Hinduism in the Americas

This course introduces students to the diverse religious phenomena known as Hindu traditions as they manifest in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Approaching Hinduism as both a religion of immigrants and a tradition adopted and practiced by non-Indian Americans, it examines how Hindu practices have been embraced and transformed in North America and the local and global forces that affect this. Using case studies, we will explore the role of religion in fostering community identity, and the emergence of new theological and philosophical interpretations that respond to the unique challenges of diaspora.