Advanced Hindu Studies

A year-long, expert-led journey guided by a leading Oxford scholar, offering deep, structured, and personalised engagement with Hindu traditions through critical study and original research.

Advanced Hindu Studies 1

One year course

Advanced Hindu Studies 2

All Materials Included

Advanced Hindu Studies 3

Study at your own schedule

The Course

Embark on a unique and rigorous one-year journey into Hindu thought and practice, meticulously developed over two years by Prof. Gavin Flood FBA and a distinguished team of the world’s foremost experts.

Commencing 18 January 2026, This unparalleled programme draws directly from The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism (first edition, electronic copy provided), to Hinduism, edited by Professor Flood. Professor Flood personally tutors this immersive exploration of Hindu texts, philosophies, theologies, rituals, and social contexts across millennia.

On completion of this course, you will…

1

Gain a critically informed understanding of Hindu texts, philosophies, and traditions.

2

Develop research and writing skills through personalised guidance.

3

Produce an original thesis demonstrating your ability to engage deeply with a chosen area of Hindu studies.

Curriculum

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.

Term One: Texts

January–March 2026
Surveys the texts at the heart of Hinduism

Term Two: Traditions

April–July 2026
Explore the major traditions and practices within Hinduism

Term Three: Thought and Practice

July–September 2026
Understand the philosophies that make up Hinduism and how they inform practice.

Term Four: Thesis

October–December 2026
Prof. Flood lends decades of experience guiding Oxford students to help you frame your own ideas in your own words.

N.B. Each of the first three terms consists of seven weekly lectures and allows five weeks after completion to submit an assignment.

Click to view entire curriculum
Term One: Texts – January 2026
  1. Vedas and Upanisads
    Author: Michael Witzel
    Lecturer: Finn Gerety
  2. The Dharmasastras
    Author: Ludo Rocher
    Lecturer: Patrick Olivelle, Nick Sutton
  3. The Sanskrit Epics
    Author: John Brockington
    Lecturer: John Brockington
  4. The Puranas
    Author: Freda Matchett
    Lecturer: Jessica Frazier
  5. Tamil Hindu Literature
    Author: Norman Cutler
    Lecturer: S. Bhuvaneshvari
  6. Surdas
    Author: John S. Hawley
    Lecturer: John S. Hawley
  7. North Indian Hindi Devotional Literature
    Author: Nancy M. Martin
    Lecturer: Nancy M. Martin

    8. 2000-word essay
Term Two: Traditions – April 2026
  1. Orientalism and Hinduism
    Author: David Smith
    Lecturer: David Haberman
  2. The Shaiva Traditions
    Author: Gavin Flood
    Lecturer: Gavin Flood
  3. History of Vaisnava Traditions
    Author: Gérard Colas
    Lecturer: Måns Broo
  4. The Renouncer Tradition
    Author: Patrick Olivelle
    Lecturer: Alan Herbert
  5. Hinduism and the Goddess: Śākta Traditions
    Author: Bjarne Wernicke-Olesen
    Lecturer: Bjarne Wernicke-Olesen
  6. Hindu Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage in Europe
    Author: Knut A. Jakobsen
    Lecturer: Knut A. Jakobsen
  7. The Month of Kartik And Women’s Ritual Devotions to Krsna in Benares
    Author: Tracy Pintchman
    Lecturer: Tracy Pintchman

    8. 2000-word essay
Term Three: Systems of Thought and Practice – July 2026
  1. Early Foundations of Hindu Philosophy
    Author: Jessica Frazier
    Lecturer: Jessica Frazier
  2. Hinduism and the Proper Work of Reason
    Author: Jonardon Ganeri
    Lecturer: John Nemec
  3. Restoring “Hindu Theology” as a Category in Indian Intellectual Discourse
    Author: Francis Clooney, SJ
    Lecturer: Gavin Flood
  4. Mantra
    Author: André Padoux
    Lecturer: Gavin Flood
  5. On the Relationship between Caste and Hinduism
    Author: Declan Quigley
    Lecturer: Nick Sutton
  6. Modernity, Reform, and Revival
    Author: Dermot Killingley
    Lecturer: Dermot Killingley
  7. Gender in a Devotional Universe
    Author: Vasudha Narayanan
    Lecturer: Karen O’Brien-Kop

    8. 2000-word essay
Term Four: Thesis – October 2026
  1. Live Zoom Session: What is a statement and what should it contain?
  2. Recording: What is a statement and what should it contain?
  3. Submit draft statement: 200–500 words
  4. Tutor review and feedback
  5. Complete statement
  6. Tutor signs off on statement
  7. Recording: Writing a paper
  8. Zoom Session: Writing a paper
  9. First draft to tutor
  10. Zoom session: Q&A
  11. Final paper: 5000 words

About The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism

The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism, edited by Course Convenor Professor Gavin Flood, is a seminal academic work first published in 2003, providing comprehensive scholarship on Hindu thought and practice. This course uniquely leverages this foundational text, offering students direct access to its insights and tutelage from its editor.

Course Delivery and Support

  • Learning Environment: The course is delivered entirely online, providing flexibility for students globally.
  • Content Delivery: Students access audio/video lectures by expert scholars.
  • Essential Course Materials: Students receive an electronic copy of The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism (First Edition), a foundational text for the course
  • Interactive Learning:
    • Dedicated Course Forum: An online platform for discussions and interactions with Prof. Flood and other students.
    • Scheduled Zoom Sessions: For direct engagement with tutors and for Q&A sessions related to modules and thesis development.
  • Detailed Feedback: Provided on assignments and thesis drafts to support academic growth.
  • Student Support: The programme offers a strong emphasis on personal support to aid students throughout their studies.

Course Convenor

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.

Advanced Hindu Studies tutor: Prof. Gavin Flood, OCHS

Your Lecturers

Advanced Hindu Studies 4

Gavin Flood, University of Oxford
Finnian Gerety, University of Oxford
Patrick Olivelle, University of Texas at Austin
Nick Sutton, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
John Brockington, University of Edinburgh (retd)
Jessica Frazier, University of Oxford
S. Bhuvaneshvari, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
John S. Hawley, Columbia University
Nancy M. Martin, Chapman University
David Haberman, Indiana University
Måns Broo, Åbo Akademi University, Finland
Alan Herbert, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
Bjarne Wernicke-Olesen, University of Oxford
Knut A. Jakobsen, University of Bergen
Tracy Pintchman, Loyola University Chicago
Dermot Killingley, Newcastle Univerity (retd)
John Nemec, University of Virginia
Karen O’Brien-Kop, King’s College, London

Where possible, the lecturers are also the authors of the relevant chapters.

Assessment and Certificate

The course grade is based on term essays and the final thesis. This course is not formally accredited. However, upon successful completion, students will receive a graded certificate signed by Professor Gavin Flood, with hard copies available upon request.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for this course. A workable command of English, internet, and a desire to learn are all that’s required.

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Fees and Enrolment

The fully inclusive course fee is £845, covering all materials and support, with no extra fees.

An early-adopter discount of £695 is available for a limited time.

Original price was: £845.Current price is: £695.

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Advanced Hindu Studies 5
Advanced Hindu Studies
Original price was: £845.Current price is: £695.

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