The Faculty of Peace Studies, Spirituality and Culture is conducts distance and supported learning courses in Certificate in Hindu Studies, Certificate in Bhagavad Gita Studies and Certificate in Religious Educare. Please click the below tabs for course details.

• Certificate in Hindu Studies
• Certificate in Bhagavad Gita Studies
• Certificate in Religious Educare

Certificate in Hindu Studies

Graduation ceremony for the successful candidates of the Hindu Studies Course

1. Introduction

The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa conducts distance and supported learning courses in the Spiritual Heritage and Culture of India. The first of these courses, the Certificate in Hindu Studies, has been well received by our students. This course provides a general overview of Hinduism, with its various components such as the Hindu scriptures, philosophies, ethics, festivals, deities, symbolism, etc.

This programme was especially created to equip students with an understanding of the basics of the Hindu Religion. In addition, the programme will develop in students key competencies required for acquiring a sound knowledge of the subject, keeping in view that this is an introductory course, which could lead to other courses in this field of study.

2. Programme outline

1. The minimum duration of the programme is one year, which will be divided into two semesters.
2. The programme commences in March each year and ends in February the following year.
3. A written examination for the first semester is held in August each year and for the second semester, in February of the following year. At the end of each semester students sit for a three hour examination.
4. Students will also be assessed through assignments, a percentage of which will contribute towards the final mark for the course.
5. Other details regarding the programme requirements are available on request.

3. Entrance requirements

1. Matric (Senior Certificate) (10 + 2)
2. Age exemption may be granted to persons over 23 years of age.
3. Admission may be granted based on recognition of prior learning (RPL).

4. Fee Structure

1. The cost of study for the year, which has been highly subsidised by the Centre, is R350.00.
2. The above cost includes all textbooks, postage costs and examination fees.
3. The full fee is payable upon registration.

5. Registration

1. Registration for the new academic year opens annually on 1 November of the preceding year.
2. Registration is limited to 120 students on a first come first served basis and is only finalised upon payment of the full registration fee and submission of all the required documents.
3. All study material is despatched to students by not later than 28 February.

6. Examination Centres

1. Examinations are conducted at the following Centres provided that there are at least 10 students registered at that Centre: Durban (Phoenix, Asherville and Chatsworth), Tongaat, Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Glencoe, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg (Lenasia) and Cape Town.
2. Should there be more than 10 students at any other venue, consideration will be given to setting up an Examination Centre there.
3. Details of the exact location of the Examination Centres are sent to all registered students .

7. Certificate Presentaion

1. A Certificate Presentation Ceremony is held annually in March and April of each year in Durban and Ladysmith respectively.
2. Successful students will be required to pay a Certificate presentation fee of R25.00 prior to the Certificate presentation ceremony.
3. Students are responsible for obtaining (at their own cost) undergraduate gowns from a Company specifically contracted to the Centre at a substantially reduced cost.

8. Contact with Course Co-ordinators

An Administration Clerk, appointed to handle all queries in connection with the programme will take telephone calls on weekdays from 8.00am to 12.30pm once the programme commences. This excludes public holidays and any pre-stipulated recess periods which will be announced.

9. Acreditation

Arrangements are being made to get accreditation from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University, which is a deemed university under UGC Act. This universtiy presently is operated from Belur Math, West Bengal, India.

Certificate in Bhagavad Gita Studies

The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa offers the Certificate in Bhagavad Gita Studies course through distance learning.

This course is designed to further enhance the understanding the basics of the Hindu Religion and is offered to students who have successfully completed the basic Certificate in Hindu Studies course offered by the Centre. The Bhagavad Gita embodies the perennial message of the Lord to all humankind, regardless of caste, colour or nationality. Throughout the chapters, Lord Krishna teaches the higher truth of philosophy and religion to Arjuna. Practically the whole of the Vedanta philosophy is included in the Bhagavad Gita.

The course is largely based on the Centre's issue of the Bhagavad Gita, with the introduction and chapter summaries by Sri Swami Nihsreyasananda. The textbook, 'All about Gita' by Swami Harshananda as well as other text and additional printed material on the course is also used. The total cost of the course is R350.00 which is highly subsidised by the Centre and includes all study material, postage and examination fees.

The programme is of one-year duration with two assignments and one three-hour written examination in each of the two semesters. The cost of the course is highly subsidized by the Centre.

Certificate in Religious Educare

The Faculty of Peace Studies, Spirituality and Culture will be offering the Certificate in Religious Educare course in the 2010 Academic year. The course, which will be offered through distance learning, is designed primarily for those who are currently teaching or who are interested in teaching the 'Hinduism for Children' classes run by the Centre. The aim of the programme is to provide guidance to teachers in the use of educationally sound principles and practices, from a Hindu perspective, in teaching children to use our scriptures as a guide to inculcate moral and spiritual values, leading to sound character and personality development in them.

The course is of one year duration, divided into two semesters and consists of the following modules:

First Semester:

Early Childhood Development

Psychology - with emphasis on Hindu Psychology

Second Semester:

Human Development

The Art and Science of Teaching

The pre-requisite for admission to this course is the Certificate in Hindu Studies which is offered by the Centre. Students will be assessed through assignments and a written examination in each semester i.e. in August 2010 and February 2011.

The total cost of the programme, which is highly subsidised by the Centre, is R350.00, which includes all study material, postage and exam fees. Registration opened on 1 December 2009, and was limited to 30 students on a first-come-first-served basis. All seats were taken up and registration is now closed.

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