India: Himalayan Buddhist Art and Architecture

  India

Ladakh

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 15-August 3

Description: Spiti, Ladakh, and Zanskar are among the most remote and beautiful areas of Indic Asia. Despite their political inclusion within the modern state of India, these areas are considered to be within the Tibetan cultural sphere. However, unlike Tibet itself, Spiti and Ladakh are still culturally vibrant and relatively unspoiled by modern tourism or the imposition of foreign social norms. Many ancient Vajrayana Buddhist monasteries in the region provide awe-inspiring examples of the intricate religious systems of Western Himalayan Buddhism and its rich artistic institutions.

Vajrayana (Tibetan) Buddhism is the most complex form of Buddhism, not only in its philosophical foundations, but also in its visual expression. Buddhist monasteries use distinctive styles of architecture, painting, and sculpture to support, explain, and illustrate the elaborate systems of Vajrayana cosmography with its vast pantheon of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, goddesses, godlings, saints, demons, ghouls, and spirits.

Highlights: ASIA 3000: Himalayan Buddhist Art and Architecture Seminar (8 credits/120 hours)
Focus on the history, arts, architecture, and culture of the Himalayas. Topics include: traditional and contemporary issues in Himalayan art history; stresses of tourism and environmental degradation; conservation and restoration of threatened structures; ancient and modern history of the region; social and political issues; and Himalayan geography, flora and fauna, climate change, deforestation, and water conservation.
A methods component helps develop field study skills in observation and interviewing, gathering and organizing research materials, and maintaining a work journal. As many of the sites that students will study have not been surveyed, the component will also cover art historical conservation and restoration.

A practicum provides an opportunity to learn Himalayan arts or crafts such as thangka painting, sand painting, woodcarving, dance, or folk music. Alternatively, students may choose to conduct an academic research project.

Educational Excursions:
Spiti, Manali, trek to Zanskar, Chenmo Monastery.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: contact sponsor

Experience Required: yes

Student Eligibility: At least two semesters of college-level work at the time of application and good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Prerequisites: None required, but background in art, art history or architecture is strongly recommended.

This Program is open to American and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to India in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. To make study abroad opportunities available to a wide range of students, SIT Study Abroad offers a variety of scholarships. We base all scholarship awards on need and merit. Awards range from $500 to $5,000. For a full list of scholarships, and to download a scholarship application, please visit our web site.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

SIT Study Abroad's Mission Statement: SIT Study Abroad is the accredited higher education institution of World Learning, a private, nonprofit international organization promoting international and intercultural understanding, social justice, and economic development through education, training, and field projects around the globe. SIT prepares students to be interculturally effective leaders, professionals, and citizens through SIT Study Abroad, undergraduate, field-based academic programs operating in more than 50 countries worldwide, and thorough short-term professional training and graduate degrees in language teaching, conflict transformation, international education, social justice in intercultural relations, management, and sustainable development.

Year Founded: 1932