RELG 140 - Biographies of the Holy

FC ARHU CD

4 credits
In this introductory course, we will consider in a theoretically informed way some of the issues that arise when thinking about religious ethics comparatively. The course starts by setting up two theoretical poles in the study of religion: the transcendent (Weberian) and immanent (Durkheimian) frames. We’ll then read biographies of the “holy,” pointing out what can be seen via the transcendent and immanent frames together. Biographies we will consider include: exemplary Confucian women from the 1st century BCE; Buddhist nuns from the 6th century AD; and a 19th century biography given by Henry David Thoreau of Captain John Brown.

This course is appropriate for new students.