Sikh Ethics

📘 Course Title: Sikh Ethics: Principles, Practice, and Contemporary Relevance

🏫 Course Description:

This course provides an in-depth exploration of Sikh ethics, grounded in the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, the lives of the Sikh Gurus, and the historical and contemporary practice of Sikh principles. It focuses on ethical concepts such as justice, equality, seva (selfless service), and the importance of moral living. The course encourages learners to examine how these principles guide personal behavior, community relationships, and global responsibility.

🎯 Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the foundational sources of Sikh ethical teachings.
2. Analyze ethical themes within Gurbani and Sikh history.
3. Evaluate the relevance of Sikh ethics in modern social, political, and personal contexts.
4. Apply Sikh ethical principles to contemporary moral dilemmas.
5. Compare Sikh ethical thought with other major ethical traditions.

🧭 Course Structure:

Module 1: Foundations of Sikh Ethics

• The nature of ethics in Sikhism
• Divine will (Hukam), truth (Sat), and the role of conscience
• Gurbani as a source of ethical guidance

Module 2: Core Ethical Values

• Naam Japna, Kirat Karni, Vand Chakna
• Equality and justice (Ik Onkar and Sarbat da Bhala)
• Compassion, humility, and contentment

Module 3: The Gurus as Ethical Exemplars

• Ethical teachings in the lives of Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh
• Martyrdom and moral courage
• Rehat Maryada and the Khalsa code of conduct

Module 4: Sikh Ethics in Practice

• Seva and community life
• Langar as ethical egalitarianism
• Ethics in leadership and governance (Miri-Piri)

Module 5: Sikh Ethics in Contemporary Issues

• Environmental ethics
• Gender equality
• Social justice and activism
• Bioethics and modern dilemmas

Module 6: Comparative Perspectives

• Sikh ethics and other religious/moral systems
• Interfaith dialogue on ethical living

📚 Recommended Readings:

• Guru Granth Sahib (selected excerpts)
• Ethics of the Sikhs by Sher Singh
• The Sikh Moral Tradition by Dharam Singh
• Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed by Arvind-Pal S. Mandair

🎓 Target Audience:

• Undergraduate students of religious studies, ethics, or South Asian studies
• Educators and spiritual leaders
• Anyone interested in Sikh philosophy or interfaith ethics

📝 Assessment:

• Weekly reflection journals
• Case study analysis
• Final essay or project applying Sikh ethics to a real-world issue
• Group discussions and presentations

📘 Sikh Ethics: Syllabus

Sikh Ethics: Principles, Practice, and Contemporary Relevance

🧾 Course Information:

• Course Title: Sikh Ethics: Principles, Practice, and Contemporary Relevance
• Duration: 12 Weeks
• Format: 2 Lectures per week (90 minutes each) + 1 Discussion/Workshop session
• Assessment: Journals (20%), Class Participation (10%), Midterm Essay (30%), Final Project/Presentation (40%)

📅 Weekly Breakdown:

Week	Topic	Content Focus	Activities
1	Introduction to Sikh Ethics	What is ethics? Understanding Sikhism's ethical framework	Lecture, Definitions Workshop
2	Sources of Sikh Ethics	Guru Granth Sahib, Janamsakhis, Sikh Rehat Maryada	Textual analysis, Group reading
3	Divine Will & Human Agency	Hukam, Sat, Karma, and Free Will	Debate: Free Will vs. Determinism
4	Core Values I: Naam, Kirat, Vand	Meditation, honest living, sharing	Reflection journal, Langar service
5	Core Values II: Equality & Justice	Ik Onkar, Sarbat da Bhala	Case study: Anti-caste and gender equity
6	Ethical Exemplars: The Sikh Gurus	Life events of Gurus and moral lessons	Presentations on Guru case studies
7	Midterm Review & Essay	Synthesizing concepts	In-class review, peer feedback
8	Seva and Sangat	Selfless service, community, humility	Service project planning
9	Miri-Piri: Ethics in Governance	Temporal-spiritual leadership, political responsibility	Role-play: Ethical dilemmas in leadership
10	Contemporary Issues I	Environmental justice, animal rights	Discussion: EcoSikh practices
11	Contemporary Issues II	Gender, bioethics, digital ethics	Workshop: Case resolutions using Sikh ethics
12	Comparative Ethics & Final Project	Sikhism vs. major ethical systems	Final presentations