Schedule of Topics and Readings

NOTE: readings marked with a single asterisk designate a rereading of pages assigned previously and marked “skim.”  These should be read carefully the second time around. Also, the abbreviations used for course texts may be found under "Required Texts." When readings are listed by chapter you should read the entire chapter, unless a particular set of pages is indicated in parentheses after the chapter listing --e.g., “chapter 4 (150-75).” Finally, note that beginning in Unit 1 classes are listed in Wednesday/Monday pairs. You should finish roughly half of the reading by the Wednesday session, though what you read need not be sequentially the first half of the pages assigned. The rest of the readings must be completed by the following Monday’s class.

Introductory (week #1)

Sep 4 (W): Opening class                                                    [Review Syllabus & Course Policies]

Sep 9 (M): General Introduction                                       HLB, chapter 1 (1-65; but skim 14-27,
                                                                                                                                    32-44, 50-57)

                                                                                                SIP, chapter 1;
                                                                                                         chapter 2 (skim 19-30);
                                                                                                         chapter 3 (69-91)

WWW: about Shankara, according to a contemporary teaching order (Home Site)
              about Shankara, from an opposing [Hare Krishna] viewpoint (Home Site)                            
              the official site of the Shankara center at Shringeri 
              the official site of Shringeri's rival institution in South India (w/video links)

Unit 1: Hindu & Buddhist Religious Contexts (weeks #2-4)

Sep 11 & 16: Vedic Ritual & Pedagogy                              HLB, chapters 2 & 3

                                                                                                “Agnihotra Excerpts” (*R*)

                                                                                                *HLB, chapter 1 (14-27, 32-44)

WWW: a general description of vedic ritual by a group of South Indian brahmins (Home Site)
            an agnihotra therapy site, based in India!
                  (including a collection of articles from their newsletter)
            more sites describing agnihotra as therapy (1) & (2)
            the editorial response of an angry Indian reader

Sep 18 & 23: Upanishads                                                   HLB, chapter 4

                                                                                                "Upanishad Excerpts" (*R*)

                                                                                                *HLB, chapter 1 (50-57)

Sep 25 & 30: The Buddha & Buddhist Ritual                    Ray, "Buddhist Saints...(excerpts)" (*R*)

                                                                                                Thanissaro, "Wings...(excerpts) (*R*)

                                                                                                *SIP, chapter 2 (19-30)

                                                                                                EAVB, chapter 3 (skim 87-90)

TOP

Unit 3: Philosophy of Language & Awareness (weeks #5-8)

Oct 2 & 7: Samskrta Language Training                           HLB, chapter 5; chapter 6 (236-50)
                                                                                                         chapter 7 (266-301, 328-38)

Oct 9 (W): Introduction to Early Vedanta                      SIP, chapter 2 (42-68, 91-104)

                                                                                                HLB, chapter 7 (301-28, 338-44)

[Oct 14 (M): Fall Break (no class)]

Oct 16 & 21: Early Vedaanta                                           EAVB, Appendix (233-48)
                                          & Mahaayaana Buddhism            *EAVB, chapter 3 (87-90)
                                                                                                EAVB, chapter 4

                                                                                                SIP, chapter 5 (145-72)

Oct 23 & 28: Saamkhyaa, Yoga, & Buddhism                    “Saamkhyaa-kaarikaa
                                                                                                                        of EEshvarakrshna” (*R*)

                                                                                                EAVB, chapters 5 & 6;
                                                                                                                        and "Conclusions' (235-41)

                                                                                                SIP, chapter 5 (172-98)

TOP

Unit 4: Ritual, Insight, & Ultimate Reality (weeks #9-12)

Oct 30 & Nov 4: Meemaamsaa (Ritual Theory)               HLB, chapter 6 (250-65);
                                                                                                        chapter 8 (345-79, 402-9)

                                                                                                SIP, chapter 6 (199-218)

Nov 6 & 11: Vedaanta (Insight)                                       HLB, chapter 8 (380-402, 409-45)

                                                                                                SIP, chapter 2 (30-42)
                                                                                                        chapter 4; chapter 6 (218-35)

Nov 13 & 18: Tarka (Logical Discernment)                      HLB, chapter 8 (446-55)

                                                                                                SIP, chapter 7

                                                                                                EAVB, chapter 7

Nov 20 & Dec 2: Later Systematizations                         HLB, chapter 9

                                                                                                TkS, VedS, or MPbh

TOP

Concluding Reflections (weeks #13-14)

During the last three classes of the term— Dec 4-11--you will step back from the particular traditions studied closely in the previous two units of the course, and reflect on how you might plan your final paper.  Each student will share insights and ideas about her or his project with the rest of the class, as well as in a one-on-one meeting with me.

**Final Paper Due December 21st by 9 am**