INTERFAITH MATERIAL BIOGRAPHIES (HSRA-8200)
(09/07/2021-12/17/2021)
Course Memo
STUDYING RELIGIOUS HISTORY THROUGH OBJECTS:In this seminar course, offered online in a blend of synchronous and asynchronous
modalities, students will examine religious objects from a variety of historical periods to learn how they constitute a material record
intersectional religious narratives. Objects that blend traditions such as Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, Indigenous American, and
forms of popular religious practices, will be the primary texts in the course, along with secondary course readings, activities and discussion.
Students will learn methods to analyze material culture and write material biographies of religious objects. Requirements include research
papers and presentations; M.Div., MA/MTS students. This course is taught by PhD student Pamela Stevens with a Newhall Award, under the
supervision of Dr. Arthur Holder.