Destinations   -   Course Syllabus   -   Itinerary   -   India Visa Application   -   Dr. Khalsa

University of New Mexico, Taos

HHHA 293   3 Units   Spring 2008

Instructor: Kirpal S. Khalsa

(Ph: 505-927-3619, wk: 505-692-6665)
Email:  kirpals@kiit.com

Course Description: Students will spend two weeks traveling and visiting religious, cultural and historical sites through out Northern India.  Emphasis will be on understanding the major religious, spiritual and sacred traditions, their practices, beliefs, history and their relationship to modern Indian society.  Students will observe and participate in rituals and ceremonies of the various traditions in their historical places of worship.  Special classes, group discussions, and assigned readings will prepare students with the basics of history, beliefs and teachings of religion in India.

Course Objectives: By completion of the course students will be able to do:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of basic practices, rituals, beliefs and history of the major religious traditions of India
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between modernity and tradition in the emerging modern India
3. Demonstrate ability to understand the contributions of the religious traditions to the society in which they are practiced
4. Demonstrate an appreciation of the different cultural traditions found in Northern India.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the role diversity, religion and culture plays in peoples' lives in India.
6. Demonstrate the role of spiritual practice in many of the traditions in India

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attendance and Participation: Students are expected to attend all activities, participate in all excursions.
2. Yoga and meditation: Students will be expected to participate in daily practice of yoga and meditation through out the trip.  These practices will improve health, reduce stress and enhance the experience of the different religious traditions where such practices originated.
3. Preparation Classes: Students will be expected to attend the 2 classes scheduled earlier in the semester before departure to discuss the course, its academic requirements, reading assignments and to prepare for travel in India.
4. Written Paper: Students who wish to receive credit for the class will write a 2500 word essay on any one of the following topics:                                         

• Compare and contrast the rituals, traditions and people of any two traditions we visited.
• Discuss the ways in which the various religious traditions in India are accommodating India’s rapid modernization?
• Discuss the role of religious discipline or spiritual practice, such as meditation or yoga, in the traditions we visited.
• Did you find any evidence of religious conflict between the many religious traditions in India?  What do you see as the basis for this conflict?  What are the avenues for resolution?

5. Reading: Students will be expected to complete reading assignments and be prepared to discuss concepts covered.
6. Required Text: Religions of India in Practice: Donald S. Lopez, Jr. (ed.)
7. Grading: 70% of the grade will be participation: classes, excursions, discussions, tours of various sites, while demonstrating openness and a willingness to experience India.  30% of the grade will be based on the written essay.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Passports: Students must possess a valid US Passport
2. Visa: Students must obtain a tourist visa for India valid for the month of March 2008
3. Air Ticket: Students must be able to purchase the round trip airline ticket by credit card (approximately $2000) as soon as it becomes available through the travel agent
4. Additional Travel Expenses: Students must be able to deliver an additional $2000 (exact amount TBD - hopefully less) to the trip organizer, Dr. Khalsa by February 15, 2008.
5. Health:  Students must be in good health for the rigors of travel in a third world country.