SUMMER INSTITUTE IN SIKH STUDIES
Sikh Philosophy:
Literature, Concepts & Applications
July 28th - August 2nd
ORGANIZER:
Dr. Arvind-Pal S. Mandair Professor, Asian Languages and Cultures
Tara Singh, Balwant Kaur Chattha, Gurbax Singh, Kirpal Kaur Brar Professor of Sikh Studies
SUMMER INSTITUTE IN SIKH STUDIES
For over three decades the University of Michigan has offered regular courses in Sikh studies and Punjabi language on its central campus. The Summer Institute in Sikh Studies is designed to extend access to Sikh Studies over the summer period for non-UofM students. Starting in 2025, the Summer Institute will offer accredited online courses in Sikh studies with transferable credit. The purpose of the Summer Institute in Sikh Studies is to connect student communities across Michigan and beyond, through a shared experience of cultural education in aspects of Sikh and Punjabi heritage traditions. The course offered during the Summer 2025 semester is Sikh Philosophy: Its Literature, Concepts and Applications, which is being offered at the undergraduate and graduate level. The online component of this course is followed by a 1-week intensive in-person seminar on the U-M central campus, attendance for which is mandatory for graduate students but entirely optional for undergraduates.
Sikh Philosophy: Literature, Concepts & Applications
Course Description: Beginning with an introduction to Sikh history and literature, the main focus of the course is to survey some of the key concepts of Sikh philosophy and spirituality ( gurmat), investigating their relevance to our contemporary world, and asking a variety of questions. How do gurmat concepts inform the Sikh vision of life? What can they tell us about the nature of reality? Or about themes such as the nature of consciousness and spirituality, self and mind, death and rebirth, liberation, time, the nature of self and mind, and of course, ethics. Specifically, we shall be looking at how to apply the teachings of the Sikh Gurus to currently important issues in an era of geopolitical uncertainty. These issues may include health, ecology, homelessness, diaspora, sovereignty, decolonization. The course will be taught online June 30th to July 23rd, Mondays and Wednesdays from 5pm to 8pm. It will culminate in an intensive week-long in-person seminar from July 28th to August 2nd.
In-Person Graduate Seminar
In this week-long retreat participants will learn how to apply gurmat concepts within the context of global thought and apply them to contemporary aspects of life, society and politics. Each session will begin with brief presentations and responses from discussants before engaging in broader conversations. Participants will be encouraged to keep a daily journal in which they flesh out (over 5 or 6 days) the basis of several short-written pieces and/ or podcasts which can be later refined for publication on the new Sikh Formations digital platform which will be launched in early August 2025.
South Thayer Building - 202 South Thayer St, Ann Arbor, MI
Agenda
Monday, July 28th - Day 1
08.30 – 09.00 BREAKFAST (2nd Floor, Room 2022)
09.00 – 09.15 Welcome and Introductions
09.15 – 9.25 Body Work with Vik Hothi
09.25 – 10.30 Why Philosophy? What is Sikh Philosophy For?
- Opening statements: Randeep Hothi et al
11.15 – 12.30 Decolonization & the Modern Knowledge System
- Opening Statements: Arvind-Pal S. Mandair et al
12.30 – 01.15 LUNCH (3rd Floor Atrium)
13.15 – 14.30 Milieu, Everyday Life & Context
- Opening Statements: Arvind-Pal S. Mandair et al
14.30 – 15.30 Experience: Time, Self & Nam
- Opening Statements: Harjeet Grewal et al
15.35 – 16.00 Embodied Wisdom: Movement & Resilience
- Vik Hothi
16.00 – 17.00 Campus Tours
Tuesday, July 29th - Day 2
08.30 – 09.00 BREAKFAST (2nd Floor, Room 2022)
09.00 – 9.10 Body Work with Vik Hothi
09.10 – 11.50 Cosmology, Psychology, Consciousness
- Opening statements: ASM; PS, RH
Comparative Readings: Bergson: Mind-Energy Lectures
11.50 – 12.40 LUNCH (3rd Floor Atrium)
12.40 – 13.00 Walking Meditations
13.10 – 15.30 Śabad and Self-Transformation
Gurmat and Therapy in an Age of Techno-Capitalism
- Opening Statements: ASM; PS, RH
15.30 – 16.00 Campus Tours
Wednesday, July 30th - Day 3
08.30 – 09.00 BREAKFAST (2nd Floor, Room 2022)
09.00 – 9.10 Body Work with Vik Hothi
09.10 – 10.30 Life-Death, Rebirth & Karma
10.45 – 12.15 Towards a karmic paradigm of Rebirth & Self
- Opening Statements: Nate Gallant, Randeep Hothi, Arvind-Pal Mandair
Comparative Readings:
Hagglund: Spiritual Life (chapters 1 and 2)
Mandair: “Death, Deathless States & TimeConsciousness in Sikh Philosophy”
12.15 – 12.45 LUNCH (3rd Floor Atrium)
12.45 Drive to Hudson Mills Metropark
13.00 – 15.00 Vik Hothi
14.45 – 16.00 Light Qigong and Meditational Walks at Hudson Mills
*Bring walking shoes and water bottles
Thursday, July 31st - Day 4
08.30 – 09.00 BREAKFAST (2nd Floor, Room 2022)
09.00 – 9.10 Body Work with Vik Hothi
09.10 – 10.30 Sikhi and Gender: Conceptual Issues
- Opening statements:
Gurkirat Sekhon & Sukhmani K. Mandair
Reading in Canvas
10.45 – 12.00 Law & Gender
- Opening Statement: Hartej Singh Saund-Matharu
12.00 – 13.15 LUNCH (3rd Floor Atrium) & WALKS
13.30 – 15.30 Arts, Activism & Sikh Philosophy - Opening Statements:
Conner Vanderbeek & Simranpreet Anand
Reading in Canvas
Friday, August 1st - Day 5
08.30 – 09.00 BREAKFAST (2nd Floor, Room 2022)
09.00 – 9.10 Body Work with Vik Hothi
09.10 – 10.15
Sovereignty after “Pax Americana” - Session 1
- Opening Statements: Harleen Kaur
Readings:
• ”Sikhs, Sovereignty & Modern Government” (2015)
• ”The Specter and Postmemory of 1984”
12.00 – 13.00 LUNCH (3rd Floor Atrium)
13.15 – 14.30
Sovereignty after “Pax Americana” Session 2
- Opening Statements: Rajbir Singh Judge
Reading from The Prophetic Maharaja
14.45 – 16.00 Breakout groups and exercises
Saturday, August 2nd - Day 6
09.00 – 14.00 BRAINSTORMING SESSION
• Next Year’s program
• Using the Digital Platform
• Allocation of podcasts and blogs
• Monthly ‘Critical Theory’ Forum
18.00 – 20.00 DINNER (Dexter, MI, 48130)
Acknowledgements
The 2025 Summer Institute in Sikh Studies was made possible by funding from the University of Michigan’s Endowed Chair in Sikh Studies and other donors. We thank the follow for their support:
- The Tara Singh and Balwant Kaur Chattha and Gurbax Singh and Kirpal Kaur Brar Sikh Studies Professorship
- The Sikh Heritage Foundation Lecture Fund
- The Sikh Foundation of Michigan
- Sikh Studies Association of Michigan
- Chain Singh Sandhu Educational Trust
- Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Michigan
Many individuals have been involved helping to plan organize this event including:
ALC-MES Department Staff: Tricia Chiado, Abbie Buhr, Barb Binetti, Ardella Williams, and Isaac Wittenberg.
From the local community, we wish to thank in particular: Sukhpal and Amarpreet Dhillon; Arvind Singh, Sarab Neelam; and Raman Singh.