Fall and Winter 2023
Fall 2023
Introduction to the foundational texts, esoteric rituals, and sexual alchemy associated with Tantric practices in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain contexts. The focus will be on Hindu tantric thought, but we will also consider examples from Buddhist and Jain milieus.
TH 09:30 – 10:50 (HC 2-11). With Dagmar Wujastyk.
The world of Classical India, from the emergence of the Mauryan Empire in the fourth century BCE to the close of the Gupta Empire in the fifth century CE. (Follows from HIST 135, but that’s not a requirement.)
TH 11:00 – 12:20. With Dominik Wujastyk.
The history, practices, and politics of contemporary Yoga movements.
TH 11:00 – 12:20 (HC 1-11). With Neil Dalal.
Winter 2023
A survey of the history of India from the close of the Gupta and Vakataka kingdoms in the fifth century CE to the decline of the Delhi Sultanate and the Vijayanagara Empire in the sixteenth century CE.
TH 12:30 – 13:50 (T BW-1). With Dagmar Wujastyk.
The history and philosophy of early Yoga, exploring its focus on meditation, its literature, its connections with Buddhism, and its historical evolution. HIST 110, 289, or CLASS 110 are recommended but not required.
TH 11:00 – 12:20. With Dominik Wujastyk.
This course provides an overview of the ancient and classical period of Indian philosophy (500 BCE-1500 CE); major metaphysical and ethical concepts within traditions such as Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, and Buddhism. Note: Not open to students with credit in PHIL 302. Not open to students with credit in PHIL 301 completed prior to 2012.
TH 09:30 – 10:50. With Neil Dalal.
Other occasional courses
Different courses are sometimes offered when professors are available. Some of these are as follow.
Check the UofA Calendar and Beartracks when planning your choices.
History and Classics
- CLASS 110 – The Ancient World
- HIST 134 – Global History of Alchemy: Quests for Gold, Power, and Immortality
- HIST 289 – Introduction to Classical India
- HIST 386 – History of Science in Early India
- HIST 387 – Indian Yoga and Meditation
- HIST 427 – Topics in Indian History
- HIST 627 – Topics in Indian History
Religious Studies
- RELIG 103 – Introduction to Eastern Religious Traditions
- RELIG 230 – Introduction to Hinduism
- RELIG 240 – Introduction to Buddhism
- RELIG 333 – Modern Yoga
- RELIG 343 – Zen/Ch’an Buddhism
- RELIG 345 – Tantric Traditions
- RELIG 432 – Advanced Studies in Hinduism
- RELIG 442 – Advanced Studies in Buddhism
- RELIG 542 – Advanced Studies in Buddhism
Philosophy
Languages
- SANSK 201 – Sanskrit I
- SANSK 202 – Sanskrit II
- HINDI 111 – Beginners’ Hindi I
- HINDI 112 – Beginners’ Hindi II
- HINDI 211 – Intermediate Hindi I
- HINDI 212 – Intermediate Hindi II
- PUNJ 111 – Beginners’ Punjabi I
- PUNJ 112 – Beginners’ Punjabi II
- PUNJ 211 – Intermediate Punjabi I
- PUNJ 212 – Intermediate Punjabi II
Music
- MUSIC 143 – Indian Music Ensemble I
- MUSIC 443 – Indian Music Ensemble
- MUSIC 543 – Indian Music Ensemble V
- MUSIC 467 – Area Studies in Ethnomusicology: India and South Asia
- MUSIC 567 – Advanced Area Studies in Ethnomusicology: India and South Asia
Augustana Campus
English and Film Studies
- ENGL 315 – B1 Postcolonial Literature and Culture: Indian Writing in English (Winter 2021)
- ENGL 426 A1 The Short Story in South Asia
- FS 369 – Asian Film
