1. The varnasrama-dharma system has had a tremendous impact on the development of Indian civilization.  Describe the essential features of the system and then explain its significance as the conceptual foundation of “traditional” Indian society.  Do you think that varnasrama-dharma has played a positive, negative, or mixed role in defining the social and religious framework of pre-modern India?  Can this system maintain a meaningful role in present-day India, or is it in fundamental conflict with the values of “modernity”?

2. Do a comparative analysis of one Indian and one Judeo-Christian religious tradition.  Your examination should include some discussion of the similarities and differences both within and between the “Eastern” and “Western” traditions and should work towards developing a statement that explains how the “comparative” approach has contributed to your overall understanding of religion.

3. Although the term “Hinduism” is commonly used to refer to the primary religious tradition of the Indian people, it should be noted that this use of the term arose during the modern era in response to a perceived need to distinguish this “dominant” tradition from others, such as Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Christianity.  Given the broad range of “Hindu” responses to fundamental issues—such as whether the Vedas are “revealed” texts, whether ritual is necessary for salvation, and whether ultimate reality should be understood in theistic or non-dualistic terms—one could argue that the term “Hinduism” is in fact meaningless.  On the other hand, one might also argue that despite the diversity of the Hindu traditions, there is some underlying “essence” that ties them all together.  Do you agree with either position, or would you propose a third?