One Year 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.
About this Programme
The one-year One Year Advanced Hindu Studies programme will offer deep and critically informed engagement with the diverse traditions of Hinduism.
Drawing from The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism, and tutored by the book’s editor, Prof. Gavin Flood, this programme explores Hindu thought and practice across time, focusing on texts, philosophies, theologies, rituals, and social contexts.
Timing and Tutoring
Over three academic terms, students are guided through key topics by a team of renowned scholars, including several contributors to the Companion. 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 regular tutorials, detailed feedback, and structured Zoom sessions 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.
Your tutor
Prof. Gavin Flood FBA
Professor of Hindu Studies and Comparative Religion, University of Oxford
Piramal Dean of Hindu Studies, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies
Gavin Flood etc.
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.
Below is a list of topics and their lecturers. Where possible, the lecturer is also the author of the chapter in The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism.
Each module is released weekly over an eight-week term. Four terms cover one year.
Module One: Text
- Vedas and Upanisads
Finn Gerety - The Dharmasastras
Patrick Olivelle, Nick Sutton - The Sanskrit Epics
John Brockington - The Puranas
Jessica Frazier - Tamil Hindu Literature
S. Bhuvaneshvari - Surdas
Jack Hawley - North Indian Hindi Devotional Literature
Nancy M. Martin
2000 word paper
Module Two: Tradition
Orientalism and Hinduism
Author: David Smith
Lecturer: David Haberman- The Shaiva Traditions
Gavin Flood - History of Vaisnava Traditions
Mans Broo - The Renouncer Tradition
Steven Lindquist - Hinduism and the Goddess: Śākta Traditions
Bjarne Wernicke-Olesen - Hindu Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage in Europe
Knut A. Jakobsen - The Month of Kartik And Women’s Ritual Devotions to Krsna in Benares
Tracy Pintchman
2000 word paper
Module Three: Philosophy and Theology – Language and People
- Early Foundations of Hindu Philosophy
Jessica Frazier - Hinduism and the Proper Work of Reason
John Nemec - Restoring “Hindu Theology” as a Category in Indian Intellectual Discourse
Francis Clooney - Mantra
Gavin Flood - On the Relationship between Caste and Hinduism
Nick Sutton - Gender in a Devotional Universe
Karen O’Brien-Kop
2000 word paper
Module Four: Thesis 5000 words
This term will comprise of a 5000 word thesis written under the supervision of Prof. Flood. It will contain guidance on how to craft a thesis statement and how to write a thesis. Students will be permitted ot submit a single draft for review before final submission.
Interested?
This course is still in production. If you’d like to be kept informed of start dates and fees, please complete this form.
