CNRC3545: Divine Dwellings: Sacred Spaces in Antiquity

Have you ever considered the sacred spaces that surround us every day? From public religious sites to cozy reading nooks, sacrality is everywhere. This course invites you to explore the art, materials, and architectural styles of places of worship across the ancient Near Eastern world: from Mesopotamia to Rome, synagogues to churches, pyramids to megalithic stone temples. By using modern spatial theory and hands-on labs, we'll be able to "repopulate" and "reanimate" these sacred spaces. What did they look like? What happened inside? How did gender, age, ethnicity, and religious status shape interactions with these places? Most importantly, what made them sacred?  Join us on an archaeological adventure to uncover the profound connection between people and their "divine dwellings"—inside and out! **Important note: This course relies on the academic and secular study of religion; we will not discuss matters of personal faith.

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