DESCRIPTION: Continuation of "Religions of India: the Formative Period," which may be taken independently of the earlier course, relating religious practices and ideas of the Indian subcontinent during the medieval and modern periods to broader cultural developments, including visual arts and literature. [Download map of India] (3 units, GE area: C1)

THIS SECTION highlights the development of Mahaayaana Buddhist and Jain art, literature, and architecture (first millennium CE); the increasing influence of Hindu Vaishnava and Shaiva literature and iconography during the same period; as well as Sikh and hybrid traditions growing out of the interaction of Hindu, Islamic and Western Christian traditions (early and late second millennium, respectively). We will consider in particular three aspects of the way South Asian individuals in the medieval and modern periods have both transmitted & modified these religious traditions (1) reflection regarding supernatural realities (i.e., spirits, gods, & spiritual forces); (2) the specific rituals & customs that have inspired and supported such reflection; and (3) the diverse communities, from particular families to broader institutions, in which such reflection and practices have taken place. [Read more about this focus.] Team-based learning will be the primary mode of engaging with primary sources (see www.teambasedlearning.org).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: my intention is that you should, after taking this course, be able to:

1. (a) effectively answer basic questions, posed by a peer unfamiliar with the religions of India, regarding key terms, images and primary sources related to the medieval & modern South Asian religious life, as reflected in both readings and visual records; and
   (b) locate reliable scholarly sources that address aspects of South Asian religious life that you don't understand, and formulate questions to guide your reading of those sources.
2. (a) describe accurately and precisely, again for a peer unfamiliar with the religions of India, the way that primary sources written by South Asians themselves feature the key terms and images mentioned in #1(a); and
   (b) present a balanced selection of excerpts from those sources that supports your statements about them.
3. (a) compare and contrast, for other members of the class, both specific examples and broader themes from the South Asian traditions mentioned above; and
   (b) compare and contrast the South Asian traditions you study in class with those you observe directly at local worship sites.
4. effectively communicate with others while refining the skills listed in #1-3.
5. appreciate both the emotional impact and intellectual fascination of South Asian culture.
6. continue to investigate, as modeled in throughout the course, the religion and culture of the people you encounter throughout your life.

SOURCES: You are responsible for obtaining the printed sources listed below, and for bringing assigned readings to each class meeting. In the schedule provided below, I refer to theses sources using the BOLD CAPITAL abbreviations next to each title.

      Donald Lopez, Ed. Religions of India in Practice (RIIP) [ISBN #0691-04324-8]
      Richard Davis, Worshiping Shiva in Medieval India (WSMI) [ISBN #81-208-1747-8]
                                                               (all of the above available at the Hornet Bookstore)
      Daniel Cozort, The Sand Mandala of Vajrabhairava (SMV) [available at Copy Central, 925 Howe Avenue, 641-5535]
      "HRS 178B: Religions of India" Course Pack (CP) [printed by and available from www.universityreaders.com
                            at the above URL (click the "Buy Here " button at the top right side) or call 1-800-200-3908]    

Also Recommended (for those with braoder interests in Asian art & literature):

      John D. La Plante, Asian Art [McGraw Hill, 1992: ISBN # 0-697-11591-7]
      Tony Barnstone, ed., Literatures of the East [Prentice Hall, 2003: ISBN # 0-13-061368-1]
      Donald Lopez, ed., Religions of Asia in Practice [Princeton Univ. Press, 2002: # 0-691-09061-1]
      Encyclopedia Britannica (On-line entries re: Asian art & religion)

ATTENDANCE: This course relies heavily on interactive learning, and such learning cannot take place without your being physically and mentally present in the classroom.  As per the department's policy for courses that meet twice a week, after an allowable maximum of two absences, fifty (50) points will be subtracted (= 1/2 grade) from your overall score for the class for each class missed. Also, repeated tardiness and/or consistent failure to bring assigned reading materials are both highly distracting, and either may be counted as an absence; leaving class early will mostly likely count as a full absence.

CLASSROOM PROTOCOLS: I also students who arrive late to wait outside the door for a pause in the class presentation (usually 10-15 minutes). Please handle cell phones as you would on an airplane: keep them turned off and stowed away for the entire duration of the class.

Once the class has started, I ask that everyone remain seated during all presentations involving the entire class. Also, please be mindful of sights, sounds, and smells that are distracting to the instructor and other students, such as eating, leaving cell phones turned on, and side conversing with a neighbor while someone else is speaking to the class. If you wish to use a laptop, send me a description of exactly what you plan to use it for; please wait to receive my approval before opening it during a class presentation.

Exceptions to the above-stated policies may be granted in rare instances for compelling reasons, which generally must be verified in writing by a medical or some other professional. An absence will be considered unexcused until and unless you present documentation to explain it--ideally by the next class that you are able to attend, or as soon therafter as possible.

EMAIL: in order to receive updates regarding class sessions throughout the term, you are required to maintain an active email address for the duration of the course. Please send me an email to confirm this within the first ten days of the term; to facilitate my handling of student correspondence, please include the abbreviation "[ROI]" in the subject heading of all emails. You may register for an advertisement-free email account from any open lab on campus; if you need help, call (278-7337) or visit the Saclink Desk (on the second floor of the Academic Information Resource Center, just behind the library--follow signs to your right when exiting the elevator, all the way to Room 2005); or simply go to www.saclink.csus.edu and follow the instructions for "Set up Saclink" in the left-hand column.

ASSIGNMENTS: In order to successfully finish this course you must complete
1. four (4) RPTs ( "reading preparation tests") (3 x 50 points, 300 points total)
   [composite of individual and team scores, with lowest score dropped]
2. a portfolio of in-class team assignments (300 points total):
   [includes a 100 point peer evaluation and 50 points for individual homework]
3. two (2) mini-midterms (1 page take-home, 2 x 50 points, 100 points total)
4. two (2) observation reports (5-6 pages each, 2 x 100 points, 200 points total)
5. one (1) mini-final (4 page take-home, 100 points)
[GRADING SCALE: 940-1000 points=A, 900-939=A-, 870-899=B+, 840--879=B, 800-839=B-, etc.]

GRADING POLICIES: Barring genuine emergencies, no make-ups are available for RPTs. Generally no rewrites of journal reports are allowed; however you may wish to show me prelimary drafts (submitted for review at least three days prior to the deadline). If you have a documented disability and verification from the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities (Lassen Hall 1008, x6955), and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact me within the first two weeks of the term.

I will generally elect severe penalties for academic dishonesty on tests and observation reports: a zero score for the assignment, and failing the course for a second offense. You are responsible for reading my comments regarding the importance of academic honesty in FAQ, #10-13, and for requesting clarification if there is anything you do not understand.

Finally, students needing extra time to complete their work for the course must submit an application for an incomplete grade, available in MND 2011. Without this form I cannot assign an imcomplete grade..

SCHEDULE: All readings listed should be completed by the day under which they are listed. All numbers in the schedule are page numbers unless otherwise noted.

Introduction: South Asia, Contemporary Sacramento, & Team-Based Learning

Unit 1: Buddhist India & the "Great Vehicle" (1st BCE-7th CE)

Unit 2: Ascetics & Medieval Tantric Traditions (?-12th CE)

Unit 3: Hindu Temple Worship & Popular Devotion (5th-16th CE)

Unit 4: Muslims, Sikhs, & Modern Hindus (11th-20th CE)

Tuesday, May 21: **Mini-Final DUE** (@MND 2016)

DISCLAIMER:  As you will learn from this term’s study of South Asian traditions (if you didn’t know it already!) the nature of life is change.  In creating this syllabus I have tried to be as careful as possible to get all the details right.  However in certain situations, whenever I notice that an error has been made--or that a change would significantly further the objectives of the course--I reserve the right to make alterations in the syllabus. I will always give you at least three day’s notice, both in class and by sending out an email about the change.

OTHER COURSES OF INTEREST: • Asian Civilization" (HIS 006) • "Art of India &Southeast Asia" (ART 117A) • "Cultures of South Asia" (ANTH 149)