Hinduism Assessment

This assessment will have two components:

A "basic facts" objective section that will encourage you to review terminology and key concepts.

An open book essay in which you explore and discuss the significance or meaning of the Bhagavad Gita for a person your age.

The objective section will consist of either a multiple choice or short ID section using some of the terms from Prothero and our discussions. It will take between 5 and 10 minutes and count for a maximum of 20% of the grade.

From the following twelve terms I will ask objective questions:

Atman Brahman Karma Dharma

Samsara Moksha Samadhi Nishkama Karma

Gunas (44-46; 102-103) Rajas (44-46; 102-103) Maya Bhakti (devotion)

The open book essay will ask you to respond to the following prompt:

What can or should a USM student learn from the Bhagavad Gita?

In formulating your answer, consider the following ideas:

How does Arjuna's situation "matter?"

What problems does the Gita seek to solve?

What makes karma yoga a practical way to achieve one's spiritual goals and lead a good life?

How does the practice of nishkama karma provide a life of enjoyment and fulfillment without attachment?

In answering the question, you must:

Select and discuss key quotations.

Use essential terminology.

Relate the text to your own experiences or the experiences of others.