Cardiff School of History, Archaeology and Religion

Jainism - 20 credits (RT1212)

Summary of course content

This double module provides an introduction to the history, doctrines, philosophy, ritual and worship, textual sources, anthropology and art of this ancient, and still flourishing Indian religion.

Credits: 20

Availability: alternate years: 2012-13, 2014-15

Prerequisites
Part One RS

Necessary for:
N/A

Teaching Methods

Informal and formal lecturing with use of:
Handouts
Slides
Videos
Printed material
Small group preparation (based on designated reading and questions), followed by group presentations and a general discussion.
A fieldwork trip to the Jain temple in Leicester.
Talks by visiting speakers.

Aims

a) Introduce students to the history, doctrines, philosophy, ritual and worship, textual sources, anthropology and art of this ancient Indian religion.

b) Enable students to produce, through the planning and writing of an extended essay, some analytical work in depth on a particular aspect of Jainism.

c) Provide a basis for students to distinguish between what is unique to the Jaina tradition and what it shares with the wider Indian religious culture.

Learning Outcomes

a) to situate the main beliefs and practices of the Jains in their cultural and historical contexts, with reference to key texts (verbal and visual);

b) to identify and analyse those elements that distinguish Jainism from other Indian religions and provide a critical account of the coherence and integrity of the tradition;

c) to give some account of the ways in which Jainism has changed, particularly over the last two centuries, and to suggest what historical, social and ethical dynamics are at work in the modern community.

Assessment

This double module is assessed by:

i) a TWO HOUR exam in the summer exam period (75% of total mark).

ii) ONE 3000 word essay (25% of total mark). The maximum length is 3000 words, the minimum 2500 words.

Suggested book purchases

Dundas, P, The Jains (Routledge, 2nd. ed. 2002)