$300.00
HAM4203 – This course delves into the development of Astronomy in ancient India, addressing the complexity in its understanding stemming from historical distortions, academic disinterest, and inherent difficulty. It examines topics studied by ancient Indians, revealing its rich historical tradition of observation and innovation. Exploring methodologies ranging from metaphorical narratives to mathematical precision, students gain insight into the quest for timekeeping accuracy They learn about renowned ancient Indian astronomers and their contributions, while tracing the global impact of Indian astronomy across ancient to modern times. Additionally, practical skills in planetarium software use are imparted. Through this comprehensive approach, students gain a deeper understanding of Indian astronomy's historical significance and its contemporary relevance.
This course is part of the following programs:
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In this course the student will be able to:
In this course, we’ll delve into primary sources, using translations to showcase the antiquity of Indian astronomy. Exploring how astronomical wisdom was metaphorically encoded in stories, we’ll trace the evolution of a mathematical tradition aiding in celestial predictions and timekeeping. We’ll examine the observation of celestial cycles and the intellectual rigor behind their synchronization. Mathematical methods from Siddhanta literature will be introduced, alongside concepts like Nakshatras, Rashi, and planetary models. The course covers ancient Indian astronomers’ tools and observations, including planetary movements and the precession of equinoxes. Various ancient Indian calendar systems and notable astronomers’ works will be discussed, along with addressing Western assertions and providing contrarian evidence, establishing an unbroken tradition of Indian astronomy from antiquity to the colonial era.
The class is structured into supplement classroom instruction with discussions and self-study each week. While the content being discussed in each class will be concluded within 60 minutes, the discussion time will be free format and can continue for an additional 30 minutes maximum. Quizzes will evaluate students’ understanding of the material. Students will either write a final paper on a topic of their choice from within the course syllabus or take a final exam at the end of each term.
$300.00
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