Plants, Trees & Other Earthly Spirits In Religious Traditions

Catalog description

TAUGHT BY GTU. This seminar course will be of interest to students interested in nature, myth, material culture, visual culture/art, and with interest in learning about different religious practices and various beliefs related to trees and plants in various religious traditions. We will discover together, read about and discuss various aspects related to sacred trees and plants and will cover a number of topics - such as cults and religious myths related to plants and trees; the Tree of Life; the worship of sacred trees; trees as the abode for various deities and spirits and their worship; the use of plants in sacrifices and rituals; the symbolism of the lotus and other plants and flowers; the important ritual role of incense and aromatics in all the great religions of the world, etc. Evaluation and assignments will include active class participation, a class presentation related to the topic of the final paper, and a final research paper. [20 max enrollment; Auditors with faculty permission]