Sikhism – Review and Study Sheet #2
The assignment will have two parts. The first part will ask you to describe a specific idea, teaching, or author’s perspective. The second part will ask you to evaluate a given statement, view, or situation. The two parts are equally weighted.
Your answers will be graded on content (what you say), organization of your thoughts, and the mechanics of your writing (e.g. spelling, grammar, etc.) A solid answer to the first, descriptive part will require approximately 150-200 words (one or two paragraphs) while the second, evaluative part will require roughly 500 words (around 2 typed, double-spaced pages)
Sample descriptive short answer question (focus on assigned essays; closed question)
(at least two of the following questions will appear on the test) 150-200 words
Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair argues the creation of the Khalsa in 1699 is a case of creative violence. Explain, with examples, what Mandair means by this.
In his work on the Rahit literature of the 18th century, Louis Fenech illuminates several ambiguities about Khalsa history and practice. Identify and discuss in detail any TWO of the ambiguities Fenech addresses.
Kristina Myrvold analyzes the Guru Granth Sahib using performance criticism. What is performance criticism, and how does it differ from the approaches of Nikky Singh and of Louis Fenech?
What is historiography? What is the difference between normative claims and operational realities? Identify and explain briefly the four principles that Doris Jakobsh argues have characterized the writing about Sikh women in history.
What is meant by ‘gendering’? Discuss two instances of gendering identified by Doris Jakosbh.
Identify and discuss briefly the Amritsar Singh Sabha’s demographics and its understanding of Sikh identity and of Hindu-Sikh relations. Be sure to support your answer with examples.
Sample evaluative, short essay question (comprehensive question; open-ended question) 300-500 words for each
In this course, we have discussed a wide diversity of ideas, practices, institutions, and historical developments that have contributed to the making of ‘Sikhism’. How, if at all, can we meaningfully use the term ‘Sikhism’ to describe the history, beliefs, institutions, and practices of the panth? In other words, can we meaningfully talk about ‘Sikhism’ as a singular, unified tradition? Be sure to support your answer with evidence from the course material and/or the guest speakers.
History and memory are important ways we learn about the past, and they can also give us insight about why the present the way it is. Sometimes history and memory tell very similar stories. At other times, history and memory provide us with rather different stories. What does history tell us? What does memory tell us? Which, if either, is more important for understanding Sikhs and Sikhism?