Introduction To Indian Philosophy (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism)
| Module title | Introduction To Indian Philosophy (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism) |
|---|---|
| Module code | THE2223 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Ionut Moise (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
Module description
Indian Philosophy is – like Hellenistic and Arabic philosophy – largely preserved in aphorisms and commentaries. This module introduces you to Indian Philosophy, particularly to its ‘ontology’, and ‘epistemology’. What are the main systems, theories and their philosophers in the classical and early medieval Indian traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism) and their modern interpretation? To such questions this optional module - aimed atlevel 2 students – will respond.
You will gain an understanding not only of the history and concerns of Indian philosophical tradition, but also of its relation to religious movements in India and beyond (Britain and Continental Europe). More broadly, you will be introduced to issues of conceptual translation and cross-cultural interpretation and understanding and learn to assess critically texts and concepts embedded in different cultural and linguistic traditions.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module’s main objectives:
- to enable you to acquire general knowledge and critical understanding of the main philosophies and ideologies discussed.
- to help you to distinguish between primary and secondary sources
- to describe for you what original views Indian philosophers add to the themes discussed
- to help you to come up with your own interpretation on one theme or theory discussed
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Show general knowledge and critical understanding of the various philosophical systems discussed.
- 2. Understand at least 10 Sanskrit technical philosophical terms based on primary and secondary sources
- 3. Translate Indian concepts into your own English language and frame of mind, showing awareness of the difficulties of doing so
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate the ability to analyse the philosophies, the general themes, and the specific philosophical topics from different angles, including theologically
- 5. Undertake self-guided reading, showing the ability to select appropriate philosophical material in a focused and critical way
- 6. Present a coherent argument on the basis of critical reading of both primary and secondary philosophical sources
- 7. Undertake reading research on a specified philosophy with limited guidance, showing that you can evaluate, organize, and present complex material philosophically and theologically
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Write academically with clarity, method, consistency of referencing and original argument
- 9. Work collaboratively on a project
Syllabus plan
Each Seminar will be based on a selection of 2 texts (one primary source, one secondary source) from several philosophical traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism). Topics covered may include the following:
- What is Indian Philosophy?
- Sources of Indian Philosophy (Vedas and Upani?ads)
- Philosophical Movements (Aj?vikas, C?rv?kas, Buddhists, Jains, Brahmans)
- Philosophy of Mind (Buddhism)
- Pluralism (Jainism, Vai?e?ika)
- Dualism (S??khya)
- Monism (Ved?nta)
- Theories of Language (M?m??s?)
- Aesthetics (rasa theory)
- Modern Indian Philosophy
- Liberation (Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina)
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | 267 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | 11 x 2-hour lectures or equivalent |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 11 | 11 x 1-hour seminars or equivalent |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Preparation for group work presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | 237 | Reading and preparation for seminars and essays |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quizzes (ELE) | Two quizzes of 10 questions each | 1-3 | In-quiz feedback and class discussion |
| Group presentation | 15-minute group presentation with lecturer | 1-9 | Oral feedback from tutor; reflection on self-reflexive feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | 40 | 2500 words | 1-8 | Written feedback and tutorial |
| Essay 2 | 40 | 2500 words | 1-8 | Written feedback |
| Group presentation | 10 | 5 minutes or equivalent per student | 1-9 | Written and oral feedback |
| Participation | 10 | Continuous assessment based on threshold tasks | 1-5, 9 | Written and oral feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 1 | Essay | 1-8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Essay 2 | Essay | 1-8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Group presentation | Script (and slides where relevant) as for individual presentation 500 words | 1-9 | Referral/deferral period |
| Participation | Assessment of engagement with threshold tasks as appropriate | 1-5,9 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e., a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Seminar readings, subject to change and simplification
General
Ganeri, J., ed. The Oxford Handbook of Indian Philosophy Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press (2014-).
What is Indian Philosophy (definition, themes, subjects, comparisons)
Chatterjee, S. & Datta, D. In An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Rupa (1960), pp. 1-52.
Sources of Indian Philosophy (Upani?ads)
Radhakrishnan, S. and Moore, C. (eds.) A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (1957), pp. 64-96
Early Philosophical Movements
Radhakrishnan, S. and Moore, C. (eds.) A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press (1957), pp. 227-349.
Philosophy of Mind (Buddhism)
Chatterjee, S. & Datta, D. In An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Rupa (1960), pp. 139-52.
Pluralism (Jainism)
Chatterjee, S. & Datta, D. In An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Delhi: Rupa (1960), pp. 87-95.
Dualism (S??khya)
Burley, M. “S??khya”, in Routledge History of Indian Philosophy, ed. P. Bilimoria and A. Rayner, Abingdon: Routledge (2018), pp. 131-140.
Monism (Advaita Ved?nta)
Osborne, A., ed. The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi In His Own Words. Newburyport, MA: Red Wheel (1996).
Theories of Language
Raja, K. Indian Theories of Meaning, 2nd edition, Madras: Adyar. (1969), pp. 95-136.
Aesthetics (rasa theory)
Buchta, D. and Schweig, G. “Rasa Theory”, in Encyclopedia of Hinduism, ed. K. Jacobsen, H. Basu, A. Malinar, V. Narayanan, Leiden: Brill (2018), pp. 623-29.
Modern Indian Philosophy
Krishna, D. Indian Philosophy: A Counter-Perspective. Oxford: Oxford University Press (1991), chapter 1.
Liberation (Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina)
Potter, K. Presuppositions of India’s Philosophies. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass (1999), pp. 36-46.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 10/05/2021 |
| Last revision date | 02/03/2023 |
