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As you all know and may be excited about, we will be diving into Independent Study Projects, or ISP’s, during our time in Varanasi. This ends up being some students’ favorite part of a Dragons course. You have the chance to pursue a current passion of yours, but within the lens of Indian culture, or you are able to dip into a topic or skill area that is completely new to you.
While you do not need to make a final decision about what your ISP topic will be yet, we would like you to begin considering some options. The list below gives some options for you to think about, but we are open to other ideas you have too. We ask that you chose three topics that excite you. Once we are all together in India, you will talk through your list with your instructors and we will find the right match for you.
In Varanasi we will pair you with a mentor in that field and you will spend some time each week meeting with this person to learn and create. You will have the opportunity to have a capstone project and share what you are working on with our group and our home-stay families and broader community.
Have fun day-dreaming about all of these potential options!
ISP IDEAS:
Mapping sacred space of a temple in Banaras
Investigating the rituals of one ghat or temple
Hindu and Buddhist creation stories
Hindu/Buddhist/Muslim death rituals
Comparing Hindu & Buddhist ideas of moksha (or karma or dharma)
Meditation
Yoga and philosophy
Buddha’s life story: different perspectives Buddhist art
Religious traditions common to both Hindus and Muslims (ie., popular worship sites in Banaras)
Comparing marriage ceremonies (btw different castes, religions)
Miniature Painting
Women’s roles/gender issues
Dance- kathak, modern dance, Bollywood dance
English teaching at a local school
Stone carving
Traditional textiles: Block printing, batik, tie & dye
Muslim weavers in Banaras
Music: sitar, tabla, sarengi, vocal, sirodh, bansuri, etc.
Martial arts (Indian stick fighting)
Indian Cooking
Ayurveda
Photography
Local politics: BJP, Congress, Communist, and Samajvadi parties
Bollywood film