,
pp. 20-28 |
Jan. 30: Ecstatic
Visions and the Fire Sacrifice
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Map Exercise 1 due in
class |
Late Vedic Religion:
Renouncing the World
Feb 1: Dharma and The Cycles of Time
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·
Clothey, ch. 3, pp. 30-36 ·
SIT, ch. 2 “The Ultimate
Reality in the Upanishads (blackboard) |
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Feb. 03: Karma and Samsara QUIZ 1 |
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Feb.
06: The Self and the Divine: Atman and Brahman |
·
Klostermaier, “Atman
and Brahman” (blackboard) (on this day’s reading) |
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Feb. 8: World
Renunciation and Liberation: Sanyasa and Moksha |
·
Flood, “Yoga and Renunciation” (blackboard): section
on renunciation |
Feb.
10: Four Hindu Ascetics
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·
Klostermaier, “Karma, Vidya, Moksha: Liberation from
Rebirth” (blackboard) (on this day’s reading) |
Week 5
Feb. 13:
HISTORY II: 500 BCE to 200 BCE
The Story of India: The Power of Ideas
Revised maps due at the beginning
of class |
JAINISM
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Feb. 15:
Introduction to Jainism |
·
Clothey, ch 3, pp. 36-48 Download Map Exercise 2 |
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Feb. 17:
Introduction to Jainism QUIZ 2 |
Week 6
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Feb. 20: Jain
Doctrine and Practice |
·
Padmanabh, The Mendicant
Path and the Attainment of the Goal (blackboard) (on the Padmanabh reading) |
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Feb. 22: No classes (St.
Mary’s Day) |
·
Clothey, ch 4, pp. 51-69. ·
Rahula, The
Buddhist Attitude of Mind; the First Noble Truth (Blackboard) Map Exercise 2 due in
class on the 24th |
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Feb. 24: The Frontiers of Peace |
Week 7
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Feb. 29: The Buddha |
·
Rahula, The
Second Noble Truth, The Third Noble Truth, The Fourth Noble Truth
(Blackboard) (on the three Rahula readings) |
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Mar. 02: The Conditions of Suffering |
Week
8
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Mar. 05: The Cessation of Suffering and the Path to
Enlightenment QUIZ 3 |
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Mar. 07: Mantra (2) Apprehending the Divine
Through
Sound
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·
Coward, ch. 2 (on
the Coward reading) |
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Mar. 09: MIDTERM EXAM (Bring Blue Books) |
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Mar. 12 - 17: Spring Break |
Mar. 19:
HISTORY III: 300 BCE to 1000 CE
The Story of India: Ages of Gold
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Hindu Devotionalism
Mar. 21: Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image
in India
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·
Eck, chs. 1 & 2 (on
Eck ch. 2) |
Mar 23: Hindu Worship - Puja
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Week 11
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Mar. 26: Bhakti
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·
Clothey, ch. 4, pp. 87-111 ·
Fuller, “Gods and Goddesses” (Blackboard) ·
Eck, ch. 3 |
Mar. 28: Gods and Goddesses
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Mar. 30: Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage
Guest
Lecturer: Caitlyn
QUIZ 4 |
Hindu Aesthetics and The Ramayana
Week 12
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·
Schwartz, chs. 1 & 2 |
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Apr. 04: Ramayana |
·
R.K. Narayan, The Ramayana, Prologue & Chs. 1-6 |
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Apr. 06: Ramayana |
·
R.K. Narayan, The Ramayana, Chs.
7-Epilogue |
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Apr. 09: Many Ramayanas |
·
Ramanujan, “A.
K. Three Hundred Ramayanas:
Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translation” (blackboard) (on this day’s reading) |
Performing the Divine
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Apr. 11: Rasa (2): Dance |
·
Schwartz, ch. 3, pp. 21-72 |
ISLAM IN INDIA
Apr. 13:
HISTORY IV: 1100 CE to 1700 CE
The Story of India: The Meeting of Two Oceans
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Week 14
Apr. 16: The Coming of Islam to India
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·
Clothey, ch 6, pp. 122-135 |
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Apr. 18: Rasa (3): Music |
·
Schwartz, ch. 3, pp. 72-98 |
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April 20: Sufism |
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Week
15
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Apr. 23: Video: am a
Sufi, I am a Muslim |
THE SIKHS
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Apr. 25: Sants and Sikhs |
·
Vaudeville, Sant Mat: Santism as the Universal Path to Sanctity (on the Vaudeville
reading) |
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Apr. 27: Sikh Beginnings QUIZ 6 |
·
Clothey ch. 7, pp. 137-159 |
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FINAL
EXAM Saturday, May 05, 9:00 AM -11:15 AM
Bring Blue Books |
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Midterm Exam |
200 |
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Final Exam |
250 |
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Map Exercises |
100 |
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Reaction Papers |
100 (5 at 20 pts. ea.) |
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In-Class Writing |
60 (3 pts ea.) |
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Quizzes |
200 (top 4 at 50 pts ea.) |
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Basic Participation Active Participation |
50 40 (defined below) |
Final Grade Values
1000 Points Possible
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900 to 919 = A- 880 to 899 = B+ 820 to 879 = B 800 to 819 = B- 780 to 799 = C+
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700 to 719 = C- 680 to 699 = D+ 620 to 679 = D 600 to 619 = D- 599 and below = F |
Track your progress in the class on Blackboard
Descriptions of Assignments:
In Class Writing: these are in-class writing exercises for the purpose of anchoring your
knowledge through active use of the information that you get from lectures, films
and readings. They will always receive
full credit so long as they show that you are taking advantage of the
opportunity and using them to learn. I
use these exercises and the graded quizzes (see below) because of research that
shows convincingly that frequent quizzes are very effective in helping with
recall. Also, they give me a chance to
see how and whether each student is grasping the material. Each student begins the semester with full
points for the in-class exercises and I deduct two points if the assignment is
either not done or dramatically incomplete.
Graded Quizzes:
There will be five 20-minute graded quizzes. At the end of
the semester I will count only the top 4 quiz grades at 50 points each. Questions on a quiz can cover anything from
the reading assignments, video, discussion, maps, lectures that followed the
previous quiz, and from the readings for
the day of the quiz. Graded quizzes
will usually consist of short answers and definitions. Several quizzes will include image identification.
My own lecture notes and lists of terms will be posted on the “study aids” page
of the web site to help you stay prepared for class discussions, quizzes and
exams. Missed quizzes receive no points.
A quiz cannot be made up at any other time, regardless of the reasons for
missing it.
Map Exercises: These assignments require
you to get familiar with the geography of the Indian sub-continent, including
its especially sacred locations and features.
It will be graded for accuracy.
Elements of the exercise will show up on exams.
Video Worksheets: You fill these out in class, after a video. Again, I am looking here for you to use the
opportunity to watch/listen actively and anchor your knowledge through
writing. Worksheets gain full points so
long as the student gives a much as s/he can in responding to the question(s).
Midterm and Final Exams: The content of these exams
and my criteria in grading them are described on pages linked to the
“Assignments” page of the course website.
A Few Things to Note:
About Quizzes: The combined scores for quizzes will be worth 200
points. Thus your final grade will
be influenced by how faithful you are to the reading assignments and to the
review of your readings and notes from class
About Grading:
If ever I find that a particular question on a test or quiz is missed by almost
everyone, I will assume that it was unfair or too difficult and throw it out. If ever you
disagree with a grade, you can always
come to me and protest, complain, persuade, etc. I may or may not be convinced, but I will
always listen.
About
Participation: “Participation” means
(1) present, (2) alert, (3) prepared with assignments, (4) punctual
arrival. Lack of any of these will
affect the grade, excessive lack (e.g., more than 3 undocumented absences) is
reason for dismissal from the class.
“Active
Participation”: This refers to participation above and beyond the four criteria
given above; for example when a student asks questions, makes comments, seeks clarification, brings outside
material (like news articles, books, experiences, etc.) to share in class.
Very Important Info:
My Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. Without regular attendance, students do not
tend to do well in the class. I allow
three free days. As a courtesy, please
let me know when you will be taking a free day; there is no need to say
why. After the three free days, each
undocumented absence results in a 20 point reduction. If a student
acquires more than three undocumented absences, s/he must withdraw from the
class. After the deadline for
withdrawal, the student will receive an F for the course. A note from a doctor, dentist, coach, or
funeral director -- with contact information -- is acceptable
documentation. The student must present
the note on the day that he or she
returns to class, otherwise the absence will be counted as undocumented. Without such a note, or in the case of a late
note, the absence will not be counted as documented. Please note that a phone call or email
message saying that you are ill is not sufficient, nor is a note from the
health center confirming an appointment.
Lateness: Late arrival in class is
noted. Three late arrivals result in a
20 point reduction. More than three is
grounds for removal from the class.
Office Hours: My office
number and hours are listed above.
Please make an appointment if you can, but feel completely free to drop
by with your concerns, ideas, questions, etc.
I will always make time if I can.
If need be, we can certainly communicate by email, but in-person is
always best.
Online Syllabus: This online syllabus can be accessed through the Blackboard course page
but I recommend that you bookmark it so as to bypass BB when it goes down. I might well alter the assignment schedule as
seems appropriate or necessary; but I will not change the grading policies.
Email:
Email
Communications: Students are
responsible for checking the online syllabus and their email every day. I will announce any and all changes via email -- e.g.,
a changed deadline or altered reading assignment.
Emailed Assignments: I cannot accept them unless you clear it with me in advance and only under unusual
circumstances. While I appreciate that
print costs are considerable, I consider them a legitimate part of college
expenses. Running out of pay for print
is not a valid reason for submitting an assignment by email.
Computer Failure: It is not a valid excuse for a late assignment. Be sure to back up. Broken or unreliable
computer? Use the computers at the
college computer labs.
Academic dishonesty in any form --
including plagiarism of self or others, falsified documentation of a doctor’s
note, etc. -- will not be tolerated. Cheating of any kind results, without exception, in an “F” for the
course without the option of withdrawal.
Food in class: Drinks and snacks of
the very quiet variety are allowed in class (e.g., poi, rasgula,
duck pate), nothing else.
No activated cell phones in the
classroom (so please turn them off).