Hinduism in South India. Viṣṇuism in Tamil Tradition 3600-IN-HP-OG

A lecture on South Indian Hinduism, with particular emphasis on the worship of god Viṣṇu in Tamil tradition. At the beginning of the course, the image of Viṣṇu in Sanskrit and Old Tamil literature will be briefly presented, and further attention will be focused on medieval South India. We will discuss the importance of the then socio-political and economic situation for the development of religion in this region. The focus will be primarily on the Hindu temple and its significance for the culture of Tamil-speaking region. We will also learn about the works of great poets-saints praising Viṣṇu in their hymns, which the later Vaiṣṇava tradition recognizes as sacred and revealed. We will also deal with the philosophical and theological texts that have shaped Śrīviṣṇuism, the dominant Vaiṣṇava tradition in contemporary South India

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Course coordinators

Jacek Woźniak

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

Oral exam.

Bibliography

- Brockington John, Święta nić hinduizmu, tł.. Józef Marzecki, Instytut Wydawniczy PAX, Warszawa 1990, p. 60-80, 126-132, 145-156.
- Czerniak-Drożdżowicz Marzenna, Studia nad pańćaratrą. Tradycja i współczesność, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, Kraków 2008, p. 13-81.
- Flood Gavin, Hinduizm. Wprowadzenie, tł. Małgorzata Ruchel, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, Kraków 2008, p. 135-155.
- Grabowska Barbara, Kryszna. Z dziejów literatury indyjskiej, Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Warszawa 2008, p. 11-177.
- Woźniak Jacek, Od poezji do teologii, Warszawa 2019, p. 23-194.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3600-IN-HP-OG in USOSweb