Spring 2010

ANS 340 • South Asian Saints and Yogis-W

Course Description

At the turn of the twentieth century, several saints and yogis began to appear on the South Asian landscape. In dialogue with modernity, these saints - from various backgrounds such as Hinduism,Islam and Christianity - made an impressive impact over the emerging modern discourses and life-styles. Focusing on their life stories, teachings and cultic practices, this course explores their role in the making of Modern South Asia at various intersections of history, religion, literature and philosophy. In this course, we will read the autobiographies of these saints and very few carefully selected secondary materials on sainthood and yogi practices. We will also watch and analyze three most important movies and documentaries made on these saints.

Grading Policy

1. Weekly informal Responses: 25% 2. Mid-term short paper (7 pages): 25% 3. Presentation : 25% 4. Final Paper (10 pages) : 25%

Texts

1. Narayan Kirin, Story-tellers Saints and Scoundrels 2. Hawley, Songs of the saints of India 3. Lawrence Babb, Redemptive Encounters 4. Penchilis Karen, The Graceful Gurus 5. McDaniel June, The Madness of the Saints: Ecstatic Religion

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