4000

Religion, arguably the most important element of culture, is often 'practiced," "enacted," or "performed" through physical means. This course will examine the role of the body in a number of traditions and contexts -- from how one dresses or gestures -- to less visible modes such as celibacy or ecstatic trance. The goal of this course is to consider the manifest ways in which the body is employed in religious traditions as well as look at individual traditions and case studies for specific examples of embodied religious practice. The first half of the course will look at broader themes of religion and the body (ritual, sexuality, performance, clothing, so forth). The second half of the course will focus on individual traditions or case studies, and a general introduction to each religion will be presented at the start of those weeks.

Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and shares a rich history with the other Abrahamic faiths of the Middle East. Yet, it is frequently exotified or vilified, especially as it comes in conflict with "Western" culture -- despite the numerous contributions Islam has made to civilization, science, and art. This course will provide an introduction to Islam's history, beliefs, and practices, as well as examine the philosophy and literature of the tradition. We will be looking at imperialism, Orientalism, globalization, feminism, mysticism, and modernity as the tradition evolves and spreads into the global religion it is today.

Liberation theology explores the relation between Christian theology and social justice. It is studying theology from the perspective of the oppressed and the disadvantaged. In this course we will look at various recent theologies of liberation: Latin American, Black, Feminist, and Queer.

Buddhism has traditionally been viewed by many as the premier example of a "world renouncing" religion because of its monastic vows of voluntary poverty and charity. However, a critical examination of early Buddhist textual and archaeological evidence seems to reveal a much more sympathetic view towards the world of business and finance in ancient South Asia. We assess whether or not a liberal liberation theology has any impact on premodern market liberality. Class

This course will look at the mystical side of religion, where the ecstatic and magical aspects are central to religious practice. From dance, to spirit possession, to euphoric trance, mysticism taps into the more embodied and esoteric sects of many world religions and native traditions. This course will be reading religious studies theorists in the area of ecstatic religion, as well as primary texts found in Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and other spiritual traditions.

This course engages directly with the things Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain ascetics purportedly avoid. Through primary sources, students will have the opportunity to see a worldly life as not undisciplined at all. Rather, being in the world comes with its own ethical and aesthetic disciplines. Texts that prescribe these worldly ways fastidiously categorize, organize, and evaluate in order to enjoy the world properly. In fact, they are often composed by religious authorities who ostensible are supposed to reject such ways of being. As such, we will see that in Classical South Asia there are proper and improper ways to live a good life and have a good time.

This course will look the intersection of religion with a range of material culture, art, and architecture. From cathedrals in Europe to Vodun altars in Haiti, we will discuss various elements of divine representation, historical importance, ritual function, and symbolism of some of the world’s most interesting and striking works and spaces. This course will provide brief overviews of religious traditions (e.g. Islam, Hinduism, Shinto, Buddhism, and so forth) as we engage those regions.

A comparative survey of major world religions through study of their scriptures and basic writings.

Prior approval of department chairperson is required. Investigation of a topic of special interest, with reports to the instructor.