9/2
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Introductions
and class discussion; what is religion? See religion definitions
page.*
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Basic
Approaches to the Study of Religion
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9/4
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Religion
and worldview. Discussion of P. Berger, The Sacred Canopy,*
pp. 3-28; see Vocabulary page.*
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9/9
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Critiques
of objectivity. Discussion of R. Rosaldo, Culture and Truth,
pp. 1-21.*
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9/11
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Gender
and religion. Discussion of R. Gross, Buddhism After
Patriarchy, pp. 291-304.*
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9/16
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Myth
and worldview. Discussion of W. Doniger, “The Theological
Uses of Double Vision,” pp. 16, 18-20, 22*; comparison of some mythic worldviews:
Genesis ch. 2-3* (Hebraic), I Corinthians, ch. 15* (Christian), Rig Veda
10.90* (Vedic), the Kevaddha Sutta* (Buddhist); see Background
and Buddhist
Cosmology pages.*
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Patterns
of Belief
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9/18
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Orientations:
locating the two traditions in time and space. Reading assignment:
D. Keown, Buddhism, pp. 1-13; 69-82; 108-123; and S. Frankiel, Christianity,
pp. 6-56 (do not worry about names and dates; read for a general sense of
geographical spread and historical development); see Chronology
page.*
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9/23
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Basic
Buddhist teachings. Discussion of D. Keown, Buddhism, pp.
28-55; 96-107.
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9/25
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Central
patterns of Christian belief and practice. Discussion of S. Frankiel,
Christianity, pp. 57-89 and P. Fredriksen, From Jesus
to Christ, pp. 70-93.*
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9/30
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Quiz
on Buddhist terms; Video: “Buddhism: Footprint of the Buddha.”
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Images
of the Founder: The Buddha and the Christ
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10/2
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Discussion
of the Gospel
of Matthew, chs. 1-10, 25-28*; see Titles page.*
Background reading: P. Fredriksen, From Jesus to
Christ, pp. 36-43.*
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10/7
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Discussion
of The Story
of Gotama Buddha: Jataka-nidana, tr. by N. A. Jayawickrama, pp.
63-110.* Background reading: D. Keown, Buddhism,
pp. 14-27.
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Renewal
and Reform: Return to the Sources
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10/9
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Protestant
Reformation. Discussion of M. Luther, “The Freedom of
a Christian,” pp.52-69; 83-85.*
Background reading: R. W. Scribner, The German Reformation,
pp. 1-24.*
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10/14
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Video:
“Protestant Spirit USA.”
Background of the Mahayana movement. Discussion of D. Keown, Buddhism,
pp. 56-68; see Theravada/Mahayana
comparison page.*
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10/16
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Video:
“Buddhism: Land of the Disappearing Buddha.”
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10/21
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Discussion
of Chang, tr., A Treasury
of Mahayana Sutras, pp. 427-440 (“On the Paramita of Ingenuity”)*;
review for midterm exam.
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10/23
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Midterm
Examination (in class).
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Modes
of Religious Transformation: Meditation & Monasticism
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10/28
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Mental
and communal discipline. Discussion of The Rule of St. Benedict,
pp. 15-96; see Medieval Monastery
and Seven Times
a Day pages.*
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10/30
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Discussion
of selections from the Book of the
Discipline, tr. I. B. Horner, vol. 5, pp. 204-207*; selection from
the Book
of the Kindred Sayings, tr. by C. Rhys Davids, v. 2, pp. 133-135*;
and excerpts from “The Foundations
of Mindfulness,” tr. by Nyanasatta Thera.* Background reading:
D. Keown, Buddhism, pp. 83-95; see Daily Routine and excerpt from
the Mangala Suttanta page.*
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Ritual
Practice: Relic Veneration and Pilgrimage
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11/4
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Doing
is believing: religion and ritual. Discussion of T. Driver,
The
Magic of Ritual, pp. 12-31.*
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11/6
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Buddhist
relic veneration. Discussion of Vacissarathera, The Chronicle
of the Thupa and The Thupavamsa, pp. 124-135.*
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11/11
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Christian
relic veneration. Discussion of G. H. Doble, “The Relics of Saint
Petroc.”*
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11/13
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Pilgrimage—the
journey outward and the journey within. R. Lee, “The Jerusalem
Syndrome.* See also key categories from the Turners’ Image and Pilgrimage
in Christian Culture.*
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11/18
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Discussion
of “The Wanderings
of Felix Fabri” in The Library of the Palestine Pilgrims' Text Society,
pp. 279-286; 340-346; 360-363; 382-386.* Background reading:
S. Frankiel, Christianity, pp. 90-103.
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11/20
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Discussion
of Mahanama, The Mahavamsa
in Mahavamsa: The Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, tr. by Ananda W. P.
Guruge, pp. 491-496* and Barbara Gunn, “To Be a Pilgrim"*;
see Perils
on the Peak page.*
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11/25
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Video:
"Catholicism: Rome, Leeds, and the Desert."
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11/27
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Thanksgiving
break; no class.
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Women’s
Religious Experience
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12/2
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Discussion
of Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias,
pp. 59-61,* and her Symphonia,
pp. 115, 117, 121, 123, 129, 131, 135.* Background reading: B. Newman,
“Hildegard
of Bingen: Visions and Validation.”*
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12/4
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Discussion
of selections from The Elders'
Verses II (Therigatha), K. Norman, trans., pp. 41-51* and
Therigatha
71 (Subha's verses)*; see Revival of Renunciation
page.* Background reading: R. Gross, Buddhism After
Patriarchy, pp. 29-54.*
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12/9
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Conclusions.
Course assessment and outside reflection papers due in class.
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12/15
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Take-home
final exam due; 5 p.m. at my office (481 Main Street, Rm. 205).
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