Constructing Hinduism and Islam
RELI 310
Spring 2019 not offered
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| Course Cluster: Christianity Studies |
What is Hinduism? What is not? Is Islam a religion or a way of life? What is the difference? The meanings of few words are as greatly contested as is "religion." For Western (primarily Christian) observers, Hinduism and Islam have acted as foils for their self-perceptions of faith, practice, modernity, and culture. More significantly, Western scholars of religion, in the course of their studies, have influenced the self-understanding of those who identify themselves as Hindu and Muslim while, undeterred, many Hindus and Muslims have advocated their own practices, beliefs, and sensibilities. The concept of religion continues to play a significant role in both nation formation and international affairs. Using theory critiquing the category of religion, we will explore the application of this term by Westerners in South Asia and the Middle East and investigate the continuing debate regarding the identities of these religions both by those within and outside these traditions. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (HIST-MN)(RELI) |
Major Readings:
M. K. Gandhi, MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH (0807059099)
Sudhir Kakar, THE COLORS OF VIOLENCE (0226422852)
Edward Said, ORIENTALISM (039474067TX)
Wilfred Cantwell Smith, THE MEANING AND END OF RELIGION (0800624750)
Peter van der Veer, IMPERIAL ENCOUNTERS (069107478X)
Tomoko Masuzawa, THE INVENTION OF WORLD RELIGIONS (0226509893)
Saba Mahmood, POLITICS OF PIETY
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three short papers and one research paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Attendance and participation are mandatory.
This course fulfills the "Method & Theory" OR "Historical Traditions" requirement for Religion Department majors.
This course also counts toward the "Historical Inquiry" requirement for the certificate in South Asia Studies. |
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