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HINDUISM STUDIES

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 3179

Hinduism: An Anthropological Introduction

BTI Category

Semester

Hinduism Studies

SP26

This course will provide an anthropological study to the study of contemporary Hinduism. In doing so, we will  consider the alleged distance between issues defining the study of contemporary Hinduism and the concerns and debates that animated the past scholars of classical Hinduism - populism rather than persuasion, social identitarianism rather than cultural mixing, ritual performance rather than intellectual deliberation, theatrical exhibition rather than reflection, and context rather than text. 

Professor

Class Day & Time

Bagaria

T

5:00 - 6:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

4

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisite?

N

Notes

N

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 3070

Krishna and Christ: Does It Matter?

BTI Category

Semester

Hinduism Studies

SP26

Krishna, a supreme deity of Hindu tradition, and Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christian faith, have been compared and contrasted for well over two centuries. They been understood as similar divine persons, who descend into this world and are embodied here, gather followers, offer wise instructions, save their devotees, and are best approached by love and devotion. But differences have often been emphasized. For centuries, missionaries, scholars, and many ordinary believers have seen Krishna and Christ as competitors., pushing similarities and differences in contexts (most often in India but not only) where true religion, salvation, and conversion were at stake. Questions arose such as these: Are Krishna and Christ mythical or historical figures? The former mythical and the latter historical? Is either divine? Both? Did they truly come into this world, by incarnation or avatara? If they save, how does that happen -- and save from what? Are they moral role models? Can a Hindu love Christ, and a Christian love Krishna? Such were "hot" questions for a very long time, and even today for some. But for many, such questions have lost their urgency in the 21st century. It is good that competition is largely a thing of the past, but it may not be good that the urgency of the comparison -- Krishna and Christ, Christ or Krishna? -- no longer matters to most people. Do we have something to gain by taking both Krishna and Christ seriously? Facing this question sheds light on many larger questions regarding spirituality, religion, and cross-cultural learning. The course proceeds by key readings, discussed vigorously in class, but experience, practices, and images are important as well. Course requirements include brief weekly written responses to readings, and two 12-page course papers, but no final examination. Jointly offered in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as Religion 64.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Clooney

MW

5:00 - 6:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

4

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisite?

N

Notes

N

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 3919

Introduction to the Upanisads

BTI Category

Semester

Hinduism Studies

SP26

This seminar introduces the ancient Indian Upanisads, some of the oldest and most famous primary texts of Vedic and Hindu India, ranging from before 700 BCE to 200 BCE and later. Select later Upanisads too will be considered, and the reception of the Upanisads in the Vedanta traditions, both nondualist and theistic nondualist. Topics include: the nature of self and of absolute reality; knowledge as transformative; the limits of language; the role of God in a nondualist worldview; meditation practice; death and rebirth; knowledge and ethics. Texts will be read in translation. No language or course prerequisites, but students will be encouraged to make use of any such expertise. Jointly offered in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences as Religion 1061.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Clooney

T

5:00 - 6:50 PM

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Credits

4

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisite?

N

Notes

N

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