R620 Religious Asceticism (3 cr.) M 4:00-6:00P BH018 (Brakke)

This seminar will examine asceticism as a religious practice and as a
theoretical concept in religious studies.  In the first part of the
course we will consider in dialogue with one another two kinds of
readings: (1) texts that have been classically considered "ascetic,"
drawn from late ancient Christianity and from the Hindu traditions of
India; and (2) modern theoretical explorations of asceticism (e.g.,
Weber, Foucault, Harpham, performance theory [Valantansis]).  The
second part of the course will be given to student presentations on
ascetic texts and/or practices from the religious traditions and
historical periods of their interests.  All students will write a
research paper; students who enroll in R713 must base their work on
the relevant sources in their original language(s).  Probable
textbooks: Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of
Capitalism, Michel Foucault, The History of Sexuality, Geoffrey Galt
Harpham, The Ascetic Imperative in Culture and Criticism, Athanasius
of Alexandria, The Life of Antony, Augustine, Confessions, Patrick
Olivelle, Samnyasa Upanisads.