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OCHS Continuing Education Department
Hindu Studies Course overviews
Certificate and Diploma Course content
Background reading
Venues and dates for 2007–8
Registration and costs
Teaching staff
"Today we are all very busy and I don't have much time for education anymore so I was very happy to enroll on the OCHS Hindu Studies course in Leicester, which only takes two hours a week, but adds so much to my life. I'm learning so much about what it means to be a Hindu in the world in which I live today."
Vijay Thakrar, Chartered Accountant, Leicester
"I attended the OCHS Hindu Studies Course in Harrow and found it so interesting that I applied for graduate studies at Oxford. I want to use my qualification to help invigorate the intellectual life of my community."
Bhavisha Tailor, MSt, Oxon.
The OCHS Continuing Education Department (CED) was established to facilitate those who cannot attend full-time courses in Oxford and adults looking for further education in Hindu Studies. We aim to make our broad educational approach available to as wide an audience as possible.
Educational
Ethos
This course is notable for the distinctive ethos underpinning the
teaching and learning process. The broad aims are twofold. Firstly,
it provides a high degree of factual knowledge about the belief
systems and religious practices embodied in Hindu culture. Secondly,
it utilises this basis to encourage examination of the very
notion of Hindu identity. Students will thus be invited to use the
detailed knowledge they acquire as a means of exploring the essential
meaning of the Hindu life as practiced in this country and elsewhere.
Hinduism is in a state of evolution and development as it engages with the modern world. It is our hope and expectation that young and old alike will see this course of study as a tool for interpretation and a way through which knowledge and understanding of the Hindu tradition is disseminated within and outside the community. Through a thorough exploration of the resources that Hinduism makes available, this course is already playing a significant role in the emergence of a vibrant expression of Hinduism that is both faithful to its traditions and entirely appropriate for the modern lifestyle.
The Certificate course in Hindu Studies are being offered by the OCHS in partnership with the University of Wales, Lampeter.
The great advantage of studying with the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies is that students can work at their own speed. So, depending on the amount of time you have available, you can complete between 1 and 6 modules each year and build up gradually to the Certificate level. Although we hope many most of our students will try to acheive the Certificate we are happy to accept students who wish to attend simply for love of the subject and intelligent discussion.
The Certificate explained
A Certificate is awarded for 120 credits at Level 1, or one third of a degree. Thus a student who completes the Certificate then has 120 credits and thus needs 120 more credits to complete a Diploma. A student who has been awarded a Diploma has completed 240 credits and thus needs 120 more to make up the full 360 for a B.A. degree.The OCHS Hindu Studies course only takes a student to Certificate level.
Gaining credits
Higher Education courses are divided into modules of study for which credits are awarded. For example, the first module 'Understanding the Hindu Identity' is for ten credits. To achieve these credits, students have to participate in 14 hours of classes (although reasonable absences are acceptable), do a certain amount of personal study and then submit one piece of written course work. To gain the Certificate in Hindu Studies, students need to complete 12 such courses, which are equivalent to one year’s full time university study.
The
Certificate Course
For successful completion of the Certificate a total of 120 credits
are required, the equivelent of twelve modules. To this end we are validating seventeen modules of ten
credits each, thus allowing more choice for students.
The outline of the Certificate Course is as follows:
HS101. Understanding
the Hindu identity
This module provides an introductory overview of the scope of Hindu dharma, looking at the question of how Hindu identity is defined. We touch on many of the topics covered in more detail later in the course, thereby providing an introduction to the field of Hindu studies.
HS102. The Vedas and the Upanishads
The first part of this module will provide students with an overview of the religious ideas contained in the four original Vedas (the Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva) and in their principal Upanishads. In the second part of the module we will proceed to a more detailed study of five selected Upanishads, the Brihad-Aranyak, Chandogya, Katha, Shveta-shvatara and the Isha, reading from these texts as a group and considering the teachings they convey.
HS103. The Mahabharata and the Ramayana
We will begin this module with a review of the central narratives and principal characters of the Mahabharata and Ramayana. We will then consider the structure and contents of the two works, the religious teachings contained within the stories, and the way that specific characters have served as both positive and negative role models for the Hindu tradition.
HS104. The Bhagavad-gita The module on the Bhagavad-gita allows students to make a chapter-by-chapter study of the Gita and highlights the principal ideas presented by Lord Krishna in his exposition to Arjuna. We will here examine the Gita's understanding of atma, dharma, yoga, bhakti, and moksha and note the relationship that exists between its ideas and those expressed in the Upanishads and elsewhere within the context of Mahabharata. The module will also urge students to consider the relevance of the Bhagavad-gita's teachings for modern society.
HS105. Readings from the Puranas
This module will introduce students to the scale and contents of Puranic literature before moving on to consider passages selected from different Puranas, opening up each text for group consideration. Here we will focus in particular on the Krishna Lila described in Book 10 of the Bhagavata Purana, the glorification of Lord Shiva presented in the Shiva Purana and triumph of the Goddess over the forces of evil, expressed in the Devi Mahatmya of the Markandeya Purana.
HS106. The way of bhakti
The Way of Bhakti looks first at the theology of Hindu monotheism as taught by Vaishnava acharyas such as Madhva and Ramanuja, and the Shaiva Siddhanta as taught by Manikka Vachaka. It then explores the intense expressions of devotion to Krishna, Rama, and Shiva found in the writings of poets such as Chaitanya, Mirabai, and Basabanna.
HS107. Advaita Vedanta, Samkhya, and Yoga
This module looks in more detail at some of the principal expressions of Hindu religious philosophy. Here we examine the ideas of Shankaracharya, especially his commentary on the Vedanta Sutras, as well as the Samkhya teachings of the Mahabharata and Samkhya-Karika and the yoga teachings of the Bhagavad-gita, Mahabharata, and the Yoga-Sutras.
HS108. Hindu ethics and lifestyle
In this module the course progresses from its study of scripture and doctrine to consider the practical issues surrounding the Hindu way of life. Here we will consider a range of topics such as war and peace, poverty, diet, alcohol and smoking, parents and children, euthanasia, abortion, and cow protection, and examine the perspectives that Hinduism brings to bear on these moral issues.
HS109. The Hindu social structure: Caste and gender
Students will have the opportunity to explore in more detail the traditional Hindu ideas on caste and gender, returning to texts such as the Manu Smriti, Bhagavad Gita, Ramayan, and Mahabharata to understand these text's perspectives on these issues. Students will also look at the ideas presented by modern reformers such Vivekananda and Gandhi, and consider the ways in which Hindu society should shape itself within the context of modernity.
HS110. Hindu religious practice
The religious practice module will look at the great temples and pilgrimage sites of India and consider the principles of temple worship in relation to the doctrines of bhakti. It will also explore the ritual life of Hindu dharma, fire-yajna, forms of meditation, patterns of worship, and the practice of murti-puja.
HS111. Modern teachers and modern trends in Hinduism
In this module we will explore in greater detail the lives and teachings of some of the great teachers of modern Hinduism: M.K. Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Dayananda Sarasvati, Ram Mohan Roy, and Aurobindo Ghose. This module will also consider current trends in Hindu thought, including expressions of political Hinduism and Indian nationalism.
HS112. Modern Hindu movements
In this module students will examine some of the manifestations of Hindu dharma that have become prominent in the modern era. This will include consideration of organisations such as the Swaminarayan mission, the Hare Krishna movement, the Ramakrishna Mission, Transcendental Meditation, and the followers of Satya Sai Baba.
HS113 The nature of God in the Bhagavad-gita
In this course we will explore the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita that relate specifically to the nature of God and the relationship of humanity to the Supreme Deity. This will involve a close textual study of Chapters 7 and 9, along with less detailed consideration of the ideas contained in the opening verses of Chapter 10, the whole of Chapter 12 and the last six verses of Chapter 15. This study will be undertaken with reference to the explanations given in the works of three of the great Hindu commentators on the Gita; Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva – and will involve some comparison of their differing views on specific passages.
HS114 Hinduism and world religions
This course will offer a basic introduction to the beliefs and practices of three of the world’s great religious traditions–Christianity, Islam and Buddhism–and consider their positions in relation to Hinduism. In this context we will look at similarities and differences in patterns of belief, and the parallels and contrasts in religious ritual and ethical ideals. We will also briefly note the challenges posed to all religions by the modern trends towards secularism and the position of Hinduism in relation to secular ideas.
HS115 Three short Upanishads
This course will provide the opportunity for a close reading and detailed study of three of the shorter major Upanishads; the Isha, the Kena, and the Mandukya. Despite their brevity, these three works from the Veda are extremely important in the context of Hindu religious thought. The course will allow for a detailed consideration of each verse of each Upanishad with the assistance of commentaries made by principal acharyas.
Knott, Kim. Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction (OUP, 1998)
Klostermaier, Klaus. Hinduism: A Short Introduction (One World,
2000)
Birmingham
Sri Laxmi Narayana Temple
541a Warwick Road
Tyseley
Birmingham B11 2JP
Mondays 7 - 9pm
Hindu religious practice
Course 1 • Autumn Term • October 1, 8, 22, 29; November 5, 19, 26.
Three Short Upanishads
Course 2 • Spring Term • January 28; February 4, 18, 25; March 3, 10, 17.
Hinduism and World religions
Course 3 • Summer Term • April 21, 28; May 12, 19; June 2, 9, 16.
Harrow Arts Centre
Uxbridge Road
Hatch End
Middlesex HA5 4EA
Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.30pm
Understanding the Hindu identity
Course 1 • Autumn Term • October 2, 9, 23, 30; November 6, 20, 27.
The Vedas and the Upanishads
Course 2 • Spring Term • January 22, 29; February 5, 19, 26; March 4, 11, 18.
The Mahabharata and the Ramayana
Course 3 • Summer Term • April 22, 29; May 13, 20; June 3, 10, 17.
Oxford
OCHS
13-15 Magdalen Street
Oxford OX1 3AE
Thursdays 7 - 9pm
The Way of bhakti
Course 1 • Autumn Term • October 11, 18, 25; November 1, 8, 15, 22.
Advaita Vedanta, Samkhya, and Yoga
Course 2 • Spring Term • January 17, 24, 31; February 7, 14; 21,28; March 6.
Hindu ethics and lifestyle
Course 3 • Summer Term • April 17, 24; May 8, 15, 22, 29 ; June 5.
Course fees
The standard fee charge is £60 per course. However, bursaries are available on application,
which allow students who qualify to pay a reduced rate. Furthermore, in order to ensure that no one is discouraged from enrolling on the basis of cost we offer a concessionary rate of £25 per course to persons of 18 or under, to full time students, to pensioners, to those on income support and to anyone who is unemployed.
Enrolment
Reserving a place on a course is no more than a statement of intent and does not represent any form of binding obligation. It does mean that your place on a course is guaranteed and it is also very important for us so that we have a clearer idea of the number of students likely to enrol for each course. If the numbers are too large we may have to refuse those who have not reserved places. If the number of reservations is too low then we may decide not to run a course at a particular venue.
For further information on the course, enrolment, and concessionary fees please contact:
Dr Nicholas Sutton
OCHS 13-15 Magdalen St
Oxford
OX1 3AE
Tel.: 01865 304300 or 0121 689 4612
Email: n.sutton@ochs.org.uk
Fees will be refunded
in exceptional circumstances. All refund requests should be made
in writing to the Bursar.
Head of Department
Dr Nick Sutton
Tutors
Prof. Gavin Flood
Dr Jessica Frazier
Rembert Lutjeharms
Bhavisha Tailor M.St. (Oxon)
Dr Ken Valpey