Sacred Spaces, Sacred Paths

Catalog description

In this course, students examine geographic intersections of place, space, and sacredness within various belief systems, architectural structures around the world, and city layouts. This course explores the aspects of space through analysis at various scales of sacred geographical boundaries, specific points (sacred sites), and lines (pilgrimages) through a geographic lens. Students examine intersections of space and the physical terrain, with built structures serving a sacred purpose for a society. Class case studies may focus on the diffusion of sacred practices and belief systems; how sacred space is demarcated through rituals and/or ceremonies; ideas of sacred directions and orientation in space; and cosmological layouts of towns. Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer