Indology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with a general knowledge of the evolution of Indian civilization from antiquity to Middle Ages.
Expected learning outcomes
Essential notions on: geography of South Asia; ancient and medieval Indian history; India-originated religions; foundational literary works of ancient and classical India; Indian social structure in historical perspective.
Ability to: use correct and precise terminology, with a good command of key vocabulary; contextualize the main aspects of ancient and traditional Indian thought; broaden knowledge through valid sources; critically approach sources on the internet and other media.
Ability to: use correct and precise terminology, with a good command of key vocabulary; contextualize the main aspects of ancient and traditional Indian thought; broaden knowledge through valid sources; critically approach sources on the internet and other media.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
If at the beginning of the second semester the sanitary situation should not yet allow to fully resume classes in presence, classes will be held remotely, partly in synchronous, partly in asynchronous modality, via Microsoft Teams and Ariel.
Students will find all information concerning how to attend the classes (links etc.), possible changes in the Syllabus, and possible changes in teaching resources (bibliography etc.) on the Ariel page of the course.
If exams according to the Syllabus will not be possible, exams will be held online. The modalities will be communicated on the Ariel page of the course at the end of the classes.
Students will find all information concerning how to attend the classes (links etc.), possible changes in the Syllabus, and possible changes in teaching resources (bibliography etc.) on the Ariel page of the course.
If exams according to the Syllabus will not be possible, exams will be held online. The modalities will be communicated on the Ariel page of the course at the end of the classes.
Course syllabus
Course title:
Outlines of Indian cultural history.
The relationship with animals: animals and gods, and preconditions and developments of vegetarianism.
The main topics discussed in the course are, in the following order: origins and main aspects of Vedic and Brahmanical thought, Buddhism and Jainism, in their historical context; key features of classical India; a monographic part on the relationship between humans and animals in Indian thought, and on the related birth and development of vegetarianism, with special attention for the formative stages; fundamentals of cultural history of the age of the Delhi Sultanate and the Great Mughals.
Outlines of Indian cultural history.
The relationship with animals: animals and gods, and preconditions and developments of vegetarianism.
The main topics discussed in the course are, in the following order: origins and main aspects of Vedic and Brahmanical thought, Buddhism and Jainism, in their historical context; key features of classical India; a monographic part on the relationship between humans and animals in Indian thought, and on the related birth and development of vegetarianism, with special attention for the formative stages; fundamentals of cultural history of the age of the Delhi Sultanate and the Great Mughals.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format. The professor will regularly use Power Point slideshows which will gradually be uploaded onto the Indology page on Ariel. This material is crucial for students to develop the expected skills and its consultation is highly recommended also to non-attending students. Attendance is not mandatory, but is recommended for a correct approach to the subject and in order to better identify the basic concepts and notions. For other initiatives and news, students should also regularly refer to the website of the indological courses of our University (https://sites.unimi.it/india/).
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
6 CFU (Teaching Units A and B)
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Mimma Congedo, Viaggio nell'India del Nord, Torino, Einaudi, 2010 (2018 revised reprint), up to page 196.
· Gavin Flood, L'induismo. Temi, tradizioni, prospettive, Einaudi, Torino 2006, pp. 29-48 (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
· Stefano Piano, Lineamenti di storia culturale dell'India antica, Libreria Stampatori, Torino 2004, pp. 15-54 (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
· Pinuccia Caracchi, Sanātana Dharma e religioni hindū. Un'introduzione
(https://www.academia.edu/40716990/San%C4%81tana_Dharma_e_religioni_hind%C5%AB._Un_introduzione?email_work_card=view-paper).
· Chiara Policardi, Divino, femminile, animale.Yoginī teriantropiche nell'India antica e medioevale, Edizioni dell'Orso, Alessandria 2020, pp. 11-97, 145-260.
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Vegetarianismo. Come è nato e come si è diffuso in India, Editrice Bibliografica, Milano 2019 (available also as an eBook).
· Some short papers on the symbolism of animals in Indian culture (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
9 CFU, in addition (Teaching Unit C)
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Mimma Congedo, Viaggio nell'India del Nord, Torino, Einaudi, 2010 (2018 revised reprint), from page 197 to the end.
· Some chapters of a textbook on Indian cultural history, concerning the Sultanate and Mughal periods (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
· Sudhir & Katharina Kakar, Gli Indiani. Ritratto di un popolo, Vicenza, Neri Pozza, 2007 (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
Whenever possible according to copyright rules, resources will be available on the Indology page of Ariel.
Non-attending students
The bibliography is identical for both attending and non-attending students.
6 CFU (Teaching Units A and B)
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Mimma Congedo, Viaggio nell'India del Nord, Torino, Einaudi, 2010 (2018 revised reprint), up to page 196.
· Gavin Flood, L'induismo. Temi, tradizioni, prospettive, Einaudi, Torino 2006, pp. 29-48 (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
· Stefano Piano, Lineamenti di storia culturale dell'India antica, Libreria Stampatori, Torino 2004, pp. 15-54 (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
· Pinuccia Caracchi, Sanātana Dharma e religioni hindū. Un'introduzione
(https://www.academia.edu/40716990/San%C4%81tana_Dharma_e_religioni_hind%C5%AB._Un_introduzione?email_work_card=view-paper).
· Chiara Policardi, Divino, femminile, animale.Yoginī teriantropiche nell'India antica e medioevale, Edizioni dell'Orso, Alessandria 2020, pp. 11-97, 145-260.
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Vegetarianismo. Come è nato e come si è diffuso in India, Editrice Bibliografica, Milano 2019 (available also as an eBook).
· Some short papers on the symbolism of animals in Indian culture (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
9 CFU, in addition (Teaching Unit C)
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Mimma Congedo, Viaggio nell'India del Nord, Torino, Einaudi, 2010 (2018 revised reprint), from page 197 to the end.
· Some chapters of a textbook on Indian cultural history, concerning the Sultanate and Mughal periods (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
· Sudhir & Katharina Kakar, Gli Indiani. Ritratto di un popolo, Vicenza, Neri Pozza, 2007 (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
Whenever possible according to copyright rules, resources will be available on the Indology page of Ariel.
Non-attending students
The bibliography is identical for both attending and non-attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral, and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Broadly, it consists of no less than three groups of questions regarding the topics covered by the programme, with regard to Indian history, socio-religious beliefs, and the monographic part. Grading, on a scale of 30, will take into account: the student's general preparation, and the familiarity with the bibliography of the course; the understanding of the historical development of Indian civilization, with a basic knowledge of dates and periods; the command of the fundamental cultural-religious concepts, and the capacity for synthesis and critical analysis in the presentation; the use of an appropriate language, and the accuracy in terminology and principal proper names.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
L-OR/18 - INDOLOGY AND TIBETOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-OR/18 - INDOLOGY AND TIBETOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-OR/18 - INDOLOGY AND TIBETOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Sheet to register in the 'Contents' of the MyAriel pages of Indology and History of Indian and Central Asian Art
Professor's office, Festa del Perdono 7