Matter and Spirit

Catalog description

Taught by GTU/CARE. Material culture theory offers fertile ground for interpreting the complex role of "things" in historical contexts and in the present day, in daily life and in spiritual practice. This course will consider the subject from several angles, based on classics in material culture theory derived from anthropology, archaeology, sociology, and other fields. Students will apply those theories to sacred objects in a variety of contexts - how can we think about sacred objects in the museum? houses of worship? literature? visual arts? This seminar, designed for PhD and advanced MA students, is based on reading and discussion; assignments will include presentations and papers. The course will include several visits to local museums.