Sikhism and Technology

📘 Course Title: Sikhism and Technology

Course Title: Sikhism and Technology

course code: REL3930-ST (ST stands for Sikhism and Technology)

Course Duration: 8-10 Weeks

Level: Intermediate

Target Audience: University students, religious scholars, technologists, and curious learners


Course Objectives

  • Understand foundational Sikh teachings and their relevance in a digital world.
  • Explore how Sikh ethics can inform the development and use of technology.
  • Analyze modern technological challenges through Sikh spiritual and moral lenses.
  • Encourage responsible innovation and digital Seva in line with Sikh values.


🧩 Assessment:

  • Weekly reflections or journal entries.
  • Midterm essay or group presentation.
  • Final creative or research project.


📦 Resources:

  • Gurbani passages with interpretations.
  • Articles on digital ethics and Sikh humanitarian projects.
  • Tools: Sikh mobile apps, virtual Gurdwaras, AI tools for learning.


Week-by-Week Syllabus & Lesson Plans

Week 1: Introduction to Sikhism and Technology

Topics:

  • Core Sikh beliefs: Ik Onkar, Guru Granth Sahib, Seva, Simran
  • What is technology? Types and evolution
  • Overview of course goals and expectations

Activities:

  • Class discussion: Technology as a tool vs. a value system
  • Reflection journal prompt: "How does my faith or philosophy influence my tech use?"

Readings/Resources:

  • Excerpts from Guru Granth Sahib on Naam and Seva
  • Brief history of major technological milestones
  • Video: "What is Technology?" (CrashCourse)

Week 2: Digital Life through the Lens of Sikh Values

Topics:

  • Naam Japna, Kirat Karni, Vand Chakna in digital settings
  • Simran and mindfulness in the information age

Activities:

  • Group work: Develop a "Digital Rehit Maryada" (code of conduct)
  • Guided virtual Simran session

Readings/Resources:

  • Interpretations of Gurbani on discipline and remembrance
  • Articles on digital wellbeing (e.g., Center for Humane Technology)
  • App: "Sikh World" for guided Simran

Week 3: Sikh Ethics and the Moral Landscape of Technology

Topics:

  • Gurmat ethics
  • Data privacy, surveillance, and algorithmic bias

Activities:

  • Case study analysis: AI and fairness, Sikh responses to injustice
  • Debate: "Should AI be designed with spiritual values?"

Readings/Resources:

  • Selected essays on Sikh morality (e.g., Bhai Gurdas Vaaran)
  • Research on AI ethics (e.g., Partnership on AI, Stanford HAI)

Week 4: Seva in the Digital Age

Topics:

  • Digital Seva: Volunteering online, educational outreach
  • Examples: Khalsa Aid, SikhNet, Basics of Sikhi

Activities:

  • Interview a digital Seva volunteer or group
  • Plan a class digital Seva project

Readings/Resources:

  • Case studies of digital Seva
  • Videos from Sikh humanitarian groups
  • Websites: khalsaaid.org, basicsikhi.com

Week 5: Technology and Sikh Religious Practice

Topics:

  • Gurbani apps, Nitnem tools, digital Gurdwaras
  • Online Sangat and global community building

Activities:

  • App review: Students try 2 Sikhism apps and write reflections
  • Virtual tour of Harmandir Sahib or a Sikh museum

Readings/Resources:

  • Reviews of Sikh tech tools
  • Audio-visual media from Sikh organizations
  • Apps: "Gurbani Media Center," "iSearchGurbani"

Week 6: Preserving Sikh Heritage through Technology

Topics:

  • Digitization of scriptures and manuscripts
  • AI and AR in cultural preservation

Activities:

  • Research a heritage digitization project (e.g., Panjab Digital Library)
  • Create a concept for an app/museum feature

Readings/Resources:

  • Articles on digital archiving
  • VR/AR case studies in cultural work
  • Panjab Digital Library (www.panjabdigilib.org)

Week 7: Challenges of the Digital World

Topics:

  • Misinformation, online addiction, cyberbullying
  • Ego, attachment, and distraction in Gurbani

Activities:

  • Journal: "Which of the five thieves do I see most in digital life?"
  • Design a digital detox challenge with Sikh elements

Readings/Resources:

  • Gurbani on Maya, Haumai (ego)
  • Psychology and digital behavior studies
  • Articles: "Digital Minimalism" by Cal Newport

Week 8: Sikh Futurism and Innovation

Topics:

  • Imagining the future through Sikh ethics
  • Sikh entrepreneurship and socially conscious tech

Activities:

  • Student panels on emerging tech (e.g., AI, biotech)
  • Innovation challenge: Create a Sikh-inspired tech solution

Readings/Resources:

  • Profiles of Sikh entrepreneurs (e.g., founders of Kalgidhar Trust, Seva Food Bank)
  • Articles on ethics-driven innovation (e.g., MIT Tech Review)

Week 9: Final Projects

Topics:

  • Presentations of student research or creative work
  • Peer feedback sessions

Activities:

  • Each student presents one project: an app prototype, research paper, media piece, or community initiative

Readings/Resources:

  • Open (based on student project themes)
  • Optional rubric for evaluating peer projects

Week 10: Reflection and Guest Engagement (Optional)

Topics:

  • Insights from Sikh technologists, scholars
  • Class reflections and learning synthesis

Activities:

  • Guest speaker Q&A (e.g., Sikh CEOs, IT professionals, educators)
  • Group discussion: "Where do we go from here?"

Readings/Resources:

  • Open
  • Video: Interviews with Sikh professionals in tech

Assessment:

  • Weekly journal/reflection (20%)
  • Participation in discussions and projects (20%)
  • Midterm group case study/presentation (20%)
  • Final project (40%)

Core Tools & Platforms:

  • SikhNet, Gurbani Media Center, KhalsaAid, Basics of Sikhi
  • Tools: Padlet, Google Docs, Zoom, Canva, Figma, Kahoot
  • Apps: Sikh World, iSearchGurbani, Nitnem Audio
  • Digital libraries: Panjab Digital Library, Sikh Encyclopedia