Kabir and Pedagogy: Teaching the Politics of Religion through the Hagiography of an Indian Saint

Abstract

This essay discusses the virtues of hagiology-driven teaching and the pedagogical value of the saint in the religious studies classroom, focusing on how a series of class assignments and activities centered on the Indian devotional saint Kabir function in an undergraduate introductory-level religious studies course to effectively engage student learning, and develop students’ understanding of the politics of religion and the crucial interplay of affect, memory, and storytelling in religious life.

Keywords

• Kabir
• hagiology
• hagiography
• pedagogy
• saint
• Hinduism