We're still actively developing this site. If you encounter any issues, please report them! - Report an issue

TIBETAN CULTURES AND TRADITIONS

ASIAN 268
Course Description

Introduction to a wide variety of ancient Tibetan cultural beliefs, practices and motifs that are practiced to this day. Examines topics such as: gender roles and stereotypes in Tibetan society; folk beliefs and practices; astrology, divination, dream interpretation and related issues; art, music and theater; traditional Tibetan medicine and healing practices; and finally, the varied and extensive religious traditions of Tibet in their cultural manifestations. Examines central themes and inquires into the ways it contributes to-or contests-a cultural universe that has direct impact on Tibetan lives.

Prerequisites

None

Satisfies

This course does not satisfy any prerequisites.

Credits

Not Reported

Offered

Not Reported

Grade Point Average
3.98

1.65% from Historical

Completion Rate
100%

1.26% from Historical

A Rate
98.18%

3.78% from Historical

Class Size
55

14.11% from Historical

Cumulative Grade Distribution

Instructors (2026 Summr)

Sorted by ratings from Rate My Professors

Similar Courses

SHAMANISM

FOLKLORE/RELIGST 352

Survey of shamanism as a religious tradition and sociocultural force in Siberian, Asian, and Native American societies. Exploration of shamanic rituals, roles, cosmology. Cultural and political uses of shamanism in traditional and modern contexts.

A SURVEY OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM

ASIAN/RELIGST 307

By studying the distinctively Tibetan forms of Buddhism, we also examine more general issues, such as the relationship between theory and practice, ancient meditation and mind training, the politics of "world making", and the connection between identity and experience. Not open to students with credit for LCA 421 prior to Fall 2019.

ASIA ENCHANTED: GHOSTS, GODS, AND MONSTERS

ASIAN/RELIGST 236

Explores how different cultures in Asia conceive of and relate to the monstrous, ghostly, and divine, both in the past and in the contemporary world. These themes are approached from a range of different disciplinary perspectives, including religious studies, literature, anthropology, and history.

GODS AND GODDESSES OF SOUTH ASIA

ASIAN/RELIGST 405

Introduces some of the most important deities of South Asia through visual representation, mythical narratives and rituals of worship. Topics include the development of iconographic forms and concepts, masculine and feminine aspects of the divine, the belief in human embodiments of divinities, the phenomenon of possession, modes of domestic and public worship and the symbolism of the temple structure.

INDIAN TRADITIONS IN THE MODERN AGE

ASIAN/RELIGST 430

Explores how ancient Indian traditions have been reframed for the modern age. Topics include the Ramayama in popular media, negotiations over sacred spaces, and popular Tantra. We will also examine recent controversies, such as the one surrounding the ancient Jain practice of fasting until death (sallekhana) in the modern age.