Universität Wien

010085 VU Lecture with exercises to modern History of Religion (2026S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Theologien und Religionswiss.
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

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 (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 24.04. 08:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5
  • Saturday 25.04. 08:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 7 Hauptgebäude, Tiefparterre Stiege 9 Hof 5

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Aims

The aim of the course is to familiarise students with the multiple meanings of the term
“yoga” and allow them to understand the historical transformation of the phenomenon in
question, from its debated prehistoric roots up to the modern forms of practice observable
both in India and globally.
Yoga will be presented as a theoretical system grounded in distinct anthropological
assumptions and as practical means of achieving soteriological goals in different contexts.
Attention will be given to the political and ideological context of modernity, which resulted in
the emergence of the contemporary understanding of yoga as a form of spirituality and a
movement practice.

Contents

1. The earliest conceptions of the term “yoga”
2. Yoga, ascesis, and the interiorisation of ritual
3. Yoga in the Mahābhārata
4. Yoga of the Pātañjala-yoga-śāstra
5. Haṭha yoga
6. Yoga and tantra
7. Modernity, India, and yoga
8. Origins of Modern Postural Yoga
9. Issues in contemporary transnational yoga

Methods

Lectures, class discussion, reading

Assessment and permitted materials

Final essay (50%); active participation in lessons (20%); review (30 %)

The course instructor decides whether and which AI may be used in class or when writing academic papers. The details will be announced in the course and will be agreed upon with the students. In the event of suspicion of non-transparent or unauthorised use of AI, the course management reserves the right to hold a "grade-relevant discussion". The purpose of this grade-relevant discussion is to ensure that the student is able to complete the paper independently. If the discussion reveals that the student is unable to provide sufficient information on the content, methods, sources used or conclusions of the paper, the paper will be assessed negatively. If it emerges during the interview that unauthorised aids have been used, a procedure under study law will be initiated due to the use of unauthorised aids. Otherwise, the assessment originally intended by the course instructor will be retained.

Further information can be found in the current guidelines of the University of Vienna on dealing with AI: https://doi.org/10.25365/phaidra.544 and in the guidelines of the KTF: https://ssc-kaththeologie.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/s_ktf/2019/Im_Studium/Leitlinien_KI_der_KTF_Endfassung.pdf

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

To ensure that the teaching and learning objectives are met, attendance at this course is compulsory. Students may miss up to two 90-minute sessions. If students are unable to attend additional lessons, they must provide credible reasons for their absence.

Final essay (50%); active participation in lessons (20%); review (30 %).

The written assignments has to be submitted until 31 July.

If the final essay receives a negative assessment, it will be returned to the student for improvement.

Examination topics

See above.

Reading list

Journal of Yoga Studies, Vol. 1-6. https://journalofyogastudies.org/index.php/JoYS/issue/archive
Mallinson, J. & Singleton, M. (2017). Roots of Yoga. London: Penguin Classics.
Singleton, M. & Byrne, J. (Eds.). (2008). Yoga in the Modern World: Contemporary Perspectives. London: Routledge
Whicher, I. & Carpenter, D. (Eds). (2003). Yoga: The Indian Tradition. London: Routledge Curzon.
White, D.G. (Ed.). (2012). Yoga in Practice. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Association in the course directory

066 800 Version 2025W: M1 VU zu moderner Religionsgeschichte; auslaufende Version 066 800: M2.4, M15; 033 195 (17W) BRP 07rwb (statt VO Einführung in die Indologie), 09rwb (VU zur modernen Religionsgeschichte ODER Vorlesung zur alternativen Formen der Religion) oder 17rwb (VU Vorlesung mit Übung zu einem Thema der speziellen Religionsgeschichte)

Last modified: Fr 13.02.2026 09:45