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142042 VO From South Asia to the Himalayas: Yoga, Mantra, and Tantra in Global Contexts (2025S)
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Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Details
Language: English
Lecturers
Classes
Currently no class schedule is known.
Information
Aims, contents and method of the course
Assessment and permitted materials
In this lecture (VO), students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of the content presented through a written examination at the end of the course. While there is no mandatory attendance or registration requirement for the lectures themselves, students must register for the examination within the designated registration period.For the exam, students are encouraged to utilize the materials provided throughout the course (also via Moodle), including lecture notes, readings, and other resources discussed during the lectures. The examination will test their ability to critically engage with the key topics of the course, including the historical, cultural, and contemporary aspects of yoga, mantra, and tantra.Students will have access to their course materials during the examination but are required to properly reference any external sources they consult. No unauthorized materials or tools will be allowed during the exam. Four examination dates will be offered for students to take the final assessment.
Minimum requirements and assessment criteria
For this course, the final assessment will take the form of a written exam. In order to receive a positive evaluation, students must demonstrate a sufficient level of understanding and analysis of the course content in the exam. The exam will assess knowledge of Yoga, Mantra, and Tantra, their historical roots, global diffusion, and modern practices, as well as students’ ability to critically engage with these topics using the theoretical and methodological approaches discussed in the course.The written exam will include questions related to the core themes of the course, such as the connections between these traditions, the role of cultural appropriation, secularization, and spiritualization, and the methods used to study these practices. Students will be expected to answer questions that involve both theoretical understanding and the ability to apply critical analysis to the material.The grading will be based on the number of points awarded for each part of the exam. Specific point allocations and grading criteria will be clarified at the beginning of the course. A passing grade typically requires achieving a minimum number of points, and students will be assessed according to their ability to answer the questions comprehensively, with well-supported arguments and clear explanations. The points range will determine the final grade, from "Satisfactory" to "Very Good," with higher scores indicating a better grade.
Examination topics
For the written exam, students must learn and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the following:A thorough basic knowledge of the three interconnected traditions—Yoga, Mantra, and Tantra—focusing on their origins, development, and contemporary manifestations. This includes understanding their roles in healing, magic, alchemy, and liberation, as well as their influence on other religious and cultural practices globally.The ability to contextualize these practices within South Asian history and their spread across the Indian Ocean, through the Himalayas, and along the Silk Road. Understanding their impact on Tibetan Buddhism, East Asian traditions, and the modern-day global context, including the growth of yoga studios and mantra use worldwide.Familiarity with the various methods used to analyze and study these traditions, including historical, philological, anthropological, and interdisciplinary approaches. Understanding how these methods inform contemporary discussions in our fields of study. Including, basic knowledge of key debates surrounding the globalization of these practices, such as their commodification, the role of decolonization in spiritual practices, and the complexities surrounding cultural appropriation and orientalism.In summary, students must demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the material covered in the course, including the historical, theoretical, and methodological aspects of Yoga, Mantra, and Tantra. They must also critically engage with the broader global and cultural implications of these practices.
Reading list
The literature and study materials supporting the achievement of the above-mentioned learning objectives will be provided throughout the course and made accessible via Moodle. These will include:Primary Texts: Excerpts from key South Asian texts related to Yoga, Mantra, and Tantra, allowing students to engage directly with foundational sources.Scholarly Articles: A selection of academic articles and book chapters that address the historical, cultural, and theoretical perspectives on these practices, their global diffusion, and critical debates surrounding them.Ethnographic and Media Sources: Ethnographic accounts, interviews, and multimedia materials (including documentaries) that explore contemporary manifestations of Yoga, Mantra, and Tantra across different cultural contexts.Online Resources: Access to digital archives and online databases relevant to South Asian traditions, which will provide students with a range of academic and popular resources to engage with the topics studied.These materials will be curated to ensure a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, drawing from fields such as religious studies, anthropology, cultural studies, and South Asian history.
Association in the course directory
BA13, IMAK5b, EC1-1, EC-1-2
Last modified: Th 16.01.2025 12:25
By the end of the course, students will gain:
-A comprehensive understanding of the practices and traditions related to yoga, mantra, and tantra, both within South Asia and globally, from ancient ascetic traditions to contemporary yoga studios and their role in Himalayan Buddhism.
-Knowledge of scholarly perspectives and methodologies used to analyze these traditions, including textual, historical, anthropological, immersive, and interdisciplinary approaches.
-An understanding of critical debates such as secularization, cultural appropriation, orientalism, and decolonization in both South Asian and global contexts.Additionally, students will develop:
-The ability to critically analyze scholarly texts and academic discourses related to yoga, mantra, and tantra, both historically and in contemporary settings.
-Awareness of epistemic justice and critical thinking in discussions about spirituality, religion, wellness, and mindfulness across South Asia and the Himalayan region.
-The ability to engage with a wide range of sources, from primary texts to ethnographic media, and evaluate them in relation to yoga, mantra, and tantra.