In this seminar we will learn about spirituality as resistance and connect history, theory, research, and action. Centering indigenous practices both locally and globally, the freedom struggles of BIPOC, and the creative power of diasporic people, we will delve into the philosophies and practices that have shaped the formation of spirituality. With Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass as an anchoring text, we will analyze the impact of imposed colonial forces using critical race theory, feminisms, intersectionality, and decoloniality.
This course requires rigorous interdisciplinary study of ourselves and our histories. Alongside these investigations, we will engage ritual, putting into practice ancestral wisdom—passed down, safeguarded despite genocide, ecocide, censorship, enslavement, displacement, and forced assimilation. We will integrate multi sensory ways of knowing, making, and being. This course places a strong emphasis on understanding theory and practice.
While honoring the distinctions between spirituality and organized religion, we also will learn about faith-based resistance histories in the Bay Area through current-day examples like East Bay Ohlone cultural project mak-’amham, GLIDE’s Daily Free Meal program, the Buddhadharma Sangha at San Quentin State Prison, and many more. This course will include field trips within the Bay Area and students will arrange their own transportation.
This course requires rigorous interdisciplinary study of ourselves and our histories. Alongside these investigations, we will engage ritual, putting into practice ancestral wisdom—passed down, safeguarded despite genocide, ecocide, censorship, enslavement, displacement, and forced assimilation. We will integrate multi sensory ways of knowing, making, and being. This course places a strong emphasis on understanding theory and practice.
While honoring the distinctions between spirituality and organized religion, we also will learn about faith-based resistance histories in the Bay Area through current-day examples like East Bay Ohlone cultural project mak-’amham, GLIDE’s Daily Free Meal program, the Buddhadharma Sangha at San Quentin State Prison, and many more. This course will include field trips within the Bay Area and students will arrange their own transportation.
- Instructor: Sita Bhaumik