Temaomtale/ Theme description RELV242/RELV342

South Asia and Eastern Europe are veritable treasure troves of themes we as students of religions can investigate comparatively. This course endeavors to do just that, by selecting relevant topics from a wide range of thematic areas connected to these regions, and by attempting to contextualize them geographically, historically, and culturally in a systematic manner. Possible themes for the course include religious diversity; religious mobility; religion and the arts (literature, art, music); ethnicity and religion; new religions, and many others. The impressive breadth of modalities and contexts in which religious thought and practice find expression in South Asia and Eastern Europe provides us thus with an opportunity to address together topics as diverse and colorful as the rich cultural tapestry of the two regions.