Courses on Indian culture and heritage

Beginners.  Level 1...

1 week

Introduction to Indian Culture

The enchanting exteriors

Festivals Food Temples sculpture

Dance drama literature

Rituals main scriptures

Mahavakyas and main philosophy

Tourist spots

etiquettes

Main tenets and the spiritual core of culture

The sages saints dharma rajya rajarshi

Ancient trade and rich life

According to Sri Aurobindo, spirituality is the master-key of Indian culture because the Indian spirit saw since the beginning of its cultural development that the material, vital, and mental aspects of life do not get their full meaning until they are rightly related to the spiritual reality. This 16-week-long course will provide learners a broad overview of spiritual foundations of Indian culture. The learners will also have an opportunity to engage in cross-cultural study and analysis.

In addition to the main text, Sri Aurobindo’s The Renaissance in India and Other Essays on Indian Culture, the reading material also includes several articles and selections from other relevant books. Learners will be required to present critical summaries of assigned readings and incorporate their personal observations and reflections in their written assignments.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The learner is expected to:

Develop a broad understanding of the spiritual foundations of Indian culture.

Examine the timeless significance and relevance of life-affirming spirituality that is the essence of Indian culture according to Sri Aurobindo.

Develop a cross-cultural understanding of Indian spiritual traditions.

Level 2 . Intermediate level

COURSE THEMES AND TOPICS

This course is divided into FOUR blocks, and each block consists of several weekly units. The main themes and topics covered in each unit and assigned readings for that are presented below.

BLOCK	WEEKS	MAIN THEME
I	1-5	Fundamentals of Indian Culture
II	6-11	Religion & Spirituality in India
III	12-14	Timeless Spirit of Indian Traditions
IV	15-16	Learner Directed Research Project

BLOCK ONE (UNITS 1-5): FUNDAMENTALS OF INDIAN CULTURE

Unit 1-3: Weeks 1-3:  August 15-September 5, 2010

Discovery of the Essence of Indian Civilization

Defining Culture, Cross-cultural Appreciation

Significance of India in Sri Aurobindo’s Thought and Vision

How to Judge Cultures and Civilizations

Myths and Misunderstandings about Indian Culture

Level 3. Advanced Level

COURSE THEMES AND TOPICS

This course is divided into FOUR blocks, and each block consists of several weekly units. The main themes and topics covered in each unit and assigned readings for that are presented below.

BLOCK	WEEKS	MAIN THEME
I	1-5	Infinite expressions of Indian Culture
II	6-11	Literature and Poetry in India
III	12-14	Paintings sculpture Architecture Polity Economics
IV	15-16	Learner Directed Research Project

BLOCK ONE (UNITS 1-5): FUNDAMENTALS OF INDIAN CULTURE

Unit 1-3: Weeks 1-3:  August 15-September 5, 2010

Discovery of the Essence of Indian Civilization

Defining Culture, Cross-cultural Appreciation

Significance of India in Sri Aurobindo’s Thought and Vision

How to Judge Cultures and Civilizations

Myths and Misunderstandings about Indian Culture

Assigned Readings:

Mohanty, S. (2008). Sri Aurobindo: A Contemporary Reader, Editor’s Prologue: The Foundations of Indian Culture, pp. 143-148, 157-163, 171-173.

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, Chapters on A Rationalistic Critic on Indian Culture, parts 1-3, pp. 97-132.

Units 4-5: Weeks 4-5: September 6-20, 2010

Life-affirming Nature of Indian Spirituality

Life-value of Indian Culture

Human Existence and Organization of Life

Meaning of Dharma  

Assigned Readings:

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, Chapters on A Rationalistic Critic on Indian Culture, parts 4-6, pp. 133-177.

BLOCK TWO (UNITS 6-11): RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY IN INDIA

Units 6-9: Weeks 6-9: September 21- October 19, 2010

Differences of Outlook on Religion in India and the West

Fundamental Ideas of Indian Religion

Characteristics of Indian Religious Temperament

Evolutionary Stages of Indian Religion and Spirituality

Aims of Human Life

Application of Indian Ideals to Life

Gradation and Complexity of Religious Development and Spiritual Evolution

Assigned Readings:

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, Chapters on Indian Spirituality and Life - parts 1-5, pp. 178-254.

Units 10-11: Week 10-11: October 20-November 3, 2010

The Right Order of Human Life: The Indian View

The Real Spirit Behind the Chaturvarnya: Not a Rigid Caste Hierarchy

Problems with Politicization of Caste

Assigned Readings:

Mohanty, S. (2008). Sri Aurobindo: A Contemporary Reader, Editor’s Prologue: The Foundations of Indian Culture, pp. 143-148, 157-163, 171-173.

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, Chapters on A Rationalistic Critic on Indian Culture, parts 1-3, pp. 97-132.

Units 4-5: Weeks 4-5: September 6-20, 2010

Life-affirming Nature of Indian Spirituality

Life-value of Indian Culture

Human Existence and Organization of Life

Meaning of Dharma  

Assigned Readings:

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, Chapters on A Rationalistic Critic on Indian Culture, parts 4-6, pp. 133-177.

BLOCK TWO (UNITS 6-11): RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY IN INDIA

Units 6-9: Weeks 6-9: September 21- October 19, 2010

Differences of Outlook on Religion in India and the West

Fundamental Ideas of Indian Religion

Characteristics of Indian Religious Temperament

Evolutionary Stages of Indian Religion and Spirituality

Aims of Human Life

Application of Indian Ideals to Life

Gradation and Complexity of Religious Development and Spiritual Evolution

Assigned Readings:

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, Chapters on Indian Spirituality and Life - parts 1-5, pp. 178-254.

Units 10-11: Week 10-11: October 20-November 3, 2010

The Right Order of Human Life: The Indian View

The Real Spirit Behind the Chaturvarnya: Not a Rigid Caste Hierarchy

Problems with Politicization of Caste

Assigned Readings:

Basu, S. (1995). The Caste System of India: An Aurobindonian Perspective, A Research Monograph. School of Sri Aurobindo Studies, Sri Aurobindo Pathmandir, Calcutta.

Sri Aurobindo (September 20, 1907). The Unhindu Spirit of Caste Rigidity.

Sri Aurobindo (December 6, 1907). Caste and Representation.

Optional Reading: Malhotra, R. (n.d.) Is there an American Caste System?

http://rajivmalhotra.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=9

BLOCK THREE (UNITS 12-14): TIMELESS SPIRIT OF INDIAN TRADITIONS

Units 12-14: Weeks 12-14: November 4-25, 2010

Rethinking and Reinventing New Forms to Suit the Changing Times to Manifest the Timeless Spirit of Indian Culture

Meaningful Assimilation of Knowledge and Ideas from the West

Spirit of Indian Culture and the Impact and Influence of Other Civilizations

Relevance of the Spiritual Essence of Indian Culture for the Contemporary World and the Future of the Humanity

The Uncolonized Mind: A Post-colonial view of India and the West

Assigned Readings:

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, Chapters on Renaissance in India, pp. 3-40.

Sri Aurobindo, The Renaissance in India, CWSA volume 20, chapter on Indian Culture and External Influence, pp. 43-52.

Gupta, N. K. (1978). Selections from Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta, Volume 7, pp. 253-260.

Sethna K. D. The Indian Spirit and World’s Future: Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry. pp. 10-15, 39-48, 77-86, 87-94, 134-150.

Nandy, Ashis (1983). The Intimate Enemy: Loss and Recovery of Self under Colonialism. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Chapter 2, pp. 64-85.

Optional reading: Nadkarni, M. (2006). Can India Ever Be Great Again? Chapter 2 from India’s Spiritual Destiny: Its Inevitability and Potentiality. Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry, pp. 24-44.

BLOCK FOUR (UNITS 15-16): LEARNER-DIRECTED RESEARCH PROJECT

November 26-December 12, 2010

For this project, the learner will conduct research into two viewpoints – one Western, and the other Indian. Essentially, this project should explore any one aspect of spiritual worldview of Indian culture from the point of view of mainstream Western understanding.

This inquiry can take the form of either a close, critical, and reflective reading of two to three published articles or book chapters on a topic selected by the learner and approved by the facilitator.  

Alternatively, the learner can conduct a series of interviews with two or more individuals who may have either an outsider or an insider understanding or perspective on some aspect related to any of the Indian spiritual traditions.

More guidance on this project may be provided by the facilitator as needed during the online discussions. Learner is encouraged to discuss beforehand relevant details of this project and clarify any doubts about this assignment.  

Learner will submit a project report (4-5 pages, single-spaced) at the end of unit 16.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

To achieve the learning objectives of this course, the learner will:

Engage in thorough study of selected lessons/chapters from books indicated by the facilitator.

Participate in regular online discussions with the facilitator.  Facilitator posts discussion and reflection questions at the start of each block. Learner posts responses to these questions and some follow-up clarifications and responses may be provided by the facilitator as needed. Some additional questions may also be posted by the facilitator or the learner if further clarification is needed for any particular topic or theme under discussion.

Each learner is expected to participate in online discussions in two ways: i) by submitting at least one post per block in response to the discussion questions posted by the facilitator, and ii) at least one post per block in response to the responses submitted by other learners in the class.

Write two short essays (1000 words minimum, 1500 words maximum) on topics self-chosen or suggested by the course facilitator.

Complete the learner-directed research project as described in this syllabus.

Maintain a learning journal/academic journal noting down the interpretations, insights and reflections resulting from ongoing reading of the assigned material.  This journal will be submitted twice during the duration of the programme.

Submit a self-evaluation at the end of the course.

SCHEDULE OF WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:

Essay 1 due in Unit 5

Learning Journal, part 1 due in Unit 9

Essay 2 due in Unit 11

Learning Journal, part 2 due in Unit 14

Learner Directed Research Project due in Unit 16

Self-evaluation due in Unit 16

FACILITATOR:

EVALUATION (Percentage contribution toward the total grade is also included):

Successful completion of the study of selected readings/chapters with key notes & reflections submitted to the facilitator as two-part academic journal –  30%

Participation in online discussions – 25%.

Two essays – 25%.

Learner-directed research project – 15%.

Self-evaluation – 5%.

TIME: 16 weeks

CREDITS:   8 for SACAR-IGNOU students, 12 for SACAR Certificate students

COURSE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Primary Text:

Sri Aurobindo. The Renaissance in India and Other Essays on Indian Culture. Pondicherry, India: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust.

Additional Readings:

The following readings will be made available as electronic copies.

Sri Aurobindo (September 20, 1907). The Unhindu Spirit of Caste Rigidity.

Sri Aurobindo (December 6, 1907). Caste and Representation.

Basu, S. (1995). The Caste System of India: An Aurobindonian Perspective, School of Sri Aurobindo Studies, Sri Aurobindo Pathmandir, Calcutta.

Gupta, N. K. (1978). Selections from Collected Works of Nolini Kanta Gupta, Volume 7, pp. 253-260.

Mohanty, S. (Ed.) (2008). Sri Aurobindo: A Contemporary Reader. New Delhi: Routledge. pp. 143-148, 157-163, 171-173.

Nandy, Ashis (1983). The Intimate Enemy: Loss and Recovery of Self under Colonialism. Delhi: Oxford University Press. Chapter 2, pp. 64-85.

Sethna K. D. The Indian Spirit and World’s Future: Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry, pp. 10-15, 39-48, 77-86, 87-94, 134-150.

Optional Reading: Malhotra, R. (n.d.) Is there an American Caste System? http://rajivmalhotra.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=9

Optional reading: Nadkarni, M. (2006). Can India Ever Be Great Again? Chapter 2 from India’s Spiritual Destiny: Its Inevitability and Potentiality. Sri Aurobindo Society, Pondicherry, pp. 24-44.