1/13
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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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| 1/15 |
Religion
and worldview. Discussion of P. Berger, The
Sacred Canopy,* pp. 3-28; see Vocabulary
page.*
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| 1/20 |
Critiques
of objectivity. Discussion of R. Rosaldo, Culture
and Truth,
pp. 1-21.*
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| 1/22 |
Gender
and religion. Discussion of R. Gross, Buddhism
After
Patriarchy, pp. 291-304.*
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| 1/27 |
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
|
1/29
|
Orientations:
locating the two traditions in time and space. Reading
assignment:
D. Keown, Buddhism, pp. 1-14; 70-83; 110-125; 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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2/3
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Basic
Buddhist teachings. Discussion of D. Keown, Buddhism,
pp.
29-56; 97-109.
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2/5
|
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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2/10
|
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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2/12
|
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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2/17
|
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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2/19
|
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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2/24
|
Video:
“Protestant Spirit USA.”
Background of the Mahayana movement. Discussion of D. Keown, Buddhism,
pp. 57-69; see Theravada/Mahayana
comparison page.*
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2/26
|
Video:
“Buddhism: Land of the Disappearing Buddha.”
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| 3/3 | Town meeting; no class
|
3/5
|
Discussion
of Chang, tr., A
Treasury
of Mahayana Sutras, pp. 427-440 (“On the Paramita
of Ingenuity”)*; review for midterm exam.
|
| 3/10, 3/12 | Spring recess; no class
|
3/17
|
Midterm
Examination (in class).
|
|
Modes
of Religious Transformation: Meditation & Monasticism
|
3/19
|
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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3/24
|
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. 84-96; see Daily
Routine
and excerpt from the Mangala Suttanta
page.*
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Ritual
Practice: Relic Veneration and Pilgrimage
|
3/26
|
Doing
is believing: religion and ritual. Discussion
of T. Driver, The
Magic of Ritual, pp. 12-31.*
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3/31
|
Buddhist
relic veneration. Discussion of Vacissarathera, The
Chronicle of the Thupa and The Thupavamsa, pp.
124-135.*
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4/2
|
Christian
relic veneration. Discussion of G. H. Doble, “The
Relics of Saint Petroc.”*
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4/7
|
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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4/9
|
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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4/14
|
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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4/16
|
Video:
"Catholicism: Rome, Leeds, and the Desert."
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Women’s
Religious Experience
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4/21
|
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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4/23
|
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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4/28
|
Conclusions. Course
assessment and outside reflection papers due in class.
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5/4
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Take-home
final exam due; 5 p.m. at my office (481 Main Street, Rm.
205).
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