Introduction to the Anthropology of Religion in the Nusantara

Introduction to the Anthropology of Religion in the Nusantara (Southeast Asian Archipelago)

This course introduces the anthropological study of religion with a special focus on the Nusantara — the vast archipelago of Southeast Asia where world religions, local traditions, and living cultures meet and intertwine. Students learn how anthropologists observe, interpret, and understand religious life not as abstract doctrine alone but as lived practice embedded in communities, rituals, and everyday culture.

What you will learn

• The definition, scope, and central questions of the anthropology of religion.
• Core research methods, including ethnography, participant observation, and comparative analysis.
• How religion and local culture shape one another in the Nusantara.
• Case studies from across the archipelago that illustrate syncretism, adaptation, and pluralism.

Who should enroll

Students, researchers, teachers, and anyone curious about how faith and culture interweave in Southeast Asia. No prior background in anthropology is required.