Cynthia Ann Humes (Claremont McKenna College)

submitted: Wed, 13 Sep 1995 10:50:03 -0800 (PST)

Cynthia Ann Humes
Assistant Professor
Claremont McKenna College
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
850 Columbia Avenue
Claremont, California 91711  USA

phones: 909-607-2503 (office)
        909-626-9946 (residence)
Fax:    909-621-8419
email:  CHUMES@BENSON.MCKENNA.EDU

description of work:

Research interests in Asian history/Asian Studies:
Hindu devotionalism, Sanskrit recitation, Shakta religion, Goddess
worship, women's experience in Asia, Hinduism in the USA, in particular at
present, Transcendental Meditation; Vindhyachal Temple and the cult of
Vindhyavasini-Durga; economic and political dimensions in the panda
profession; Dhyanu Bhagat; head-offering; animal sacrifice and
substitution; ancient Sanskrit texts, medieval Sanskrit texts, modern
Sanskrit and Hindi texts; anthropology of religion; religion in Uttar
Pradesh.

Teaching interests in Asian history/Asian Studies, undergraduate:
Introductions to world religions; Hinduism and Indian culture; Buddhism;
devotional texts in translation; Sanskrit language (so far, just
first-year); goddess worship; "cults" in the USA; comparative themes in
religious traditions.

At Claremont Graduate School:
advanced seminars on Hindu devotionalism, goddess worship.