ugc net Comparative Study of Religions syllabus

SUBJECT: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF RELIGIONS

Code No. : 62

UNIT I: STUDY OF RELIGION

  • a. Religion: Meaning, Definition, Nature, and Scope

  • b. Theories: Origin of Religion

  • c. Study of Religion: Aims and objectives

  • d. Dimensions of Religion: Doctrinal, social, moral code of conduct, devotional praxis

  • e. Religion’s Relationship with other Disciplines: Theology, Ethics, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology, Culture and Arts

UNIT II: PRE-HISTORICAL RELIGIOUOS FORMS

  • a. Early forms of Religious Expression: Mana, Magic, Fetishes, Shamans, Totem, Taboo, Ancestor worship

  • b. Nature of Holy: Animism, Naturism, Theism, Polytheism, Henotheism, Deism, Monotheism, Pantheism, and Panentheism

  • c. Task and Objectives: Myths, Rituals, Rites of Passage, Sacraments, Prayers, Festivals, Sacrifices

  • d. Religion of the Major Civilizations: Indus Valley, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese.

  • e. Meaning and Nature: Syncretism, Mysticism, Schism, Sect, etc.

  • f. Zoroastrianism : Beliefs and Practices

UNIT III: MODERN TRENDS IN THE STUDY OF RELIGION

  • a. Approaches to the Study of Religion: Anthropological, Sociological, Phenomenological, Psychological, Historical, and Experiential.

  • b. Challenges to Religion: Atheism, Agnosticism, Existentialism, Humanism, Marxism, Rationalism, Materialism, Secularism, Relativism, Globalization, Clash Civilizations.

  • c. Modern Trends in the Study of Religion: Holistic or all inclusive approach, interfaith understanding and dialogue, co-existence, human rights, empowerment of the Subaltern or social justice, gender equality, ecology and environment, world peace and harmony.

  • d. Religious Authority: Tradition, magician, diviner, scripture, seer, saint, reformer, founder, prophet

UNIT IV: HINDUISM

  • a. Nature of Vedic Religion and Culture

  • b. Vedic Literature – Samhita-s, Aranyak-s, Upanisad-s

  • c. Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Shaktism, Tantraism, etc.

  • d. Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy – Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta

  • e. Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata) and Purana-s

  • f. Bhakti and Reform Movements of the Medieval Period

  • g. Modern Reform Movements (Brahmosamaja, Aryasamaja, Ramakrishna Mission, etc.)

UNIT V: JAINISM

  • a. Sramana Culture and Tirthankara Tradition (Rsabhadeva to Mahavira)

  • b. Main Sects of Jainism – Digambara and Svethambara

  • c. Prakrit Agama Literature and Prominent Acaryas

  • d. Basic Doctrines, Principles and Philosophy

  • e. Contribution to Arts and Arhitecture

  • f. Social Aspects of Jainism

  • g. Contemporary Developments of Jainism

  • h. Jain Pilgrimage and Jain Festivals

UNIT VI: BUDDHISM

  • a. Background, Life and Teaching of Gautama Buddha

  • b. Pali Tipitaka Literature and Mahayana Sutra-s

  • c. Main Sects – Hinayana, Mahayana, etc.

  • d. Basic Doctrines, Principles and Philosophy

  • e. Contribution to Arts and Architecture

  • f. Expansion of Buddhism Outside India

  • g. Social Aspects and Revival of Buddhism

UNIT VII: JUDAISM

  • a. Origin and Development: Creation, the Call of Abraham, the Call of Moses, the Exodus, the Covenant on Mount Sinai

  • b. Hebrew Scripture: Pentateuch (Torah), Prophets (Nibium), Writings (Ketubium)

  • c. Jewish Beliefs: Ten Commandments, Talmud, Midrash, Passover, Messiah, etc.

  • d. Jewish Celebration: Sabbath, Synagogue Assembly, Passover, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Tabernacles

  • e. Jewish Ethics: Covenant consciousness, Mosaic Laws, Jubilee stipulations, marriage and family

  • f. Importance of Jerusalem

  • g. Major Denomination of Judaism

UNIT VIII : CHRISTIANITY

  • a. The Life and Message of Jesus Christ

  • b. The beginning of Christianity and the Sermon on the Mount

  • c. Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures

  • d. Main Christian Churches (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant)

  • e. Important Beliefs and Teachings of Christianity

  • f. Christian Life: Worship, Rituals, and Mysticism

  • g. History of Christianity in India h. Contemporary Trends in Christian Theology

UNIT IX: ISLAM

  • a. The social, religious condition of Arabia before the advent of Islam

  • b. Life of the Prophet Mohammad and the basic teachings of the Quran, the establishment of the Islamic community and the Madina state.

  • c. Introduction of Hadith and Fiqh and some important Muhaddith (Imam Bukhari, Imam Muslim) and Faqi (Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi, Imam Malki Imam Hanbal)

  • d. Some important Muslim thinkers: Ali ibn e Hazam, Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, ibn-eTaimiyah and Shah Waliullah

  • e. Development of Sufism, some important Sufi order’s (Chishtiyah, Qadriayah, Suharwardiyah, Naqsbandiyah, and their impact on society

  • f. Challenges of modernity and the reform movements among Muslim in India

  • g. Origin and development of sects: ithna Ashari, Mutazilites and Asharits

  • h. The contribution of Medieval Islam to Rational sciences, philosophy and fine arts.

UNIT X: SIKHISM

  • a. Socio-religious milieu and life and mission of Guru Nanak

  • b. Development of the Sikh Panth (1539-1708)

  • c. The Sikh Scripture (Sri Guru Granth Sahib) and the Sikh Literature

  • d. The Sikh beliefs and the code of conduct

  • e. The Sikh institutions, ceremonies and festivals

  • f. The Sikh sects and Modern socio-religious movements

  • g. The Sikh diaspora and Modern Issues