Faculty: Stephan Licha, Carolina López-Ruiz, James T. Robinson, Anand Venkatkrishnan, Christian K. Wedemeyer

Associated Faculty: Paul Copp, Christopher Faraone
 

History of Religions pays self-conscious and explicit attention to problems of epistemology, terminology, category formation, method and motive. Irreverent by temperament and sometimes on principle, it insists that [a] the Western monotheisms should not be the only paradigms and/or objects of legitimate study, [b] religion cannot be reduced to belief, but also includes issues of practices, institutions, communities, habitus and other factors that often operate below the level of consciousness, and [c] interpretation involves critical probing and systematic interrogation of the idealized self-representations of any religious phenomenon.

Those who work within the History of Religions are expected to become thoroughly acquainted with the development of the History of Religions as an academic discipline, and to have a sophisticated understanding of the theories and methods that are relevant to contemporary research in the field. Each student must deal creatively with the tension that results from an emphasis on the importance of historically contextualized studies on the one hand, and of wide-ranging theoretical and comparative research on the other.

Students in the History of Religions develop a special expertise in the study of at least one particular religious tradition. This involves learning to read and/or speak the relevant language (or languages) and becoming familiar with the relevant historical and cultural background. In addition, each student is expected to become informed about a variety of other religious traditions, both historical and contemporary. Students utilize the extensive resources provided by the University as a whole, enhancing their study of particular religious traditions by work in Area Studies departments (such as SALC, NELC, EALC, and Classics) and refining their critical method by work in disciplinary departments (such as History and Anthropology).

Progress Conference format

The progress (or pre-exam) conference is normally held in the spring quarter of the second year, or the fall of the third year.  In History of Religions, the progress conference is held with a panel of the area's faculty, and will normally include assessment of coursework to date, cogency of the course of study petition, readiness for qualifying examinations, and development of the dissertation project. A report from the advisor and a timeline for the qualifying examinations is submitted to the Dean of Students following the conference. 

Written Examinations

1. Special Area
2a. Contemporary Theory
2b. Classical Theory
3. Another special area or thematic exam

Sample Courses

Sample Courses

• Classical Theories of Religion
• Contemporary Theories of Religion
• The Veda and Its Interpreters
• Settler Religion: Searching for Indians
• Buddhism in Early Theravada Literature
• Mahayana Sutra Literature
• Pure Land Buddhism
• Religions of Tang China and the Eastern Silk Road
• Histories of Japanese Religion
• Contemporary Topics in the Study of South Asian Religion
• Contemporary Topics in the Study of South Asian Religion: Imagining South Asian Islam
• Religious Law, Secular Law, and Sexual Deviation in Ancient India
• Buddhist Poetry in India
• Problems in the History of Religions
• Indian Philosophy I: Origins and Orientations
• Indian Philosophy II: The Classical Traditions