Re St 392 - South Asian Traditions in Practice: Ritual, Spectacle, Self

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

What is ritual, what do rituals mean, how do rituals work? In this course we explore different perspectives on how ritual practice can be effective: How do ritual performances express or reconcile core cultural values? How do forms of worship produce, reinforce, or alter relationships of kinship, hierarchy, or power? How are regimens of practice employed for making the self? We explore these questions through detailed study of forms of practice in Hindu, Islamic, Jain, and other South Asian traditions: public processions; dramatic performance; domestic rites; meditation and worship; diet and bodily discipline. Course aims are to deepen our understandings of religion, society, and politics in general, and of South Asian culture and history in particular. No prerequisites; prior course work in Re St 203 or Re St 3670 recommended.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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