Professor: Dr. Hsain Ilahiane, 322B Curtiss Hall, 294-6145, hsain@iastate.edu

Class Hours:  TTH 9:30-10:50 , Hamilton 169.

Office Hours:  Wednesday from 3-5 PM , or by appointment.

NOTES: 

1.  If you would like a hard copy of the syllabus, I will be more than delighted to provide you with a copy.

2.  Iowa State University complies with the American with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.  Any student who may require an accommodation under such provisions should contact me as soon as possible and no later than the end of the first week of class or as soon as you become aware. No retroactive accommodations will be provided in this class.

Course Content and Learning Objectives:

This course is an intensive introduction to social science perspectives on religion.  As a core concern of this class we will take a comparative anthropological approach to the study of the shifting academic and popular definitions of what constitutes religion, faith, spirituality, ritual, and the methodologies and analytical approaches considered appropriate to examining the domains of human practices and beliefs.  What are the underlying assumptions about cultural differences that influence how we understand religions and religious experiences cross-culturally?  What are the roles of the historical processes and the politics of knowledge in shaping both religion and the way that it is studied?  In addition to surveying diverse anthropological approaches to religion, we will be looking at the relevance of these approaches for analyzing contemporary issues throughout the globe.

Class time is devoted to lecture, discussion, and multimedia.  Coming prepared to discuss the assigned readings is essential.  Evaluation is based on participation, attendance and class contribution, performance on assignments, and overall evidence of your engagement with the main concepts and issues. Attendance, class participation (including office hours), timely completion of written assignments and readings, and video viewing is critical.  Attendance is taken; you are allowed one unexcused absence, beyond which you put your overall evaluation at risk.  To register a legitimate absence, inform me in a timely fashion, and meet with me ASAP to discuss missed material. 

Questions regarding class material, assignments, or general conduct of the course are best raised during office hours.  I strongly invite students to meet with me individually or in small groups throughout the semester.

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