Two years in the making, Prof. Gavin Flood and his team have brought together many of the world’s best thinkers on Hinduism to create this unique course.
Drawing from The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism (first edition, electronic copy provided), and tutored by Prof. Flood, the book’s editor, this programme explores Hindu thought and practice across time, focusing on texts, philosophies, theologies, rituals, and social contexts.
On Completion of this course, you will…
- Gain a critically informed understanding of Hindu texts, philosophies, and traditions.
- Develop research and writing skills through personalised guidance.
- Produce an original thesis demonstrating your ability to engage deeply with a chosen area of Hindu studies.
Timing and Tutoring
The one-year course is expected to commence in January 2026.
Over three academic terms (commencing January, April, and July), students are guided through key topics. Audio/video lectures are given by our team of renowned scholars and Prof. Flood brings his decades of experience tutoring at Oxford to tutor students through this course. The fourth term is dedicated to a thesis project, where you’ll develop and present your own research with close academic supervision.
A strong emphasis is placed on personal support, with online tutorials and detailed feedback to assist with writing and reflection. This course is ideal for those seeking a rigorous and enriching study experience led by experts in the field.
From your tutor…
Prof. Gavin Flood FBA
I’m Professor of Hindu Studies and Comparative Religion at Oxford and the Piramal Dean of Hindu Studies at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies.
I study and write on Hindu texts to ask big questions about meaning, purpose, and holiness. It’s a privilege to teach and research something so vital to human life.
We’ve been working on this course for two years now and are delighted to see it finally come to life.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Materials and Teaching
Each session contains a lecture video. Students will be given access to an electronic copy of The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism (First Edition). Communication with your tutor will be via course forum and Zoom sessions.
Each module is released weekly over a seven-week term. Four terms cover one year.
What the Programme Covers
This course comprises a deep study of Hindu traditions and texts over time and place.
Each lecture is given by an expert in their field. Where possible, the lecturer is also the author of the chapter in The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism.
Lecturers
Where possible, the lecturers are also the authors of the relevant chapters.
- S. Bhuvaneshvari, Chennai / Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
- John Brockington, University of Edinburgh (Emeritus)
- Måns Broo, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
- Gavin Flood, University of Oxford
- Jessica Frazier, University of Oxford/Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
- Finnian Gerety, University of Oxford
- Jack Hawley, Barnard College, Columbia University
- Alan Herbert, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
- Knut A. Jakobsen, University of Bergen
- Nancy M. Martin, Chapman University (Former)
- John Nemec, University of Virginia
- Karen O’Brien-Kop, King’s College, London
- Patrick Olivelle, University of Texas at Austin (Emeritus)
- Tracy Pintchman, Loyola University Chicago (Former)
- Nick Sutton, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
- Bjarne Wernicke-Olesen, University of Oxford / Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
Topics
- The Dharmasastras
- The Sanskrit Epics
- The Puranas
- Tamil Hindu Literature
- North Indian Devotional Literature
- Orientalism and Hinduism
- Shaiva Traditions
- Vaishnava Traditions
- The Goddess Traditions
- Renouncer and Householder Traditions
- Hindu Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage in Europe
- Women’s Ritual Devotions to Krsna
- Early Foundations of Hindu Philosophy
- Hinduism and the Work of Reason
- Mantra
- Caste and Hinduism
- Gender in a Devotional Universe
Assessment
Each of the first three terms will be assessed on a 2000 word essay. These will each comprise 15% of the final grade. The fourth term will be a thesis term – a longer piece of writing that will comprise 55% of the final grade.
Fees
£845 fully inclusive of all materials and support. No extra fees.
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