An interdisciplinary investigation into the changing nature of traditional religions in the digital age. This course examines ways in which religion is being shaped by digital culture, including the widespread social acceptance of new technologies and scientific ideals. The digital is changing human beings—we are adapting to new technologies more so than technologies adapting to […]
Offers a cross-cultural survey of the role of music in mythology and ritual focusing on exoteric form and esoteric meaning. Explores archetypes (e.g. deities, birds, angels, shamans, bards), mythologies, liturgies, and artistic traditions from the perspectives of history, social context,symbolism and spirituality. Relationships between traditions, relevance to contemporary culture, and the significance of music fulfilling […]
Introduces sociological approaches to religion in a contemporary social and global cultural context. Traces the changes from the sociological classics to contemporary theories of religion and secularism that reflect the intertwined nature of these categories as well as their contested character in public and political realms around the world. RELIGIOUS TRADITION(S) COVERED: Multiple Cross-listed as […]
This course examines not only how Japanese religious/philosophical traditions were utilized for practical concerns by Japanese immigrants, but also how they came to inform the identity of Japanese Canadians in the context of a broader understanding of the role religion has played in the East. Although religious identity did not loom strongly in the minds […]
This course investigates the origins, development, significance, and social functions of personified evil--Satan and his demons--in early Judaism and in the history of Christianity. We will consider some of the most important literary and visual depictions of this figure (and his story) from the ancient world through the middle ages to our own day. RELIGIOUS […]
Explores the key themes, critical questions, and entrenched conflicts about the place of religion during the long and varied history of American civic and cultural life. It analyzes Native-Newcomer religious tensions, disestablishment, uniquely American religions, and the intersections of religion with war, nationalism, immigration, race, science, expansion, urbanization, gender, counterculture, and new media. RELIGIOUS TRADITION(S) […]
This interdisciplinary course examines historical and contemporary manifestations of Islamophobia. We explore both the ways those understood as Muslim have been gendered and how Islamophobia produces particularly gendered anti-Muslim racism. Each class will consist of four interrelated components: student reading presentations, lectures, audio visual material and group discussions. The lectures will address the key considerations […]
This course examines debates amongst anthropologists about the study of Islam and Muslim societies, and Muslim expressions of Islam according to anthropological themes including the body, space, ritual, knowledge, agency and representation. Students design and undertake a field-based research project. RELIGIOUS TRADITION(S) COVERED: Islam Cross-listed as AP/ANTH 3570 6.00.
The Bible offers archetypal figures for Western art, music and film as well as literature. This course will analyze women in the New Testament with a focus on sexuality, seduction, murder and mayhem. From the figure of Eve in the Hebrew Bible and her counterpart Lilith through New Testament figures such as Mary Magdalene and […]
The Bible offers archetypal figures for Western art, music and film as well as literature. This course will analyze women in the Hebrew Bible with a focus on sexuality, seduction, murder and mayhem. Beginning with Eve and her counterpart Lilith the Bible offers portraits of women who are inquisitive, dangerous and powerful while also demonstrating […]