MAHATMA GANDHI INSTITUTE

School of Indological Studies

Department of Philosophy

B.A (Hons) Indian Philosophy (Full-Time)

Modular Credit Per Semester
Programme Structure

(2012-2015)

BA (HONS) INDIAN PHILOSOPHY (F/T)

1.	OBJECTIVES 

a)	To provide opportunities for a comprehensive study and understanding of Indian Philosophical concepts through analysis of primary texts and Commentaries thereon.

b)	To provide opportunities for exposure to Western Philosophical thought.

c)	To equip the student with a knowledge of Sanskrit and pedagogical skills.

d)	To provide opportunities for further studies in Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy and Sanskrit.

e)	To relate philosophical problems to modern life.

2.	GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

In accordance with the University General Entry Requirements for admission to undergraduate degree Programmes.

3.	PROGRAMME REQUIREMENT

Preference will be given to holders of an ‘A’ Level in Hinduism or 
Equivalent.

4.	PROGRAMME DURATION 

	Minimum:	 3 years 
	Maximum:	 5 years 

5.	MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE AWARD - 108
	
	Degree		Core Module	Elective	Dissertation
	
	B.A (Hons)			 96		     3  			9	
F/T          	      	          

6.	CREDITS PER SEMESTER

Minimum 9 credits, Maximum 24 credits subject to regulation 4 above.

7.	ASSESSMENTS

All modules will carry 100 marks and will be assessed as follows unless otherwise specified:
	
Written Examination of 2-hour duration at the end of every semester, carrying 70% of the total marks and Continuous Assessment carrying 30% of the total marks, unless otherwise stated.
	
Continuous Assessment will be based on assignment/s and should include at least one class test.

A minimum of at least 30% should be attained in each of Continuous Assessment and Written Examination, with an overall total of 40% for a candidate to pass a module.

8.	DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF DISSERTATION

Final copy to be submitted on the last working day of March of the academic semester.

9.	LIST OF MODULES
Code

CORE	Module Name	Hr/Wk
L+P	Credits	
INPH	1131 (1)	Main Aspects of Indian Philosophy	3+0	3	
INPH	1141 (1)	Philosophy of the V›das 1	3+0	3	
INPH	1151 (1)	Philosophy of the Upanishads I	3+0	3	
INPH	1161 (1)	Càrvàka and Jain Philosophy	 3+0	3	
SKT	1110 (1)	Sanskrit I	 3+0	3	
WPH	1111 (1)	Western Philosophy I – Introduction to Western Philosophy	 3+0	3	
INPH	3150 (1)	Gandhian Philosophy	 3+0	3	
INPH	1120 (3)	Buddhist Philosophy	 3+0	3	
INPH	2118 (1)	Philosophy of Sà§khya/Yoga I	 3+0	3	
INPH	1211 (1)	Western Logic II	 3+0	3	
SKT	1210 (1)	Sanskrit II	 3+0	3	
CSE	1010E (1)	Introduction to Information Technology	OE	3	
INPH	1240 (3)	Philosophy of øaiva Siddhànta and Kashmira øaivism	 3+0	3	
INPH	2111 (5)	Philosophy of the V›das II	 3+0	3	
INPH	2121 (5)	Philosophy of the Upanishads II	 3+0	3	
WPH	2111 (3)	Western Philosophy III	 3+0	3	
SKT	2110 (3)	Sanskrit III	 3+0	3	
INPH	2211 (3)	Indian Logic – Nyàya/Vaisheshika	 3+0	3	
INPH	2240 (5)	Philosophy of the Ràmàyana	 3+0	3	
INPH	2250 (5)	Philosophy of  Sà§khya/Yoga II	 3+0	3	
WPH	2211 (3)	Western Philosophy IV	 3+0	3	
SKT	2211 (3)	Sanskrit IV	 3+0	3	
INPH	3110 (5)	Philosophy of Pårva Mimà§sà	 3+0	3	
INPH	3121 (3)	Philosophy of V›dànta I	 3+0	3	
INPH	3141 (5)	Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gãtà	 3+0	3	
SKT	3010 (3)	Sanskrit V	 3+0	3	
INPH	3225 (3)	Methodology	3+0	3	
INPH	3211 (3)	Studies in Bhàgavatam and Nàrada Bhakti Såtras	 3+0	3	
INPH	3221 (5)	Philosophy of V›dànta II	 3+0	3	
IWPH	3231 (5)	Ethics	 3+0	3	
INPH	3240 (5)	Contemporary Indian Philosophy	 3+0	3	
SKT	3020 (3)	Sanskrit VI	3+0	3	
INPH	3010 (5)	Dissertation
	-	9	
ELECTIVES		
MST         2124 (3)
(Compulsory Elective)
		3+0	3	
GEM(from MGI/UoM lists)	(3)		 3+0	3	

10.	
PROGRAMMES PLAN
Module Code	Programmes	Hrs/Wk
L+P	 Credits	
Level I Semester I	
INPH 1131 (1)	Main aspects of Indian Philosophy	3+0	3	
INPH 1141 (3)	Philosophy of the V›das 1	3+0	3	
INPH 1151 (3)	Philosophy of the Upanishads I	3+0	3	
INPH 1161 (1)	Càrvàka and Jain Philosophy	3+0	3	
SKT 1110 (1)	Sanskrit I	3+0	3	
WPH 1111 (1)	Western Philosophy I – Introduction to Western Philosophy	3+0	3	
Level I Semester II	
INPH 3150 (1)	Gandhian Philosophy	3+0	3	
INPH 1120 (3)	Buddhist Philosophy	3+0	3	
INPH 2118 (1)	Philosophy of Sà§khya/Yoga I	3+0	3	
INPH 1211 (1)	Western Logic II	3+0	3	
SKT 1210 (1)	Sanskrit II	3+0	3	
CSE 1010E (1)	Introduction to Information Technology	OE	3	
Level II Semester I	
INPH 1240 (3)	Philosophy of øaiva Siddhànta and Kashmira øaivism	3+0	3	
INPH 2111 (5)	Philosophy of the V›das II	3+0	3	
INPH 2121 (5)	Philosophy of the Upanishads II	3+0	3	
WPH 2111 (3)	Western Philosophy III	3+0	3	
SKT 2110 (3)	Sanskrit III	3+0	3	
MST 2124 (3)	Aspects of Contemporary History (CE)	3+0	3	
Level II Semester II	
INPH 2211 (3)	Indian Logic – Nyàya/Vaisheshika	3+0	3	
INPH 2240 (5)	Philosophy of the Ràmàyana	3+0	3	
INPH 2250 (5)	Philosophy of Sà§khya/Yoga II	3+0	3	
WPH 2211 (3)	Western Philosophy IV	3+0	3	
SKT 2211 (3)	Sanskrit IV	3+0	3	
GEM (from MGI/ UOM lists)	-	3	
Level III Semester I	
INPH 3110 (5)	Philosophy of Pårva Mimà§sà	3+0	3	
INPH 3121 (3)	Philosophy of V›dànta I	3+0	3	
INPH 3141 (5)	Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gãtà	3+0	3	
SKT 3010 (3)	Sanskrit V	3+0	3	
INPH 3225 (3)	Methodology	3+0	3	
Level III Semester II	
INPH 3211 (3)	Studies in Bhàgavatam and Nàrada Bhakti Såtras	3+0	3	
INPH 3221 (5)	Philosophy of V›dànta II	3+0	3	
IWPH 3231 (5)	Ethics	3+0	3	
INPH 3240 (5)	Contemporary Indian Philosophy	3+0	3	
SKT 3020 (3)	Sanskrit VI	3+0	3	
INPH 3010 (5)	Dissertation (Including Viva-Voce)	-	9	

11.	
OUTLINE SYLLABUS

INPH 1131(1) Main Aspects of Indian Philosophy

Introduction to the main problems of Indian Philosophy with focus on Metaphysical concepts and theories. Problems of Philosophy. Nature source and purpose of Indian Philosophy. Concept of God and Soul. Indian Theories of creation. Theory of Action and Rebirth. Concept of Bondage and Liberation. Schools of Indian Philosophy

INPH 1141(3) Philosophy of the Vēdas I

Survey of Vedic literature with emphasis on the authority of the Vedas in Indian Philosophy.  Study of philosophical Hymns. Concept of God: Polytheism, Monotheism and Monism. Creation and Dissolution. Concept of Sacrifice and Liberation. Study of Philosophical Hymns:

	(i)	Nàsadãya Såkta
(ii)	Vak Såkta
(iii)	Purusha Såkta

INPH 1151(3) Philosophy of the Upanishads I

Survey of Upanishadic Literature with discussion on its characteristics and its significance in Indian Philosophy.   Upanishadic thought and the development of Vedanta Philosophy.	
Textual study and analysis of 

(i)	Isā Upanishad
(ii)	Prasna Upanishad 
(iii)	Katha Upanishad

INPH 1161(1) Càrvaka and Jain Philosophy

Brief survey of the Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy.  Càrvaka Metaphysics. Càrvaka Epistemology.  Càrvaka Ethics.  Jain Metaphysics. Jain Epistemology. Jain Ethics.

SKT 1110(1) Sanskrit I

Introduction to Sanskrit Language and Dēvanàgari script. Vedic and Classical Sanskrit.  Introduction to Pànini’s Grammar.  Study of the basic rules of Sanskrit Grammar.  Construction and translation of simple sentences in Sanskrit.

WPH 1111(1) Western Philosophy I – Introduction to Western Philosophy

Discussion on the historical development of western philosophical thought with special focus on the main problems of philosophy.

INPH 3150(5) Gandhian Philosophy

Overview of Gandhi’s philosophy with focus on Ethics, Philosophy of Religion and Political Philosophy.  Study and analysis of “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”.

INPH 1220(3) Buddhist Philosophy

General discussion on the advent of Gautama Buddha and his main teachings. Schools of Buddhism. Buddhist Metaphysics with special reference to øånyavàda and Vijñànavàda, Buddhist Ethics. Buddhist Theories of knowledge according to øånyavàda and Vijñànavàda.

INPH 2118(1) Philosophy of Sà§khya/Yoga I

Analysis of the basic principles of causation enshrined in the Philosophy of Sà§khya/Yoga. Concept of Purusha and Prakriti. Theory of Causality (Satkàryavàda). Concepts of Bondage and Liberation.  Concept of ä÷hvara in Yoga. Ashñànga Yoga.

WPH 1211(1) Western Logic II

Analytical Study of Western logic and Epistemology. Nature of Logic.  Arguments 
and their Forms.  Deduction and Induction.  Truth and Validity. Problem of Meaning
and Definition.  Sign and Symbol. Structure of syllogism.  Rules of syllogistic
reasoning. Problem of knowledge.  Nature and source of knowledge.  Theories of
Knowledge.

SKT 1210(1) Sanskrit II [PQ –SKT 1110(1)]

Analysis and application of simple grammatical rules relating to selected Sandhi, Samàsas, Subanta, Tiïanta.  Translation and explanation of text.

CSE 1010e (1) Introduction to Information Technology

The world of Computers.  Main components of the computer.  The evolution of computers. Input and output devices.  Secondary storage. Programming.  Systems Software.  Application software. Systems analysis and design. Communications and connectivity. The internet. Information technology and society.

INPH 1240(3) Philosophy of øaiva Siddhànta and Kà÷mīra øaivism

This module surveys the philosophical precepts of øaiva Siddhànta and Kà÷mãra øaivism and their impact on Indian Thought.  øaiva Siddhànta :  The øaktis; theory of creation and concept of  Bindu.   Concept of Bondage and Liberation.  Kà÷mãra øaivism:  Concept of Absolute Consciousness.  Concept of Spanda. Pratyabhijñà and the Upàyas.

INPH 2111(5) Philosophy of the Vēdas II [PQ- INPH 1140(3)]

Critical study of the following texts: The Secret of the Vedas - Aurobindo (selected portions). Further Philosophical Hymns of the Vedas - Hiraõyagarbha Såkta, Brahmacarya Såkta, Dhannnadànam Såkta.  Analysis of Aurobindo’s interpretation of the Vedas.

INPH 2121(5) Philosophy of the Upanishads II [PQ – INPH 1150(3)]

Critical study of the following texts

a)	Brihadàraõyaka Upanishad 
b)	Chàndogya Upanishad 
c)	Kena Upanishad 

WPH 2110(3) Western Philosophy III

Survey of classical Philosophy with special reference to Plato.

Critical Study of   (i) The Republic

SKT 2110(3)  Sanskrit III [PQ – SKT 1210(1)]

Analysis and application of further rules of Sandhi, Samàsa, Subanta and Tiïanta.  Translation from Sanskrit into English and English into Sanskrit.  Explanation of text.

MST 2124(3) Aspects of Contemporary History

Study of some aspects of the History of Mauritius from 1947 to the present including political changes, economic development and culture.

INPH 2211(3) Indian Logic – Nyàya Vai÷heshika

Study in Nyàya Vai÷heshika Philosophy with focus on Nyàya Epistemology and system of Logic.
Means of Knowledge.  Epistemology of Perception. Inference: Theory of Invariable Concomitance. Syllogism and its five members. Verbal Testimony.  Comparison. Distinction between Verbal Testimony and Comparison.  Theory of Atomism 

INPH 2240(5) Philosophy of the Ràmàyaõa

Survey of Ràmàyaõa Literature.  Analytical study of selected portions of the following: Ràmàyaõa of Vàlmãki, Ràmàyaõa of Kamban, Adhyàtma Ràmàyaõa and Ràmacarita Mànasa.

INPH 2250(5) Philosophy of Sà§khya/Yoga II [PQ – INPH 2118(1)]

(i)	Critical study of Sà§khya Kàrikà (complete)
(ii)	Critical study of Yoga Såtras of Panta¤jali - (Samàdhã Pàda only)

WPH 2211(3) Western Philosophy IV

A study of Modern Western Philosophy with special reference to Cartesian rationalism – Locke’s Idealism.

SKT 2211(3) Sanskrit IV [PQ – SKT 2110(3)]

A.	Translation:	
(i)  	Sanskrit into English   (Based on prescribed texts)
(ii)  English into Sanskrit. 

B.	Comprehension questions to be answered in Sanskrit - (Based on prescribed texts). Grammatical notes on texts studied.

GEM – From MGI/UoM lists

INPH 3110(5) Philosophy of Pårva Mãmà§sa

Overview of Mãmà§sa literature. Analysis of the main philosophical concepts of the Mãmà§sa School.  Schools of Pårva Mãmàmsa, Concept of Dharma, Vidhã and Apårva, Concept of Bondage and Liberation.  Mãmà§sa Theory of knowledge.

INPH 3121(3) Philosophy of Vēdànta I

Overview of Vedàntic tradition. Advaita Philosophy:  Concept of Màyà.  Concept of Superimposition. Concept of Brahman.  Theory of Creation:   The three levels of Reality.  Jãva and its relation with Brahman.  Concept of Bondage and Liberation.

Vi÷istha-Advaita Philosophy: Meaning of Qualified Monism.  Criticism of øankara’s concept of Màyà. Concept of Brahman and Its Attributes. Concept of Bondage and Liberation.  Concept of Bhakti.

INPH 3141(5) Philosophy of the Bhagavad Gītà

Critical study of selected chapters from the Bhagavad Gītà with emphasis on the interpretations by Gandhi, Sant Jñàne÷vara and Aurobindo.

SKT 3010 (3) Sanskrit V: Grammar and Comprehension

This module consists of an analytical study of the main features of Sanskrit Grammar covering Sandhi, Samàsa, Subanta, Tiïanta, Gerund, Numerals, as well as a study of simple Sanskrit texts with the view to consolidating analytical skills and comprehension.

INPH 3225(3) Methodology

Pedagogical approaches in the teaching of Indian Philosophy, with emphasis on teaching of Hinduism in the Secondary schools in Mauritius.

INPH 3211(3) Studies in the Bhàgavatam Puràõa and Nàrada Bhakti Såtras

Overview of ørimad Bhàgavatam.  Critical study of ørimad Bhàgavatam (Skandha XI) and Nàrada Bhakti Såtra (Sutras 1 –25)

INPH 3221(5) Philosophy of Vēdànta II [PQ – INPH 3120(3)]

Critical study and analysis of selected extracts from the following: 
Brahma Såtra - øànkara Bhàshya
Brahma Såtra – øri Bhàshya; 
Vēdànta Paribhàshà – (Pratyaksha Khaõóa only)

IWPH 3231(5) Ethics

Critical analysis of basic ethical concepts with special reference to Indian and Western Ethics.Indian Ethics: The Purushàrthas. Nishkàma Karma. Bondage, Rebirth and Liberation. The five Yamas.  Concept of Sacrifice, Dana and Dharma.

Western Ethics:

Conventional and Reflective Morality. Virtue and well-being (Aristotle).Goodwill, Duty and Categorical imperative (Kant). Life, Suicide and Euthanasia. Utilitarianism, Crime and Theories of Punishment. Moral attitude to the environment and animals. Industrial Ethics

INPH 3240(5) Contemporary Indian Philosophy

Analytical study of the philosophy of Rammohan Roy, Vivekananda, Dayananda, Aurobindo and Tagore, with an overview of new trends in Indian Philosophy.

SKT 3020 (3) Sanskrit VI

This module will expose the students to different styles of Sanskrit Literature.
It consists of:

(i)	Study of selected texts from Hitopade÷a, Pàïcatantra, Ràmàyõa¸ Bhagavad 
Gãta and Manu Smçiti;
(ii)	Practice in translation from Sanskrit into English 
(iii)	Practice in translation from English into Sanskrit  

INPH 3010(5) Dissertation (With Viva-Voce)

Students will be required to carry out research work under the guidance of a Supervisor and submit a dissertation of about 8000 – 12000 words on one of the topics studied during this Programme.

Evaluation:	Written:	70%
		Viva-Voce:	30%

Research Project to be undertaken on a topic studied during this Programme.