RELG 240 - Religious Objects in East Asia

Semester Offered: Second Semester
Full Course
Credits: 4 credits
Attribute: 4HU, CD

This course examines East Asian religions through case studies of material objects. In the histories of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Shinto, physical things have participated in the making of religious identities by serving ceremonial and practical purposes, giving shape to doctrine, and mediating exchanges between religious communities and society. These diverse roles will be assessed in the study of a wide range of objects, including statues, silk, aromatics, scrolls, hair, robes, portraits, and relics. We seek to enliven textual accounts with perspectives from material culture and the senses, and along the way engage issues of materiality, representation, and agency.

Enrollment Limit: 35
Instructor: A. Macomber

Cross List Information: EAST 154