In this course we examine different religions and religious developments and practices through the medium of ethnographic writings and film.

The course explores the main religious traditions in the region such as Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, and Shinto, as well as folk religious traditions and new religions. Religion is studied from an anthropological perspective that provides a deeper understanding of the socio-economic and political context of religious practices and communities. Religion is also studied in relation to gender, race, ethnicity, environment, economics, and technology.