RELS 205 Holy Sh*t!: Engaging the Materiality of Religion
What makes a thing, a place or a person sacred? This course focuses on the tangible elements of religion: the materials, objects, spaces, art, blood and guts that inspire belief and community. We will explore the way "things" interact with humans in their processes of creation, interpretation and the (re)definition of the religious, the sacred, the natural and supernatural, the holy, the profane, the secular, the immaterial, and transcendent, grounding our exploration in case studies. Our work will raise our awareness of the significance of materiality in religion and raise questions of authenticity, replication, and commodification.
Core Requirements Met
- Global Connections
- Pre-1800