Religion 305pl - Seminar: Advanced Topics in Religion-Pilgrimage

This seminar surveys modern pilgrimage practices in traditional religions, new religious movements, and religion-like assemblages, such as fan scenes. In studies ranging from an ethnography of Jim Morrison’s Paris grave to a history of Birthright trips to Israel, the course examines the diverse ways that humans engage travel, shrines, and constructions of the sacred. In doing so, the course analyzes how pilgrimage intersects with issues of national identity, racialized hierarchies, gender and sexuality, religious orthodoxy and heterodoxy, migration, memory, and nostalgia.  Finally, it reflects on the limits and generative possibilities offered by pilgrimage as an academic category. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.

[CE] JR/SR only