RELGST 1545 - MYSTICISM IN ASIA

Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
Mysticism, understood as a living experience of theological doctrines, constitutes an unexpected point of convergence between such different religious traditions as Hinduism and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In this course we look into how this spiritual kinship is forged from distinct practices in India and in the traditions of eastern Christianity, by examining the selected mystical writings of both religious traditions. The course is structured around three central themes: 1) God as Mystery: negative theology (Hindu and Orthodox ways of unknowing the divine). 2) God as Person: the Hindu notion of avatar and Orthodox understanding of incarnation, and 3) God as Prayer: two selected methods of contemplation (Hindu yoga and Orthodox hesychast prayer). The course is based largely on reading and discussion of primary sources (in English translation) supplemented with selected secondary sources to help enhance students' understanding of the comparative method, on the one hand, and symbolic, often enigmatic and sometimes "upside-down" language of the mystical texts, on the other.
Academic Career: Undergraduate
Course Component: Lecture
Grade Component: LG/SNC Elective Basis
Course Attributes: Asian Studies, Global Studies, Russian & East European Studies, SCI Polymathic Contexts: Global&Cross Cul GE. Req.

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