| Credits | 1 |
| Restrictions | Instr perm req during Drop/Add |
| Pre-Requisites | |
| Co-Requisites | |
| Core Area | |
| Area of Inquiry | Human Thought and Expression |
| Liberal Arts Practices | Confront Collective Challenges The Process of Writing |
Fall 2023 Focus:
What does it mean to be a Muslim or a Hindu? How do these religious identities intersect with being a nationalist, a communist, or a capitalist in our world today? Coursework positions Indonesia, the world's 4th most populous country, as a valuable starting point to answer these important questions. Students begin with an in-depth introduction to Islam and Hinduism, paying particular attention to how Indonesians practice these two religions. Next, students examine a series of Muslim and Hindu encounters/collisions with Western colonialism. Students conclude by studying how both communism and capitalism have reshaped Islam and Hinduism in contemporary Indonesia in surprising ways. This course requires no previous knowledge of Islam, Hinduism, or Indonesia.
Catalog Description:
How should we understand the relationship between religious texts and lived experiences? Why do religious differences sometimes harden and sometimes become porous depending on the context? Focusing on a single place and its people can help us break down traditional frameworks for understanding religion and reveals instead a much more dynamic image of religious diversity. Students are introduced to at least three major religions in a particular Asian region. In the process, it problematizes the traditional portrait of distinct and timeless world religions by taking a deeper look at the lived experiences of religious practitioners in one designated Asian society. The course utilizes a kaleidoscopic and multidisciplinary approach to the study of religion, allowing students to identify and appreciate the complex and sometimes unexpected ways in which religious practitioners live in diverse societies.