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Academic Year 2003/2004

Constructing Hinduism & Islam
RELI 297 SP

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 that of "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. 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.

MAJOR READINGS

Suhir Kakar, THE COLORS OF VIOLENCE
Richard King, ORIENTALISM AND RELIGION
Richard Martin, APPROACHES TO ISLAM IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
V.S. Naipul, AMONG THE BELIEVERS
Jawaharlal Nehru, THE DISCOVERY OF INDIA
Edward Said, ORIENTALISM
Jonathan Z. Smith, IMAGINING RELIGION
Wilfred Cantwell Smith, THE MEANING AND END OF RELIGION
Reader

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Attendance and participation, three short papers, one research paper, one learning opportunity (exam).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course fulfills a "Critical Theory" Religion Department majors requirement.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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