Indology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a general background on the development of Indian civilisation from antiquity to the Middle Ages.
Expected learning outcomes
Essential knowledge of: geography of South Asia; history of ancient and medieval India; religions born in India; foundational works of ancient and classical Indian culture; social structure of India in historical perspective.
Ability to: use precise and rigorous terminology, with mastery of basic vocabulary; contextualise the main aspects of ancient and traditional Indian thought; expand knowledge through appropriate sources; critically evaluate sources on the internet and other media; with the overall aim of achieving a high level of understanding of issues and critical analysis skills.
Ability to: use precise and rigorous terminology, with mastery of basic vocabulary; contextualise the main aspects of ancient and traditional Indian thought; expand knowledge through appropriate sources; critically evaluate sources on the internet and other media; with the overall aim of achieving a high level of understanding of issues and critical analysis skills.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Course title:
Outlines of Indian cultural history.
Introduction to the Rāmāyaṇa.
The syllabus for the first 40 hours includes the presentation of the following topics, in this order: the origins and foundations of Vedic-Brahmanic, Buddhist, and Jaina thoughts and beliefs, set in their historical contexts; the basic characteristics of Hinduism; classical India. As a monographic addition, the focus will be on the Rāmāyaṇa, a great Sanskrit poem still of enormous popularity, with readings of critical literature and of extensive excerpts in translation. Finally, the last 20 hours of the course will provide essential outlines of Indian cultural history with reference to the period of the Delhi Sultanate and the great Mughals.
Outlines of Indian cultural history.
Introduction to the Rāmāyaṇa.
The syllabus for the first 40 hours includes the presentation of the following topics, in this order: the origins and foundations of Vedic-Brahmanic, Buddhist, and Jaina thoughts and beliefs, set in their historical contexts; the basic characteristics of Hinduism; classical India. As a monographic addition, the focus will be on the Rāmāyaṇa, a great Sanskrit poem still of enormous popularity, with readings of critical literature and of extensive excerpts in translation. Finally, the last 20 hours of the course will provide essential outlines of Indian cultural history with reference to the period 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 PowerPoint 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 detailed study guidelines, news, and other initiatives, students should regularly refer to the Ariel page of the course and to the website of the Indological courses of our University (https://sites.unimi.it/india/).
Teaching Resources
IMPORTANT: We recommend that you read the texts in the order in which they are listed here.
Whenever possible according to copyright rules, resources will be made available on the Ariel Indology page.
ATTENDING STUDENTS:
6 ECTS (40 hours)
· Stefano Piano, Lineamenti di storia culturale dell'India antica, Libreria Stampatori, Torino 2004, pp. 15-54 (see the Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
· Gavin Flood, L'induismo. Temi, tradizioni, prospettive, Einaudi, Torino 2006, pp. 29-48 (see the Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Mimma Congedo, Viaggio nell'India del Nord, Torino, Einaudi, 2010 (2018 revised reprint), up to page 196.
· 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).
· Readings of passages from the Rāmāyaṇa and some short critical essays on this poem (see the Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
9 ECTS, in addition (further 20 hours)
· 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 Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
· An anthology of short texts by contemporary authors, of different styles, on some crucial topics covered in the other parts of the course (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
For 6 ECTS, in addition to the programme for attending students:
Giorgio Renato Franci, L'induismo. La cultura e le tradizioni dell'oriente indiano, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005 (many reprints).
For 9 ECTS, in addition to the programme for attending students:
David Smith, Induismo e modernità, Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2006 (only this, and not the small volume by Giorgio Renato Franci).
Whenever possible according to copyright rules, resources will be made available on the Ariel Indology page.
ATTENDING STUDENTS:
6 ECTS (40 hours)
· Stefano Piano, Lineamenti di storia culturale dell'India antica, Libreria Stampatori, Torino 2004, pp. 15-54 (see the Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
· Gavin Flood, L'induismo. Temi, tradizioni, prospettive, Einaudi, Torino 2006, pp. 29-48 (see the Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
· Cinzia Pieruccini, Mimma Congedo, Viaggio nell'India del Nord, Torino, Einaudi, 2010 (2018 revised reprint), up to page 196.
· 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).
· Readings of passages from the Rāmāyaṇa and some short critical essays on this poem (see the Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
9 ECTS, in addition (further 20 hours)
· 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 Ariel Indology page at the beginning of the course).
· An anthology of short texts by contemporary authors, of different styles, on some crucial topics covered in the other parts of the course (see the Indology page of Ariel at the beginning of the course).
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
For 6 ECTS, in addition to the programme for attending students:
Giorgio Renato Franci, L'induismo. La cultura e le tradizioni dell'oriente indiano, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005 (many reprints).
For 9 ECTS, in addition to the programme for attending students:
David Smith, Induismo e modernità, Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2006 (only this, and not the small volume by Giorgio Renato Franci).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral, and lasts approximately 40 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 (minimum passing grade 18), 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.
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
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Sheet to register in the 'Contents' of the Ariel pages of Indology and History of Indian and Central Asian Art
Professor's office, Festa del Perdono 7