Jainism is an ancient religion from India that teaches that the path to enlightenment is through nonviolence and reducing harm to living things (including plants and animals). This course provides an introduction to Jain traditions and their historical roots in South Asia from the time of Mahavira (fifth century BCE) to the present. We will begin with a historical overview of key religious figures and ethics in Jainism, followed by an exploration of Jain philosophies to understand their views on existence and reality. This course will then examine ascetic practitioners, laypeople, sacred places, and objects, including temples and art. We will conclude with a focus on gender roles and the relationship between Jain ethics and environmental activism.

Instructor: Eileen Goddard is a lecturer and PhD student at the University of California Santa Barbara. Goddard's dissertation research focuses on the 16th century Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition and comparatively analyzes Indian religious constructions of “perfected” minds and bodies. Goddard's broader research interests include comparative Indian philosophy, Sanskrit literature and poetics, devotion (bhakti), perception, and gender and sexuality. Goddard completed her MA in Religion at Rutgers University and BA in Philosophy at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Course Dates: Tuesdays, April 1 to May 6, 3:00 to 4:30 PM (Eastern)

Registration is required to attend, and limited space is available.

Osher Online is a shared program exclusively for members of select Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs). This collaboration between the Osher National Resource Center and the School of Professional Studies at Northwestern University presents lecture and discussion-style courses over four academic terms – fall, winter, spring, and summer – yearly. The purpose of Osher Online is to share quality online courses and occasional special community events with local OLLIs.