Ganesha Drinks Milk: Global Hinduism and Science
- A mediated “miracle” that goes around the world
- A global dispute between science and belief
- The emergence of a global Hindu community
Read: Vidal, Denis. When the Gods Drink Milk. Empiricism and Belief in Contemporary Hinduism. South Asia Research 18(2):149-171 (1998)
Read and Watch: The Hindu Miracle, September 21, 1995
Read: India's 'Guru Busters' Debunk All That's Mystical
Assignment: Discussion Board
This assignment asks you to post at least three substantial contributions in which you discuss the readings and videos for the week. A substantial contribution entails 2-3 paragraphs of about 7-10 lines. Questions meant to inspire your discussions are listed below. Notice however that these questions are meant as conversation starters, not quiz questions! That means you are encouraged to raise your own questions, generate your own perspectives on the subject, and respond to questions and opinions of other course participants.
Evidence of thorough study of the sources, creativity in discussing the subject, and responsiveness to questions raised in the discussion will be criteria for the assessment and grading of your discussion board contributions. You may reference sources that you use, unlike in the summary papers and the essays. There is however no formal rule for bibliographic referencing for the discussion boards. In order to facilitate discussion, you are especially encouraged to distribute your contributions over the week.
Possible Questions and Topics:
How did the milk-drinking miracle facilitate the constitution of a global Hindu community? Can religion and science be rationally reconciled? How do modern media encourage science and religion?
Author Biography
Alexander Henn is a professor of religious studies in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Arizona State University. Prior to coming to ASU in 2005, he was an assistant professor of anthropology at Heidelberg University (1989-2000) and adjunct professor of anthropology at Heidelberg University's South Asia Institute (2000-2005). He also served as a visiting professor at Delhi University and Goa University in India.
He has received fellowships and grants from the German Research Council (DFG), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), University Grants Commission Delhi (UGC), German Volkswagen Foundation, Cluster of Excellence Heidelberg University (‘Asia and Europe in a Global Context’), and Kaete Hamburger Kolleg Bochum University ('Dynamics in the History of Religions Asia and Europe.')
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