Religious Traditions of India

Content

Using an introductory handbook and supported by didactic materials, this course discusses key concepts from the most significant religious traditions of South Asia: shaiva, vaishnava and shakta for the Hindu traditions, Jainism, South Asian Buddhism and Islam. 

Learning outcomes

1. Explaining the central concepts of the Hindu traditions, Jainism, South Asian Buddhism and Islam.  
2. Having knowledge of and insight into significant academic questions concerning these traditions.

Teaching methods

Lecture, Independent work 

Extra information on the teaching methods: Lecture (via MSTeams with interactive Q&A): concepts regarding the religious traditions are explained. Independent work: watching documentaries and sharing thoughts on guiding questions on the Ufora forum. 

Assessment

Assessment moments: end-of-term and continuous assessment 
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions
Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the resit examination period: Written assessment with open-ended questions
Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Participation 
Possibilities of retake in case of continuous assessment: examination during the second examination period is possible 

Extra Information on the examination methods: 
Written assessment with open-ended questions: responding to open questions, explaining terminology, identifying images.  
Participation: watching documentaries and forum participation 

Calculation of the examination mark: 

• Written assessment: 90%  
• Participation: 10%  

Students who do not take part in the assessment of one or more parts of the course evaluation or obtain a mark of less than 10/20 for one of its parts cannot pass the course evaluation. Should the average mark be higher than 10/20, the final mark will be reduced to the highest non-pass mark (= 9).

Lecturers

De Clercq, Eva: lecturer-in-charge 

Course dates

This course takes place in the second semester of academic year 2025-2026: 

• Educational activities: February 9 to May 16, 2026 
• Catch-up activities: May 18 to May 23, 2026 
• Easter Recess: April 6 to April 18, 2026 
• Examination period: May 26 to July 4, 2026 
• Resit Examination period:  August 17 to September 12, 2026 

There will be one online lecture per week from February 9, 2026 to May 5, 2026. Lectures will be recorded. 

Entry requirements: Broad interest in Indian culture. Full working knowledge of academic English.

How to apply

1. Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.  
2. Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office.  
3. Apply by completing the Ghent University form by December 19, 2025. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.  
4. Register at Ghent university. Registration instructions will follow after application.  

Information per university

• University of the Basque Country:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Bern:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Bordeaux:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• Comenius University Bratislava:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• University of Galway:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• Ghent University:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Groningen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• University of Göttingen:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Tartu:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., check the virtual courses page for more information
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For information regarding the course content: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.