Module Code and Title            : BHS201 Cultural History of Bhutan

Programme                              : BA in History and Dzongkha

Credit Value                             : 12

Module Tutor                            : Rabilal Dhakal

General Objectives

This module aims to provide the background on the cultural aspects of Bhutanese society. It will also explore the change and continuity of culture in Bhutan. Furthermore, this module also aims to promote the understanding of social, cultural and religious change, and their importance in relation to the present context.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

1.    describe the importance of culture  for Bhutan

2.    explain different types of festivals in Bhutan

3.    describe the importance of Dzongkha as the National Language

4.    recognize the  significance of Zorig Chusum

5.    Discuss the importance of   foreign and Bhutanese literature in constructing Bhutanese history

6.    assess the importance of festivals as an integral part of Bhutanese culture

7.    differentiate the roles of different games as a means of fostering cooperation in a society

8.    explain the factors responsible for the change and continuity of culture

9.    identify the significance of  art and architectural designs of chorten, Dzongs and monasteries 

Learning and teaching approach:

 Assessment approach

Assessment for this module will be carried out on a continuous basis as given below:

A. Assignment 1: 10% of internal assessment

The first assignment will have to be written individually consisting of 10%

B. Assignment 2 : 20% of internal assessment

The students will have to write a second assignment as group work and 5% of the 20% will be kept for Viva Voce

C. Class Test :10 % of internal assessment

A class test will be conducted which will comprise 10% of the internal assessment

D. Presentation: 10% of internal assessment

For this module, students will have to make a presentation each on a topic  assigned by the tutor.

E. Semester-end Examination: 50%

Semester end Examination will be of 50% for this module

Overview of the assessment approaches and weighting

Prerequisite: N/A

Subject Matter

Unit I: Culture

• Definition
• Importance of Culture
• Types of festivals: Tshechus, Lochoes, Dromchoes,
• Approaches to understand culture: Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism
• Bhutanese culture and its uniqueness

Unit II: Literature

• Types and values of Bhutanese Literature
• Foreign and Indigenous Accounts: Namthars, Debthars and Archaeological Sources

Unit III: Art and Architecture

• Definition of art and its importance
• Significance of Bhutanese architecture and its importance
• Dzongs ; Simtokha, Punakha,,Trashi Chhoedzong Trongsa, &Trashigang
• Significant Chortens& Monasteries of Bhutan Thimphu
• Traditional Houses: Materials and Technology  and Significance
• Zorig Chusum (Thirteen Crafts) – Origin &Types

Unit IV: Language

• Different types of languages of Bhutan
• History, growth and development of Dzongkha as the National Language
• Communication - definition, channels of communication, Verbal and Non – verbal communication, Edward T.Hall’s High context and Low context theory

Unit V: Games – traditional and modern

• Origin
• Traditional Games and their status
• Modern Games
• Significance and changing scenario

Unit VI: Custom and traditions - What is custom?  And what is tradition?

• Food
• Dress
• Driglam Namzha
• Marriage
• Rituals
• Folk Songs and Dance

Unit VII: Continuity and culture change in Bhutan since 1980s 

Reading List

Essential reading:

Aris, M., & Hutt, Michael. (Ed.). (1994).Bhutan: Aspects of Culture and Development. Gatmore, Scotland: Kiscadale

Chakravarti, Dr. B. (1979). A Cultural History of Bhutan. West Bengal: Hilltop Publisher

Dorji, R. (1990). A Brief Religious, cultural and Secular History of Bhutan. New York: Asia Society Galleries

Lavenda, R.H., & Schultz, E.A. (2008). Anthropology: What does it mean to be human? NewYork: Oxford University Press

Dorji, R. (1989). A Brief Religious, Cultural, and Secular History of Bhutan. Asia Society Galleries

Additional reading:

Choden, K. (1994). Folk tales of Bhutan. Bangkok: White Lotus

Dorji, C.  (2001). The Clear Mirror of Archery in Bhutan. Thimphu: Chang Dorji

Dorji, C. (2004). Clear Exposition of Bhutanese Architecture. Thimphu: Chang Dorji

Dorji, Dr. C.T. (2008). A concise cultural history of Bhutan. New Delhi. Prominent Publishers

Gyaltshen, D. (1999). Driglam Namzhag Debther NorbuiT hrengwa. Thimphu: National Library

Pedey, K.(2005). Ta She GhaChha : The Broken Saddle and Other Popular Bhutanese Beliefs. Thimphu: DSB Publications.

Sithel, D. (2001). The origin and description of Bhutanese mask dances. Thimphu: Thimphu: D.S. Dorji

Sinha, A.C.(2001).Himalayan kingdom Bhutan: Tradition, transition and transformation. New Delhi:          Indus Publishing Company

Solverson, H. (1995).The Jesuit and the Dragon, the Life of Father William Mackey in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Outremont: Robert Davies Publishing

Ura, K.(1995). The Hero with a Thousand Eyes: A Historical Novel. Thimphu: Karma Ura

Wangchuk, L. (2008). Facts about Bhutan – the land of the thunder dragon. Chennai: NPT Offset Press.

Zeppa, J. (1999).Beyond the Sky and the Earth: A Journey into Bhutan.New York and Toronto: Doubleday

http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/publicationFiles/OccasionalPublications/CultureAndModernisation/Chapter%204%20Culture%20and%20Tradition.pdf

Date: May, 2015