Washington University in St. Louis - Religious Studies Program

Office: Busch Hall Room 105

Office Hours:

E-mail: cadcock@artsci.wustl.edu

Phone number: (314) 935-9281

Mailing Address:
     Washington University in St. Louis
     Campus Box 1062, One Brookings Drive
     St. Louis, MO 63130

Recent Research: “Modern Religion and Political Culture: The Arya Samaj in North India, 1877-1927”

Courses:
South Asian Traditions In Practice: Ritual, Spectacle, Self: What is ritual, what do rituals mean, how do rituals work? In this course we will explore different perspectives on how ritual practice can be effective: How do ritual performances express or reconcile core cultural values? How do forms of worship produce, reinforce, or alter relationships of kinship, hierarchy or power? How are regimens of practice employed for making the self? We will explore these questions through detailed study of forms of practice in Hindu, Islamic, Jain, and other South Asian traditions: public processions; dramatic performance; domestic rites; meditation and worship; diet and bodily discipline. Course aims: to deepen our understandings of religion, society, and politics in general, and of South Asian culture and history in particular. No prerequisites, prior coursework in L23 250F The Hindu Traditions recommended. 3 units. Same as L22 History 3920, L97 IAS 3920.

The Hindu Traditions: An introduction to Hindu practice and thought, this course explores broadly the variety of forms, practices, and philosophies that have been developing from the time of the Vedas (ca. 1500 B. C. E.) up to the present day popular Hinduism practiced in both urban and rural India. The course pays special attention to the relation between Hindu religion and mythology and the wider cultural, social, and political contexts in which it has arisen and to which it has given shape; to questions of Hindu identity in India and America; and to relations between the Hindu majority of India and minority traditions. 3 units. Same as L06 ANECC 250.



Religious Studies Campus Box 1065 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899 (314) 935-8677		Catherine Adcock Assistant Professors of South Asia and Religious Studies

	Office: Busch Hall Room 105 Office Hours: E-mail: cadcock@artsci.wustl.edu Phone number: (314) 935-9281 Mailing Address: Washington University in St. Louis Campus Box 1062, One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130 Recent Research: “Modern Religion and Political Culture: The Arya Samaj in North India, 1877-1927” Courses: South Asian Traditions In Practice: Ritual, Spectacle, Self: What is ritual, what do rituals mean, how do rituals work? In this course we will explore different perspectives on how ritual practice can be effective: How do ritual performances express or reconcile core cultural values? How do forms of worship produce, reinforce, or alter relationships of kinship, hierarchy or power? How are regimens of practice employed for making the self? We will explore these questions through detailed study of forms of practice in Hindu, Islamic, Jain, and other South Asian traditions: public processions; dramatic performance; domestic rites; meditation and worship; diet and bodily discipline. Course aims: to deepen our understandings of religion, society, and politics in general, and of South Asian culture and history in particular. No prerequisites, prior coursework in L23 250F The Hindu Traditions recommended. 3 units. Same as L22 History 3920, L97 IAS 3920. The Hindu Traditions: An introduction to Hindu practice and thought, this course explores broadly the variety of forms, practices, and philosophies that have been developing from the time of the Vedas (ca. 1500 B. C. E.) up to the present day popular Hinduism practiced in both urban and rural India. The course pays special attention to the relation between Hindu religion and mythology and the wider cultural, social, and political contexts in which it has arisen and to which it has given shape; to questions of Hindu identity in India and America; and to relations between the Hindu majority of India and minority traditions. 3 units. Same as L06 ANECC 250.