Indology
A.Y. 2021/2022
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 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
On the delivery modes of training activities for the second semester of the academic year 2021/22 more specific information will be given in the coming months, depending on how the health situation develops.
Course syllabus
Course title:
Outlines of Indian cultural history.
Love myths and poetry of classical India.
The syllabus includes the presentation of the following topics, in the following order: the origins and foundations of Vedic-Brahmanic, Buddhist, and Jaina thought, framed in the historical context; classical India; as a monographic extension, an introduction to love myths, narratives and poetry from the classical Indian repertoire; finally, in the last part of the course, essential outlines of Indian cultural history with reference to the period of the Delhi Sultanate and the great Mughals.
Outlines of Indian cultural history.
Love myths and poetry of classical India.
The syllabus includes the presentation of the following topics, in the following order: the origins and foundations of Vedic-Brahmanic, Buddhist, and Jaina thought, framed in the historical context; classical India; as a monographic extension, an introduction to love myths, narratives and poetry from the classical Indian repertoire; finally, in the last part of the course, 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 other initiatives and news, students should regularly refer to the Ariel page ofthe 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.
Attending students:
6 ECTS (40 hours)
· 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).
· 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).
· 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).
· Giuliano Boccali, Il dio dalle frecce fiorite, Il Mulino, Bologna (in press, available at the beginning of the course).
· Poesia d'amore indiana. Nuvolo messaggero, Centuria d'amore, Le stanze dell'amor furtivo, a cura di Giuliano Boccali, traduzioni e commenti di Giuliano Boccali e Daniela Rossella, Marsilio, Venezia 2002.
· L'universo di Kāma. Testi d'amore dell'India antica, a cura di Fabrizia Baldissera, Einaudi, Torino 2014, (Introduction), pp. VII-XXXII (see the Indology page of Ariel 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 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.
Attending students:
6 ECTS (40 hours)
· 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).
· 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).
· 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).
· Giuliano Boccali, Il dio dalle frecce fiorite, Il Mulino, Bologna (in press, available at the beginning of the course).
· Poesia d'amore indiana. Nuvolo messaggero, Centuria d'amore, Le stanze dell'amor furtivo, a cura di Giuliano Boccali, traduzioni e commenti di Giuliano Boccali e Daniela Rossella, Marsilio, Venezia 2002.
· L'universo di Kāma. Testi d'amore dell'India antica, a cura di Fabrizia Baldissera, Einaudi, Torino 2014, (Introduction), pp. VII-XXXII (see the Indology page of Ariel 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 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.
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