Comparative Religion & Culture

Comparison: Theory and Method
(4 credits)
This required course is a philosophical and practical introduction to comparative and cross-cultural study in a globalizing world. Students are introduced to theoretical and practical “tools” with which to begin learning about others’ – and their own – ways of making sense of the world. Yet, comparison is not a neutral act. The person who compares necessarily reduces the reality of the things compared, but also adds to their reality with the product of that comparison. What are we looking for when we compare? How might we recognize “it”? Students develop answers to these questions through seminar discussion of readings drawn from such fields as neuroscience, cultural anthropology, philosophy of religion, and social criticism. In addition, students are introduced to basic skills in field research design. Learning is documented through short response papers to readings, presentation and critique of field research, and a final essay identifying and extending key insights from the semester.

Religions and Modernity in Taiwan
(4 credits)
This required course is an introduction to religion in the Republic of China (principally Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and popular religion). Special attention is given to the experience of practitioners as influencing and influenced by modernity and globalization. Examples include the use of Confucian ritual in civil religion, the internationalization of Buddhist monastic and lay organizations, efforts to revive Daoist institutions, and the regular appearance of new religious movements.

Culture and Society of Taiwan
(4 credits)
This required course is an introduction to the Republic of China and its peoples. Topics considered include the idea of Chinese identity in domestic and international politics; the self and its relations to others; and cultural tradition and innovation.

Religions and Modernity in Thailand
(4 credits)
This required course is an introduction to religions in Thailand, mainly Theravada Buddhism and popular animism. Special attention is given to the experience of practitioners as influencing and influenced by modernity and globalization. Examples include the engagement of the sangha in health and environmental issues, vipassana as spiritual and touristic practice, and the coexistence of spirit worship, Buddhist devotion, and consumerism.

Comparison: Practice and Critique
(4 credits)
This spring-semester required course is a companion to “Comparison: Theory and Method”. How can we track the process of comparing, and what might we do to make our comparisons better, in a variety of senses? This seminar course helps students extend the ethnographic and philosophic skills learned in “Comparison: Theory and Method”, and to begin constructing their own account of comparative/ cross-cultural understanding. Students may expect to grow in their ability to: 1) analyze arguments and situations to identify their salient features, 2) synthesize their prior knowledge and skills to creatively engage new arguments and situations, and 3) evaluate their learning in a comparative perspective, critically identifying the motives, values, and interests that distinctively enable and/or limit their vision of things.

Religions and Modernity in India
(4 credits)
This required course is an introduction to religions in India, especially Hinduisms, Islam, and Dalit religions. Special attention is given to the experience of practitioners as influencing and influenced by modernity and globalization. Examples include India’s distinctive experiment in multi-religious “secularism,” and the globalization of bhakti movements.

History and Society of India
(4 credits)
This required course is an introduction to the Republic of India and its peoples. Topics considered will include arguments over Indian identity in domestic and international politics; the self and its relations to others; cultural tradition and innovation.

Religions and Modernity in Turkey
(4 credits)
This required course is an introduction to religions in Turkey, principally Sunni Islam and Alevism. Special attention is given to the experience of practitioners as influencing and influenced by modernity and globalization. Examples include the role(s) of women in the modern Turkish Republic, Islamism and secularism, and Turkish candidacy for membership in the European Union.

Comparative Religion and Culture
Rebekah Hanousek-Monge, Associate Director of Admission
Phone: (718) 780-4324
Email: fw@liu.edu
Matt Wilson, Field Administrator
E-mail: matthewtaylorwilson@gmail.com