Spring 2008

ANS 384 • Asceticism

Course Description

This graduate seminar will address an aspect common to most religions, the ascetic life-style. By drawing on original sources, primarily from the history of Indian religions, and on classical and contemporary scholarship, we will discuss the relation between ascetic beliefs and ascetic practices, accounts of critical views towards asceticism in the history of religions, and the benefits and risks of a comparative approach.

Grading Policy

Attendance/participation 40% Oral presentation 20% Research essay 40%

Texts

Wimbush/Valantasis, Asceticism Gavin Flood, The Ascetic Self Haripada Chakraborti, Asceticism in ancient India Patrick Olivelle, Samnyasa Upanisads Vincent L. Wimbush, Ascetic Behavior in Greco-Roman Antiquity Peter Brown, The Body and Society Course packet

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