FYSE1436A-F15
Mystics, Saints, and Shamans
Mystics, Saints, and Shamans
What is the nature of a mystical experience? Are “mysticism” or “sainthood” phenomena with a universal core found equally across cultures? What is the role of cultural and social contexts in the formation of such experiences and phenomena? How exactly do we define who is a saint or a shaman? This course will be a comparative study of extraordinary experiences and manipulations of reality claimed by charismatic religious figures across time and space. We will discuss a wide variety of examples from traditionally renowned saints of the medieval Islamic world to contemporary New Age leaders in America. 3 hrs. sem.
What is the nature of a mystical experience? Are “mysticism” or “sainthood” phenomena with a universal core found equally across cultures? What is the role of cultural and social contexts in the formation of such experiences and phenomena? How exactly do we define who is a saint or a shaman? This course will be a comparative study of extraordinary experiences and manipulations of reality claimed by charismatic religious figures across time and space. We will discuss a wide variety of examples from traditionally renowned saints of the medieval Islamic world to contemporary New Age leaders in America. 3 hrs. sem.
- Term:
- Fall 2015
- Location:
- Warner Hall 203(WNS 203)
- Schedule:
- 2:50pm-4:05pm on Monday, Wednesday (Sep 16, 2015 to Dec 11, 2015)
- Type:
- Seminar
- Instructors:
- Ata Anzali
- Subject:
- First Year Seminar
- Department:
- First-Year Seminar Program
- Division:
- Interdisciplinary
- Requirements Fulfilled:
- CMP CW PHL
- Levels:
- Undergraduate
- Availability:
- View availability, prerequisites, and other requirements.
- Course Reference Number (CRN):
- 92570
- Subject Code:
- FYSE
- Course Number:
- 1436
- Section Identifier:
- A