PPR482: Contemporary Issues in South Asian Religions

Objectives

What is the relationship between religion and politics in South Asia? What are some of the main debates and controversies between different religious groups in contemporary South Asia? How have traditional religious practices, doctrines, and institutions responded to modern political, cultural, and international trends? This course will explore these and related questions by examining a number of contemporary issues concerning South Asian religions. We will begin with the colonial period as we explore the construction of modern religious identities and the role of modern religious identities in the independence struggles across the Subcontinent. Particular key issues we will focus on are: the rise of Hindu nationalism in India, Islamic radicalism in Pakistan, the relationship between Buddhism and the state in post-independence Sri Lanka. We will also explore social issues related to South Asian religions, such as: caste, the proliferation of yoga, the intersection of religion and gender in a South Asian context.

Select Bibliography

Alter, Joseph (2000) Gandhi's Body: Sex, Diet, and the Politics of Nationalism. U Penn.

Bloch, Esther; Keppens, Marianne; and Hegde, Rajaram (2010) Rethinking Religion in India: The Colonial Construction of Hinduism. Routledge.

Doron, Assa and Broom, Alex (2010) Health, Culture and Religion in South Asia: Critical Perspectives. Routledge.

Gosling, David (2001) Religion and Ecology in India and South East Asia. Routledge.

Hiltebeitel, Alf and Erndl, Kathleen (2000) Is the Goddess a Feminist? The Politics of South Asian Goddesses. New York University Press.

Hinnells, John and King, Richard (2007) Religion and Violence in South Asia. Routledge.

Mittal, Sushil and Thursby, Gene (2008) Studying Hinduism: Key Concepts and Methods. Routledge.

Riaz, Ali (2010) Religion and Politics in South Asia

«Back

Save this page: Del.icio.us Digg It Reddit Facebook Stumble It!