(SUMMER 2006)

Introduction to Tibetan Culture (Section 1) E ASIAN X400.5  (1)

An elective course for the Specialized Studies Programs in Buddhism and Yoga.
When asked what they know about Tibet, most people will mention its high mountains, its pristine landscapes and, invariably, its monks and the Dalai Lama. In fact, images of religious services and chanting monks capture our minds with the illusion of a unique society shaped exclusively by religion and devoted solely to the love of peace. But, is religion indeed the only shaping factor in Tibetan culture and society? This course explores this and related questions by illustrating the various facets of Tibetan culture, which include, but are not limited to, religious aspects. Elements such as society and family, festivals and holidays, art and literature will be addressed, and the ways in which they shape Tibetan culture will be examined. The course will be lecture and discussion based, but photographs and audio-visual aids will also be employed. Refund deadline one week prior to start date.

Federica Venturi, M.A. is a Ph.D. candidate in Tibetan Studies in the Department of Central Eurasian Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington. She holds a degree in Tibetology from the University of Rome, Italy. She has traveled in Western and Central Tibet in the course of research expeditions and is a member of the International Association for Tibetan Studies.