Civilisation of India and South Asia 3600-7-IN1-CIAP(L)

The aim of the course is to inform students about fundamental aspects of culture, literature, history, religion and philosophy of India and South Asia, presented in an interdisciplinary way. The knowledge is imparted in an interdisciplinary manner, with an emphasis on the interdependencies between the natural environment, history, socio-cultural changes, and the most important achievements of the civilisation of India and the broader South Asian region. The course is carried out in the form of a five-semester module, while the student achieves all learning outcomes only after completing the entire module.
In the summer semester of the first year of study, the
course/subject is taught for 60 hours.

The course is conducted within the “Integrated Teaching & Learning Development Programme –  ZIP 2.0”, which is co-financed by the European Social Fund – the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027 (FERS) (contract no.: FERS.01.05-IP.08-0365/23-00).

In the summer semester of the first year of study, the course is taught over 60 hours in the form of lectures devoted to: religions of India and South Asia (30 hours) and the history of India (30 hours).

Monika Nowakowska (30 hours; Tuesdays 11:30-13:00):
The aim of the lecture is to provide students with a historical outline of religious diversity in India and South Asia, as well as to inform them about the development, doctrines and practices of dharmic religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The lecture also covers the issues of contemporary forms of religious practices and phenomena, and the place of religion in the broader social and political context.

Justyna Wiśniewska-Singh: (30 hours; Wednesdays 13:15-14:45):
The historical development of the South Asian region (Indian subcontinent), with particular emphasis on systems of power characteristic of different periods, presented in the context of political and socio-cultural processes, as well as the impact of the geographical and climatic conditions of the subcontinent and of cultural contacts and interactions. The first of two semesters covers the period from the mid-18th century to the 21st century.

literature and materials selected by the lecturers

Monika Nowakowska (a selection):
P. Balcerowicz, Dżinizm. Starożytna religia Indii. 2003.
M. Czerniak-Drożdżowicz, Studia nad Pańcaratrą. Cz. 3. Świątynia. 2019.
B. Grabowska, T. Herrmann i inn., Słownik mitologii hinduskiej. 1994.
J. Gruszewska, Pieśni mniszek. 2020.
J. Jurewicz, Wędrówka za przestrzenią. Wybrane hymny Rygwedy. 2013.
P. Kłodkowski, Jak modlą się hindusi. Antologia modlitw. 2000.
K. Kłoszewska, Bogini Marijamman. Mitologia i kult na podstawie tamilskich pieśni religijnych. 2019.
D. S. Lopez Jr (red.), Praktyki religijne w Indiach. 2001
M. Mejor, Buddyzm. Zarys historii buddyzmu w Indiach. 2001.
M. Mejor, Jak modlą się buddyści. 2004.
M. Nowakowska (red.), Poetyka odrzucenia: szczątki, resztki, przyległości. 2024.
J. Woźniak, Od poezji do teologii. Perija tirumoli Tirumangejjalwara na tle tamilskiej myśli śriwisznuickiej. 2019.:

Justyna Wiśniewska-Singh:
K. Iwanek, A. Burakowski. Indie. Od kolonii do mocarstwa. 1857-2013, WN PWN, Warszawa 2013.
Hermann Kulke, Dietmar Rothermund: A History of India. Routledge, London-New York 2016, 6th ed.
Supplementary:
Jan Kieniewicz, Historia Indii, 3rd ed., Ossolineum, Warszawa 2003.

Methods and criteria for the assessment of the partial lectures included in the course:

Monika Nowakowska:
final written test

Justyna Wiśniewska-Singh:
final written test

Note: the condition for crediting the course is to pass all partial classes. The final grade is the average of the partial grades issued by the lecturers.