Specifically, this seminar considers what leading authors have meant by the term faith and whether the notion communicated by this term might represent a generic category for understanding human religious history and our religiously plural world today. Consequently, the starting point for consideration is Christian, and an attempt is made to see whether a sense of faith might be extrapolated to indicate a core dimension of religiousness found in the major religious traditions of the world. Students are expected to have completed some study of at least two religious traditions, normally determined by successfully completing at least two courses offered in the department, each dealing with a different religious tradition or heritage, prior to enrolling in the seminar. The course begins with readings and discussions on culture, power and the everyday lives of men and women in pre-modern Southeast Asia and proceeds with an examination of Southeast Asian experiences of colonialism, agrarian change and revolution. No first-year students are admitted.
Tutorials are possible in Sanskrit, Pali and Sinhala.
Tzuen Yap . Pls e-mail any questions you have.