The Institute will be concerned with the study of the Himalayan region (principally Nepal, Kashmir, Tibet,) and particularly the literatures, arts, and religions that have been especially important in pan-Asian history. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Hinduism and Buddhism will be featured, as well as the Bön tradition and shamanism. Special emphasis will be devoted to art history and both the traditional and modern literatures of Tibet and Nepal. The Institute will end with a survey of the modern ecological and political problems facing the peoples of the region. Participants will also reflect critically about how Western popular media tend to construct "exotic" peoples and cultures in their historical imaginations. Institute workshops will comprehensively survey available K-12 classroom resources and participants will consult with scholars to develop their own innovative curriculum plans. By the Institute's end, teachers will also have been trained to create their own web sites that will contain their own curriculum implementation plans. As with our three previous institutes, the Institute web sites will become resources for teachers nationwide.

Application Deadline: March 3, 2008
Location: College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts
Dates: July 7-31, 2008