This introductory course examines Hindu tradition from religious, philosophical and social perspectives. Following a chronological order, it considers the stages of developments of Hinduism, starting from the sacrificial early Vedic religion up to the Puranic theism that has largely constituted Hinduism since the Middle Ages. We examine the philosophical and metaphysical content of the religious expressions we encounter and relate them to their social and historical contexts. We study the major texts of the tradition but also emphasize the link between the religious ideas and practices and their social and cultural contexts. Besides providing an introduction to one of the major world civilizations, this course also offers important theoretical insights on the nature of religion. It emphasizes the fact that the view of religion as a set of private beliefs exemplified by public rituals is too narrow for a pluricultural understanding of religious phenomena. Hinduism is exemplary in this respect. Because of its richness and diversity, Hinduism obliges us to broaden our concept of religion, as involving a plurality of elements: a rich diversity of ritual or transformative practices, the extensive use of narratives, the development of intricate metaphysical systems, the development of ways to conceptualize social exchanges, etc. Reading List: Radakrishna and Moore, Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy; W. O'Flaherty, Hindu Myths; Fuller, Camphor Flame; K. Erndl, Victory to the Mother, Kinsley, Hindu Goddesses; J. Varenne, Yoga; T. Hopkins: The Hindu Religious Tradition; Narayan, Ramayana; K. K. Klostermaier, A Survey of Hinduism; Babb, Divine Hierarchy. Requirements: full attendance and participation, one brief paper and one term essay (10-15 pages). No prerequisites. Enrollment limited to 30.