Faculty of Hindu Studies
Conducting research in this field enables students to acquire a deeper understanding of the different topics related to Hinduism in contemporary and historic context. Their research thesis can have a general focus, by providing an historical, religious, political and cultural framework of Hinduism, or it can address a specific area of interest, such as: Hindu history and origins, Hindu culture and religion, Hindu art and literature, Hindu philosophy, ethics and institutions.
By exploring the various aspects of Hindu culture in order to carry out their research thesis, students are able to develop an autonomous and critical learning of the discipline and to acquire a qualified methodology and content formation in philological and literary studies. Through a critical literature review, the researcher can analyze the historical and philosophical features of Hindu culture and tradition. Regardless of the specific research focus, a PhD in Hindu Studies should approach Hinduism by considering three main dimensions: living cultural traditions, primary text sources and various spiritual practices. Once the students manage to recognize and integrate such dimensions with coherence and consistency, they have already achieved a solid foundational understanding of the discipline.
The only available way to get a Ph.D. degree at Selinus University is by Research via distance learning. The program’s structure consists of an original, independent and autonomous research carried out by the candidate in a specific field of choice, which results in a final thesis (at least 100 pages long) to be evaluated by Selinus University.
Such evaluation is based on the content and the text organization of the thesis. Moreover, other elements to be assessed are the topic originality, the order and structure of the thesis, as well as the candidate’s ability to work in autonomy. To be eligible for Selinus University’s Ph.D. program, the applicant must be at least 30 years old (or turning 30 by the year of enrollment) and be in possession of a Master’s degree (or equivalent).
Majors:
PhD in Hindu StudiesPhD History and traditions of Hinduism
PhD in Yoga Studies
PhD in Origins and Genesis of Hinduism
PhD in Hindu Philosophy and Theology
PhD in Hindu Culture, Arts and Sciences
The faculty of Hindu Studies offers six institutional curricula. Since the Ph.D. by Research program, however, is characterized by research autonomy, students can also propose different topics and arrange with the Secretariat the religious studies subject which best suits their professional and spiritual needs.
Objective of the program
Through the research studies and thesis, our students are expected to develop their intellectual abilities, in order to fully understand all the historical, theoretical and practical expressions of Hindu religious thinking. The goal is to foster the candidates’ formation and growth, so that they can deepen their knowledge and perform competently both in the public and in the private sector. Hindu Studies are all about perennial wisdom traditions, which embraces every aspect of human life and activities. Written and oral, verbal and visual, science and metaphysic, immanence and transcendence: in the Hindu intellectual system, everything is interwoven as part of a whole.
With more than 950 million of followers, Hinduism is the third religion in the world. It’s also one of the most ancient and diversified creeds, since it encompasses several religious traditions, and therefore constitutes a very rewarding, enriching and fruitful area of study. Academic research aimed at completing the PhD program doesn’t have to be limited to Hindu theology, but it can also delve into Hindu philosophy, archaeology, anthropology and linguistics, so that graduate students are well-equipped to work in intercultural dialogue environments, such as non-governmental organizations, religious and charity institutions, consulting and teaching.
Files to download and read before sending the enrollment request:
Download Brochure Application Form