Write your response to 1 question from each category in a Word document, and then upload your file below. Category 1 (Select 1 question.) 1. Religion and the Arts Ethologist Ellen Dissanayake believes that the arts (music, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture) were a necessary part of ancient religious rituals because the arts provided a way of bonding with others, including deity—a bonding that was important in alleviating stress during times of uncertainty. Give 1 detailed example from the Hindu religion that exemplifies Dissanayake’s premise. Then, provide 1 detailed example from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Christianity in general, or with another world religion that exemplifies this principle. For your conclusion, why do you think the arts are able to provide this kind of bonding for devotees during times of uncertainty? 2. Similarities and Differences with Hinduism Considering Hinduism, describe in detail at least 2 examples of similarities between the religious narratives, arts, or beliefs practiced by Hindus and those practiced by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Christianity in general, or with another world religion (2 Hindu examples and 2 examples from LDS Church/Christianity/other world religion). For your conclusion, what has your study of the arts and religious beliefs of Hinduism taught you about your own religion? 3. Similarities and Differences with Buddhism Considering Buddhism, describe in detail at least 2 examples of similarities between the religious narratives, arts, or beliefs practiced by Buddhists and those practiced by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Christianity in general, or with another world religion (2 Buddhist examples and 2 examples from LDS Church/Christianity/other world religion). For your conclusion, what has your study of the arts and religious beliefs of Buddhism taught you about your own religion? 4. Oral Tradition How would you explain the oral tradition to someone who does not know what it is? Be sure to rely on the information included in Foley’s article and give at least 2 detailed examples as to how the oral tradition has been used in South Asia throughout time. For your conclusion, is the oral tradition still relevant for modern South Asians? If so, how? If not, why not? Category 2 (Select 1 question.) 5. Approaching the Unknown and Unfamiliar After having written your paper/created your final artifact, reflect on the following. (1) In terms of the scholarly process, how did the process of finding vetted scholarly sources affect the way you wrote the paper? Give a detailed explanation. (2) In terms of scholarly substance, what did you learn by writing the paper? Give a detailed explanation. For your conclusion, how might conducting scholarly research relate to the Savior’s admonition to make righteous judgments? 6. Questions to Ponder Drawing upon all the questions to ponder covered throughout the entire course, select 2 questions and respond to a, b, and c for each of the 2 questions: Explain what we learned in class that prompted the original question. Provide plenty of detail in your answer. What have you learned at this point in the semester that gives you a more expanded view regarding the question? Be specific and provide plenty of detail in your answer. In terms of your current situation, how might you apply what you have learned from contemplating this question to various aspects of your life? Be specific in providing your answer to this question. 7. Orality and Musicality in Hindustani Classical Music From what you have learned about the oral tradition in Hindustani classical music from the Ruckert readings, the Zuckerman videos, and Dr. Bhattacharjee’s video about his guru, describe how the guru-shishya parampara is fundamental to the ongoing tradition of Hindustani classical music. For your conclusion, what makes Hindustani classical music unique? 8. Art as a Corrective Briefly explain Gregory Bateson’s notion of art as a corrective and give 2 detailed examples of how performing traditions in South Asia embody this principle (possible examples—Qawwali, female Sufism, Bollywood Movies, Bollywood Filmi Music, female contemporary artists). What is each genre correcting against? For your conclusion, what is the role of art-as-corrective in South Asia? 9. Abida Parveen and Lata Mangeshkar Compare and contrast the voices and bodies of the gynandrous Abida Parveen and the hyper-feminine-sounding Lata Mangeshkar. In making your comparison, consider the historical reasons for banning (or at least covering up) female bodies in traditional performances, the modern role of technology as a way of freeing and encouraging female expression for women (of all ages and backgrounds), and the way modern-day performances for both women function as a kind of corrective. Category 3 (Select 1 question.) 10. Women in South Asian Art Consider 2 of the following: (1) the prominent place of female gods in early Dravidian (pre-Aryan) culture, represented by statues from the Indus Valley period; (2) the role of Durga as a savior figure, etched in stone at Mamallapuram; (3) the ralli quilts, including their visual patterns that date back to the Indus Valley civilization; and (4) the female artists who dominate the visual arts in modern India. Why do you think that women have had a prominent place in the visual arts—as subjects or as creators of art—at various times throughout South Asian history? For your conclusion, is there something unique about the visual arts that enables creative expression by and for women? 11. Shakespeare in South Asia Briefly describe how Shakespeare was introduced in South Asia. Give a detailed example of a South Asian adaptation that has been successful and explain why it was successful. How has Shakespeare been enfolded into Hindu culture? Could this be an examples of reverse colonialism? For your conclusion, why does Shakespeare—as an iconic figure in British history—resonate with people who had previously been colonized by Britain? 12. Compare and Contrast The great poet Rabindranath Tagore and great novelist Salman Rushdie are 2 towering South Asian figures in the 20th century. Describe in detail 1 of Tagore’s major accomplishments and 1 of Rushdie’s major accomplishments and compare and contrast their receptions in South Asia and abroad. For your conclusion, why was each man received so differently? 13. Escapist Fare When considering escapist fare, at what point does entertainment become escapism? Give a detailed example as to how Bollywood might be seen as an example of escapism for some audience members. What might be the underlying reason(s) why some Indian audiences might crave the escapist fare of Bollywood? Is Bollywood an example of Bateson’s idea of art as a corrective? If so, how? If not, why not? For your conclusion, do Americans have any comparable forms of escapist fare? If so, what are they? If not, why not? Category 4 (Briefly answer this question) 14. Course Feedback I always want to improve my courses. In order to do that please tell me the following: What is one specific thing from this course that you would change, and why/how you would change it? What was your favorite assignment in this course, and why?
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