Rhedir gan School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credyd neu 10.000 Credyd ECTS

Semester 1

Trefnydd: Dr Joshua Andrews

This module examines the diversity that defines modern Hinduism. Initially, the course will establish a historical overview, exploring the central features of the Indus Valley and Aryan cultures, before examining how these cultures have inspired the practice of modern Hinduism. From here the module will investigate the central beliefs and practices associated with the three largest Hindu denominations, Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism. Here students will analyse how each denomination approaches central ideas found in Hindu philosophy, such as karma, dharma and moksha, before addressing practices that are distinct to each tradition. Finally, the course will concentrate on the significance of mythology within each of the Hindu denominations, evaluating the role that myth plays in establishing social norms and addressing contemporary ethical concerns.

This module explores the development of Hinduism over the last four millennia in order to establish what it means to practice Hinduism in the 21st Century. Focusing on the largest denominations of Hinduism, the course examines a wide range of religious practices, covering issues as diverse as yoga, aestheticism and animal sacrifice, exploring the philosophical and historical foundations of such practices. The course will continue by questioning the issues facing Hindus who practice their faith in diaspora, exploring how specific traditions have evolved and synthesised when practised within the west. The course will finally examine the rich mythology that central to modern Hinduism, addressing how myths are essential in establishing both identity and social values.

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Very Good B- - B+. Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:  Very good structure and logically developed arguments.  Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.  Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning.  Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

trothwy

Threshold: D- - D +. Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:  Generally accurate but with omissions and errors.  Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning.  Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions.  Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

C- i C+

Good C- - C +. Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates:  Good structure and logically developed arguments.  At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.  Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and sound reasoning.  Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

1. To examine how the three largest theological denominations express devotion to their chosen deity, both in India and as part of the Hindu diaspora.

2. To assess the contribution of Hindu mythology in establishing a Hindu response to contemporary world issues.

3. To examine common themes found within Hindu mythology.

4. Have a clear understanding of the central doctrines of Hinduism and how they are interpreted by distinct denominations that exist within the religion.

5. To recognise the historical and philosophical factors that led to the development of the three largest denominations within Hinduism.

6. Develop a critical awareness of the historical foundations of Hinduism and their impact on the practice of the religion today.

Math	Enw	Disgrifiad	Pwysau
	Glossary		30.00
	Presentation		30.00
	Essay		40.00

		Oriau
Lecture		22
Seminar		11
Private study		167

• Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
• Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
• Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
• Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
• Sgiliau Rhyngbersonol - Gallu gofyn cwestiynau, gwrando'n astud ar atebion a'u harchwilio
• Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
• Cyflwyniad - Gallu cyflwyno gwybodaeth ac esboniadau yn glir i gynulleidfa. Trwy gyfryngau ysgrifenedig neu ar lafar yn glir a hyderus.
• Gwaith Tîm - Gallu cydweithio'n adeiladol ag eraill ar dasg gyffredin, ac/neu fod yn rhan o dîm gweithio o ddydd i ddydd
• Mentora - Gallu cefnogi, helpu, arwain, ysbrydoli ac/neu hyfforddi eraill
• Rheloaeth - Gallu defnyddio, cydlynu a rheoli adnoddau (dynol, ffisegol ac/neu ariannol)
• Dadl - Gallu cyflwyno, trafod a chyfiawnhau barn neu lwybr gweithredu, naill ai gydag unigolyn neu mewn grwˆp ehangach
• Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.
• Arweinyddiaeth - Gallu arwain a rheoli, datblygu cynlluniau gweithredu ac amcanion, cynnig arweiniad a chyfarwyddyd i eraill, ac ymdopi â'r pwysau sy'n gysylltiedig ag awdurdod o'r fath

• Precision of thought and expression in the analysis and formulation of complex and controversial problems.
• Sensitivity in interpretation of religious and philosophical texts drawn from a variety of ages and/or traditions.
• Clarity and rigour in the critical assessment of arguments presented in such texts.
• The ability to use and criticise specialised religious and philosophical terminology.
• The ability to abstract and analyse arguments, and to identify flaws in them, such as false premises and invalid reasoning.
• The ability to consider unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking, and to examine critically presuppositions and methods within the disciplines of philosophy and religion.

Rhestr ddarllen

Flood, Gavin (1996) An Introduction to Hinduism, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Flood, Gavin (ed.) (2003) The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

Knott, K (2000) Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Mittal, Sushil & Thursby, Gene (eds) (2004) The Hindu World. London: Routledge.  Lipner, J. J., Hindus: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices (Routledge, 1994)

Opsiynol mewn cyrsiau:

• VV41: BA Herit, Archae & Hist year 2 (BA/HAH)
• VV42: BA Heritage, Archaeology & History with International Exp year 2 (BA/HAHIE)
• M1V5: LLB Law with Philosophy and Religion year 2 (LLB/LPR)