FF:RLMgB254 Indian Christianity - Course Information

RLMgB254 Contemporary Indian Christianity

Extent and Intensity

1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).

Teacher(s)

Mgr. Jana Valtrová, Ph.D. (lecturer)

Guaranteed by

Mgr. Jana Valtrová, Ph.D.
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Matouš Vencálek
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts

Timetable

each even Wednesday 10:00–11:40 J21

Prerequisites (in Czech)

! RLB254 Indian Christianity

Course Enrolment Limitations

The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30

fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with

• Study of Religions (programme FF, N-RL_) (3)

Course objectives

Using contemporary Indian Christianity as a case study, the course touches on current issues related to the transformation of societies and religions in the former sphere of European colonial influence. At the same time, the course aims to introduce some basic theories that build on postcolonial approaches to the study of non-European cultures, religions and their history. Indian Christian denominations grow at the intersection of multiple cultures and religious traditions as "hybrid cultures" in Homi Bhabha's conception. At the same time, they have to cope with the challenges of post-colonialism. In the wake of the criticism of European influence with all its historical consequences in India, nationalist visions are being reinforced, building an image of an independent and proud India whose culture is based on Indian religions collectively known as Hinduism. As a result of this vision, Islam and Christianity are becoming undesirable, 'foreign' elements that are subject to increasingly strict regulation at the level of local and national policies. Christianity in India has a centuries-long tradition and also many forms that stem from the various historical circumstances of India's contact with Europe and the Middle East from antiquity to the recent past. It is the past associations of some of India's Christian denominations with colonial powers that are now the subject of controversy in the political discourse of modern India. The aim of the course is thus both to present the state of contemporary Indian Christianity as a "hybrid tradition" (H. Bhabha) in the context of modern Indian society and to offer tools for the critical study of its history. To this end, the course will introduce contemporary approaches of entangled/connected histories and global histories, which offer ways to grasp the history of non-European regions in new, non-colonial ways. Thus, attention will be paid to the approaches of "connected histories" (S. Subrahmanyam and others) and the project of "provincializing Europe" (D. Chakrabarty).

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students will be able to:

orient themselves in contemporary theories of cultural hybridity (H. Bhabha);

orient themselves in contemporary approaches of postcolonial historiography (S. Subrahmanyam, D. Chakrabarty) and global history;

orient themselves in the main denominations of Indian Christianity and their problems

Syllabus

• 0. Introductory lecture;
• 1. Indian Christianity - a basic overview of the current state;
• 2. Indian Christianity as a "hybrid tradition", Homi Bhabha and his theory of cultural hybridity;
• 3. Syrian Christianity in India - myths and history;
• 4. European Christian missions and their implications for Indian Christianity;
• 5. Connected History (S. Subrahmanyam) and Global History;
• 6. The project of 'provincialisation of Europe' and its implications for the grasp of Indian Christianity (D. Chakrabarty) ;
• 7. Dalit movement and Dalit theology;
• 8. Indian Christians and Hindu nationalism;
• 9. Christianity among indigenous tribes ;
• 10. "Indianization" and inculturation among Indian Christians;
• 11. Presentation of students works;
• 12. Presentation of students works, concluding discussion.

Literature

required literature
• ROBINSON, Rowena. Christians of India. 1st published. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2003, 234 s. ISBN 8178292939. info

recommended literature
• PUTHER, Bosco. Inculturation and the Syro-Malabar Church. 1st Ed. Kochi: L.R.C. Publications, 2005, x, 305. ISBN 8188979031. info
• Religious conversion in India : modes, motivations, and meanings. Edited by Rowena Robinson - Santhianthan Clarke. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2003, xv, 420. ISBN 0195663292. URL info
• Popular Christianity in India : riting between the lines. Edited by Selva J. Raj - Corinne G. Dempsey. New York: State University of New York Press, 2002, xix, 284. ISBN 0791455203. info
• DEMPSEY, Corinne G. Kerala Christian sainthood : collisions of culture and worldview in South India. 1st pub. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2001, xii, 213. ISBN 0195653599. info
• WEBSTER, John C. B. The dalit Christians : a history. 1st pub. Delhi: ISPCK, 1992, xiii, 275. ISBN 8172141602. info

Teaching methods

Lectures, discussions, reading.

Assessment methods

Contents of the semester:
Lectures, class discussions, student presentations.
Requirements:
(a) active participation in seminars (20%); written commentary to two selected texts (30 %);
(b) presentation of a seminar work and its written form (50 %).
See Study materials for detailed information.

Language of instruction

Czech

Further comments (probably available only in Czech)

The course is taught each semester.

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