INST 4040 - The Search for Meaning in Global Religious Traditions: Ritual, Rebirth, and Community

Hours: 4
After exploring how humans respond to the challenges of life through the lens of the Western tradition and personal philosophy in INST 3535, we ask similar questions about the search for meaning by examining global religious traditions and community responses to the tragic nature of the human experience. Initial considerations will focus on the function of religious ritual as a means to symbolically reorganize and recreate the universe. Then we will examine specific rituals from diverse religious traditions, which may include Asian, African, or Native American religions. Through these case studies, we will see how communities process tragedy, loss, and disempowerment through the transformative and creative power of ritual.

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INST 4040 - The Search for Meaning in Global Religious Traditions: Ritual, Rebirth, and Community