Reform, Politics and the Media: Hinduism in the Modern World
- Course Code:
- 15PSRH032
- Status:
- Course Not Running 2013/14
- Unit value:
- 0.5
- Year of study:
- Any
The course deals with the impact of modernity on Hinduism with regard to the following issues:
- reform movements responding to the critique of Hinduism in 19th c. colonial contexts (image worship, position of women, caste);
- the representation of religious themes as well the creation of new cults in new mass media (print media, film);
- the changing perception of religious communities (e.g. Hindu-Muslim relationship);
- the Hindu nationalist movement and their political role since Indian independence.
A variety of texts and visual material will be analysed and related to some theoretical approaches to “religion and modernity”.
Objectives and learning outcomes of the course
- Understand the historical and political contexts of Hinduism in modernity, the different positions in the debate on Hindu traditions and the emergence of Hindu Nationalism.
- Discuss the relationship between the debate on Hinduism in 19th century colonial context and the religious and social agenda of Hindu reform movements.
- Assess the impact of the social, technological and cultural changes implied in “modernity” and of the post-independence secular state on Hinduism.
- Analyse different textual sources dealing with Hindu traditions and the presentation of religious themes in new mass media (journals, film and TV).
- Consider the role of religion in defining cultural and national identity in different political contexts frameworks.
- Critically use theoretical approaches to analyze religion and religious conflicts in modernity.
- Write essays that utilize the theoretical approaches, the historical and political frameworks and the source materials presented in the course.
