学部後期課程
学内のオンライン授業の情報漏洩防止のため，URLやアカウント、教室の記載は削除しております。
最終更新日：2026年10月16日
授業計画や教室は変更となる可能性があるため、必ずUTASで最新の情報を確認して下さい。
UTASにアクセスできない方は、担当教員または部局教務へお問い合わせ下さい。
最終更新日：2026年10月16日
授業計画や教室は変更となる可能性があるため、必ずUTASで最新の情報を確認して下さい。
UTASにアクセスできない方は、担当教員または部局教務へお問い合わせ下さい。
共通英語（Adv ALE 4）
This course introduces anthropology as a way of understanding and producing knowledge about religion. It examines classical anthropological theories that viewed religion as a universal feature of all societies and explores critiques of these approaches. The course also considers how knowledge is shaped by power and cultural context. The course introduces non-Western perspectives that understand religion as historically and culturally specific body of knowledge.
1.To introduce anthropology as a form of knowledge production embedded in specific cultural contexts.
2.To introduce classical theories on religion that placed religion as ahistorical and transnational aspect of every culture and society.
3.To introduce students to the process of knowledge production as an exercise of power.
4.To explore the problematics of classical theories on religion through critiques of such theories.
5.To survey non-western perspectives that understand religion as a product of specific cultural contexts.
By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
1.Question and critically engage with the process of knowledge production academic or otherwise
2.Be familiar with non-western response to anthropology who are often the objects of study
2.To introduce classical theories on religion that placed religion as ahistorical and transnational aspect of every culture and society.
3.To introduce students to the process of knowledge production as an exercise of power.
4.To explore the problematics of classical theories on religion through critiques of such theories.
5.To survey non-western perspectives that understand religion as a product of specific cultural contexts.
By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
1.Question and critically engage with the process of knowledge production academic or otherwise
2.Be familiar with non-western response to anthropology who are often the objects of study
時間割／共通科目コード
コース名
教員
学期
時限
08A0021
FAS-AA4A01S3
共通英語（Adv ALE 4）
NADADUR KANNAN Rajalakshmi
月曜2限
マイリストに追加
マイリストから削除
講義使用言語
英語
単位
2
実務経験のある教員による授業科目
NO
他学部履修
可
開講所属
教養学部
授業計画
Week 1 Introductions
-Setting up Google Classroom
-Syllabus
-Introduction to Anthropology: An overview of approaches and theories in the field
Week 2 Anthropology – knowledge production and colonialism
-Can knowledge be objective? Who produces knowledge?
-How does their politics of identity and representation influence such knowledge? In this context, how is ‘religion’ done?
Week 3 Religion and Secular
-Two sides of the same coin
-Ideological categories and their role in the society
Week 4 Religion and the Subaltern: Gender 1
-How is religion embedded in the performance of gender?
Assessment 1: Reflection 1 Due
Week 5Religion and the Subaltern: Gender 2
-Is intersectionality a buzzword?
-Queer Theory and Critical Race Theory
Week 6 Religion and Violence 1
-Are some religions inherently violent?
Week 7 Religion and Violence 2
- What role does memory (individual and collective) have in our understanding and dealing with concepts such as violence, evil, progress and religion?
Week 8 Museums and Material Objects
-How do material objects represent religion?
-How do we understand religion from these material objects?
-What does Tibetan bells and the Namaste during Yoga teach us about Buddhism and Hinduism?
Assessment 2: Reflection 2 Due
Week 9 Religion and Representation
- Politics of representation in the media
Week 10 Religion and Japan 1
-Global Representation of Japan
Week 11 Religion and Japan 2
-Animism and Ancestral Worship
-Princess Mononoke, an Inari shrine, and Tanuki – what does the fox say?
-Ageing population or deities of the future?
Week 12 Religion and Environment 1
-Is nature secular?
Week 13 Religion and Environment 2
-How does religion and secular produce knowledge about nature, environment, climate change and end of the world?
Assessment 3: Reflection 3 Due
授業の方法
Students will be expected to complete the homework readings in order to prepare for class discussions for the following week. Readings will be posted on Google Classroom. The class time will involve a mini-lecture discussing the key concepts from the readings, class discussions and other similar interactive activities. This class will be highly interactive with the expectation that the students will actively participate in the discussions. Students are strongly advised that it is in their own interests to fully prepare for each class. Optimum learning environment can be ensured when there are informed discussions with peers, and the professor that can resolve many misunderstandings and problems of interpretation. Students are also strongly encouraged to contact the professor throughout the semester to inform them of any issues (technical or otherwise) that may impede their completion of the course work.
成績評価方法
The assessment for this course is calculated as following:
Homework and Preparation: 20%
Active participation in the class discussions: 20%
Reflection papers – 3: 60%
履修上の注意
【If the number of students enrolling in this course exceeds the number determined by the instructor, there may be a selection process. Instructions for the selection process will be given in the first class, so if you are interested in taking this course, please be sure to attend the first class.】
No pre-requisite knowledge is required for this course. However, students are expected to complete the readings in advance for the following week. All readings will be posted on Google Classroom in advance.
