In the footsteps of the Kamasutra-body, sex and gender in South Asian cultures 3600-IN-SKCSPAP-OG

Lecture, with elements of discussion, within the domain of cultural and religious studies, grounded philologically, offering a general introduction (no prior knowledge of Indian cultures is expected) into the Indian erotics and selected issues of body, sex and gender. The guide and inspiration for our deliberations is the the famous Sanskrit text of the 3rd-4th CE, „Kāma-sūtra”, i.e., more or less, "The Code of Desire". The participants will investigate step by stop the form and contents of the treatise as a culture product, composed in a particular time and place, in contact with various forms of religion and social organisation. At the same time they will learn about the broader cultural and literary context, follow the connections of the text not only with the past, but also with the contemporary life of South Asia.
Types of heroins and heros of erotic struggles, physical typology of sex, a catalogue of sexual techniques and positions, or of 64 arts - these are only some of the fascinating aspects of the treatise which became famous not only in the Indian world. „Kāma-sūtra” represents characteristically pragmatic, ordering and controlling approach to erotics and women, while at the same time it reveals some significant freedom of sexual life in the depicted society. It allows for discussing also more general questions of Indian and Western attitudes to human body as well as of biological and cultural conditioning of gender.

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Monika Nowakowska

Learning outcomes

K_W03
has extended knowledge of particular problems pertaining to the culture of South Asia (within the scope of culture and literature or language or philosophy and religion or history and socio-political issues)

K_W07
knows and understands the local academic tradition (methods of analysis, interpretation and evaluation) in the context of South Asia

K_W10
has wide and profound knowledge of the structures and social relations as well as socio-cultural behaviours of South Asia in the scope conditioning professional social and intercultural verbal communication

K_U06
can use the terminology from the domain of philosophy and religion of South Asia to analyze and interpret religious phenomena, ethical motives and human behaviours, as well as cultural differences

K_U07
can detect relationship between the development of philosophical and religious ideas of South Asia and social, cultural and economic processes

K_U09
can compare and thoroughly analyze interrelations between chosen literary texts and other works of culture (film, press, social writing) of South Asia and the issues within the scope of tradition and modern times

K_U10
can carry out a critical analysis and interpretation of different products of culture of South Asia in a way which is appropriate to a chosen tradition, theory and research school within the scope of linguistics or literary and cultural studies or philosophy and religion studies or history, employing unique approaches that take into account the knowledge in the field of Oriental studies

K_U11
can analyze most important phenomena in the area of history, socio-political, linguistic or cultural situation of South Asia

K_K05
is open to new ideas and trends as well as cultural diversity

K_K06
has awareness of the differences stemming from cultural, religious and philosophical variety and their influence on shaping social and political attitudes as well as economic processes

K_K07
understands responsibility and ethical issues that come with imparting knowledge of South Asia

K_K08
understands and appreciates the value of tradition and cultural heritage of one’s own country and of South Asia

K_K09
can see the need to enrich one’s own tradition by adding positive philosophical, social and cultural values of South Asia, treats cultural synergy as an added value

Assessment criteria

Attendence control and activity in class, final written examination (choice test).

Bibliography

Compulsory reading:
Watsjajana Mallanaga, „Kamasutra, czyli Traktat o Miłowaniu", przeł. z oryginału sanskryckiego, wstępem, przedmową, przypisami i słowniczkiem opatrzył Maria Krzysztof Byrski, PIW, Warszawa 1985.

References:
A. Daniélou, „The Complete Kama Sutra”, Park Street Press, Rochester, Vermont 1994.
W. Doniger, „The Mare’s Trap. Nature and Culture in the Kamasutra”, Speaking Tiger, New Delhi 2015.
„Ananga-Ranga; (Stage of the Bodiless One) or, The Hindu Art of Love. (Ars Amoris Indica.)”, transl. from Sanskrit and annotated by A.F.F. & B.F.R., 1885.
M. Foucault, „Historia seksualności”, Czytelnik, Warszawa 2000.
S. Kakar, „The Intimate Relations. Exploring Indian Sexuality”, Penguin Books 1990.
„Kāmasūtra of Vātsyāyana”, ed. with English Translation and Notes by Rahavallabh Tripathi, Pratibha Prakashan, Delhi 2005.
„The Koka Shastra”, translated and with an Introduction by Alex Comfort, New York 1964.
J. McConnachie, „The Book of Love. In search of the Kamasutra”, Atlantic Books, London 2008.
M. Sacha-Piekło, „Ginefobia w kulturze hinduskiej. Lęk przed kobietą w dyskursie antropologicznym i psychoanalitycznym”, WUJ, Kraków 2011.
L. Siegel, „Love in a Dead Language”, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London, 1999.
Vatsyayana, „Kamasutra”, a new translation by Wendy Doniger and Sudhir Kakar, OUP 2002.
„The Vatsyayana Kama Sutra” (by Sir Richard Burton), 1883.

Other materials:
http://burtoniana.org/biography/
„Kamasutra: A Tale of Love”, reż. Mira Nair, 1996.
„Tales of the Kama Sutra: The Perfumed Garden”, reż. Jag Mundhra 2000.
„Tales of the Kama Sutra 2: Monsoon”, reż. Jag Mundhra, 2001.

Additional information

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