Hindu Mythology

This course offers an overview of traditional Hindu narratives found in Vedic, epic, and Puranic literature, exploring their diverse regional expressions in literary and artistic forms. Students will study how these myths have shaped culture, philosophy, literature, and folklore throughout history. By examining key narratives, figures, and contexts, students will gain a foundational understanding of Hindu mythology and its role in society's meaning-making processes. The course will also engage students in analyzing how these myths manifest in cultural expressions such as visual arts, music, film, and architecture. Through this exploration, students will develop critical skills in assessing, recalling, and contextualizing the myths and their historical evolution.

For your signature assignment, you are required to create an artistic representation of a Hindu myth that incorporates traditional iconography, follows traditional artistic conventions, and provides the cultural nuance that is central to the creation of Hindu mythological arts…all the things that you’ve learned throughout the course and have demonstrated in your “Learning to Read” Assignments. 

While replicating these key components of Hindu myth, you are encouraged to think creatively about how you can incorporate your own style into the myth, its form, and its media. 

You are encouraged to work collaboratively on this assignment. You will find a discussion board topic titled “Signature Assignment Collaborations” through which you can find other students with whom you can team to enhance the vision and quality of your final product. 

Acceptable media:

• Animation
• Graphic Novel
• Podcast
• Dance
• Film
• Other (contact Caleb to discuss)

Finally, you need to include the same data from the “Learning to Read Assignments” to demonstrate how you incorporate traditional forms into your project. 

A. Who is the protagonist of the myth? 

1. Take screen capture(s) that illustrate(s) why you've identified this person as such.
2. Annotate the screen capture.
3. Include bullet points that explain in words why you've represented this character in this way.

B. Who are the two secondary characters of the scene? `

1. Take screen capture(s) that illustrate(s) why you've identified these dancers as such.
2. Annotate the screen capture.
3. Include bullet points that explain in words why you've represented this character in this way.

C. How does the myth begin? Which characters are present? What action is being performed?

1. Take screen capture(s) that illustrate(s) why you've represented the characters and action in this way.
2. Annotate the screen capture.
3. Include bullet points that explain in words why you've represented the characters and action in this way.

D. What is the primary conflict/question of the myth

1. Take screen capture(s) that illustrate(s) why you've represented the conflict/question in this way.
2. Annotate the screen capture.
3. Include bullet points that explain in words why you've represented the conflict/question in this way.

E. How is the myth resolved/concluded?

1. Take screen capture(s) that illustrate(s) how you've represented the resolution/conclusion.
2. Annotate the screen capture.
3. Include bullet points that explain in words how you've represented the resolution/conclusion.

Write a short synopsis of the story in prose piecing together the elements that you've identified above. This should take on the form of the third person-perspective narrative., that is just tell the story. For example, "X was walking to toward a tree in order to get an apple."

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Example of Collaborative Assignment

Five students develop 2-3 minute short animation that depicts Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu.

Team Assignments:

Student A: Script (Microsoft Word) and Voice Actor (Adobe Audition)

Student B: Character and Background Design/Creation (Adobe Illustrator)

Student C: Animation (Adobe Animate or Adobe Character Animator)

Student D: Script (Microsoft Office) and Voice Actor (Adobe Audition)

Student E: Editing and Post-Production (Adobe After Effects or Adobe Premier)

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Example of Solo Assignment

Student creates “true crime” podcast that solves the case of the missing Pandavas. 

Student A: Script (Microsoft Word), Voice Actor (Adobe Audition), and Editing (Adobe Audition) 

Helpful Links:

• Royalty-free Music
• Adobe Tutorials

The signature assignment in this course serves as a critical tool for fostering the authentic engagement of students with Hindu mythology, enabling them to perceive and represent these traditions through perspectives that are true to their origins and cultural contexts. Central to the assignment is the commitment to decolonizing the curriculum by allowing Hindu traditions to speak for themselves. This approach departs from traditional Western methodologies that often privilege textual interpretations over the dynamic and multifaceted expressions of living traditions. Instead, the assignment foregrounds Hindu mythology as a vibrant cultural system encompassing visual arts, music, performance, and ritual practices, providing students with a holistic understanding of these traditions.

The assignment’s design aligns with the pedagogical goal of situating Hindu mythology within its broader cultural and artistic frameworks. Students are tasked with creating an artistic representation of a Hindu myth while adhering to traditional iconography and artistic conventions. This process challenges them to engage critically with the material and apply their knowledge in ways that honor the tradition’s internal logic and cultural nuances. By encouraging creative interpretations within the bounds of traditional forms, the assignment emphasizes the dynamic nature of Hindu traditions as living systems of meaning rather than static artifacts of the past.

The assignment fosters perspective-taking by immersing students in the visual and performative languages of Hindu culture. Students are not merely analyzing myths as abstract texts; they are asked to embody the role of a cultural producer, grappling with the aesthetic, philosophical, and ethical considerations that shape traditional Hindu art. For example, a student creating an animation of Narasimha slaying Hiranyakashipu must consider the traditional depictions of these figures, their symbolic meanings, and the emotional impact these representations have had on practitioners and audiences across history. This approach allows students to engage with the myths as participants in a broader cultural dialogue, deepening their empathy and cultural sensitivity.

The assignment also integrates best practices in teaching and learning by leveraging educational technologies and incorporating non-literary interpretations into the curriculum. A multimedia approach enables students to interact with Hindu mythology on multiple sensory levels, fostering a deeper connection to the material. For instance, students might analyze a traditional dance performance or examine the iconographic details of a temple mural as part of their creative process. These methods align with active learning and constructivist principles, as students collaboratively construct knowledge through hands-on, experiential engagement with the subject matter.

Additionally, the assignment addresses challenges specific to online learning environments by utilizing tools within the Learning Management System (LMS). Scaffolding through discussion boards, collaborative opportunities, and structured deliverables ensures that students remain engaged and supported throughout the creative process. By combining traditional content with modern technologies and pedagogical strategies, the assignment creates a bridge between the historical richness of Hindu mythology and the diverse learning contexts of contemporary students.

Ultimately, this assignment empowers students to critically analyze and authentically represent Hindu traditions while cultivating a nuanced understanding of the cultural and artistic dimensions of these living narratives. It reaffirms the pedagogical commitment to decolonizing the curriculum by honoring the internal perspectives and dynamism of Hindu mythology, providing students with a transformative learning experience.