Universität Wien
Warning! The directory is not yet complete and will be amended until the beginning of the term.

140093 UE Material Culture: Indian Religions through 10 Objects (2019W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
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

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Wednesdays from 1.30-3.00 pm

  • Wednesday 16.10. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 23.10. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 30.10. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 06.11. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 13.11. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 20.11. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 27.11. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 04.12. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 11.12. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 08.01. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 15.01. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 22.01. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37
  • Wednesday 29.01. 13:30 - 15:10 Seminarraum 6 ISTB UniCampus Hof 4 2C-O1-37

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this seminar, we will examine Indian religions through the lens of material objects and their use in religious practice. Materiality is not secondary to ideas, but materiality triggers ideas and states of mind that influence material practices. We will study Indian religions through objects with the assumption that things, their usage, valuation, and power of attraction are inseparable from religion. Each object has its own biography and social agency. The same object can tell a completely different story depending on the perspective one looks at it and its context. The theoretical and methodological approach often referred to as the "material turn" gives us the opportunity to analyze Indian religions from an often-neglected perspective.
Students will have the opportunity not only to experience the socio-cultural aspects of Indian religions through selected objects in class, but they will also be able to apply these methodological approaches by researching the social-life of an artifact from the collection of the Weltmuseum in Vienna.

The Seminar will be held in English (Assignments can be, however, submitted in German)

Assessment and permitted materials

Active participation in the weekly discussions. Critical questions or a short written response to the reading material provided for each session (to be sent before each session). Mini-research on a particular object to be delivered in the form of a paper at the end of the Semester.
Details will be explained during the first session.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Regular and active participation in each Seminar session. In the case of absence without good reason (illness or similar) points will be deducted. The student will have to write a final paper.

Examination topics

Reading material and themes from the weekly discussion. A bibliography and reading material will be provided via Moodle.

Reading list

Will be provided on Moodle during the semester.

Association in the course directory

IMAK3a

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:20