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Guideline for Teachers

Conceptual (Knowledge) objectives

  • C.O.1: To understand the origin of the term Hinduism and the religious diversity that comes under this term.
  • C.O.2: To understand the basic concepts of Hinduism and their relationships: Brahman, Atman, Karman, Samsara, Moksha and Avatar and to know the characteristic of the main deities: Vishu, Shiva and the Goddess.
  • C.O.3: To understand the influence of Hinduism in Indian society and everyday life.
  • C.O.4: To know the various modalities of worship, identifying their differences, commonalities, place and time.
  • C.O.5: To know the basic differences between the origin of Hinduism, its traditional form and the modern and contemporary innovations.

Skills

  • S.1: To be able to read and understand the basic information from a Hindu religious text.
  • S.2: To be able to analyze the basic iconography of the most famous Hindu deities.
  • S.3: To be able to use properly technical terms like myth, ritual, festival in relation to the context of Hinduism
  • S.4: To be able to use and connect in a critical way the information gained through this module to otherdisciplinary and cultural context.

Suggestion of Activities

This module aims to present the basic common features of Hinduism in its doctrinal, ritual and social aspects.
Section 1 introduce the a short definition of Hinduism, it's origin and core assumption.
Section 2 presents the beginning of Hinduism. Sections 3 and  4 present the core doctrinal concepts of Hinduism. Therefore, sections 1, 2,3 and 4 are suggested as a good starting point.
Then the teachers could opt for a focus on the main deities and their doctrinal traditions and theologies, using sections 5, 6 and 7.
Alternatively, sections 8, 9 and 10 deal more with the religious practices and the presence of Hinduism in everyday life. Section 11 introduce the theme of authority in Hinduism but links also to contemporary topics. Finally section 12 deals with some modern and contemporary aspects of Hinduism.
Another option is using the above "Summary of arguments, divided by themes" to create thematic itineraries.

Additional general info

Bibliography

Klaus K. Klostermaier, A Survey of Hinduism: Third Edition, SUNY Press,Albany 2007

Webliography

Jacob N. Kinnard, Patheos Library, s. v. "Hinduism", accessed January 05, 2015, http://www.patheos.com/Library/Hinduism/Origins/Beginnings?offset=1&max=1

Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Hinduism", accessed January 05, 2015, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/266312/Hinduism

Summary of arguments, linked to student view sections