Admission requirements
Having successfully finished Propaedeutics SSEAS or equivalent knowledge of South and Southeast Asian history and society. Please, contact the student advisor, Nicole A.N.M. van Os or Mw. Dr. E.M. Raven, if you are interested in taking this course, but do NOT fulfill the above mentioned requirement.
Description
How can you tell a Hindu from a Buddhist or a Jain temple? Are modern temples different from those that were built in earlier times? What were important criteria for the building of a Buddhist stūpa? In which ways did sculpture and painting contribute to the meaning and function of typically South and Southeast Asian sacred architecture?
In this lecture series we study specific features of monuments that visually co-define the South and Southeast Asian architectural landscape. We examine to what extent a well-considered placement of imagery of deities, world protectors, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, narratives and auspicious motives optimize the architectural and ritual functionality of built space.
This course is a vital component in a BA-programme of students focusing on arts and material culture of South and/or Southeast Asia, but may be equally relevant for those studying Asian religions, cultural history, history or archaeology. Student of western art and architecture may consider to join and focus on a comparative approach. Students from other departments and a-la-carte students are most welcome to join as well.
Students are expected to engage with thematically chosen literature by short-essay writing assignments related to the literature read (graded, 40 % of total mark). Most of the literature is made digitally available. Several image databases are also used frequently, including the Digital Special Collections of the University Library.
The classes are offered in a thematic sequence.
The reading materials of the first half of the course are the subject of the first ‘tussentoets (20 % of the total mark). Early in the second half of the semester the students present a case study (selected from a pre-arranged list of subjects, 20 % of total mark). To round off the series, the students write a short paper related to the themes discussed (20 % of total mark).
Course objectives
Deepening the student’s knowledge of Asia’s religious architecture;
Creating an awareness of the application of specific visual and ritually relevant formats
Creating an awareness of the relevance of iconographic programmes
Creating insight into inherent symbolism and ritual relevance of architectural design of temples and stupas
Capacity building in the presentation of a case study by means of Powerpoint
Developing skills in handling digital image databases
Developing skills in reporting in writing on the results of research
Time table
Mode of instruction
- Seminar
Participation is obligatory.
Course Load
Seminar (12×2): 24h
Reading for and preparing the home writing assignments: 50h
Intermediate exam (tussentoets): 20h
Preparing the presentation: 16 h
Writing the short paper: 30h
Total studieload: 140 hours
Assessment method
Participation and home assignments: 40%
Intermediate exam (tussentoets): 20%
Presentation: 20%
Short paper: 20%
In order to pass the course, students must obtain an overall mark of 6 or higher. No re-sit possible.
The course is an integrated whole. The final examination and the assignments must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.
Blackboard
Blackboard### Reading list
G. Michell, The Hindu temple. Chicago, 1988 (or a later edition)
Selected reading materials (offered via BB)
Registration
Students are requested to register through uSis, the registration system of Leiden University for this course. General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch.
Registration Contractonderwijs
Registration as Contractonderwijs
h3.Contact