Dr. Phyllis Herman. Photo courtesy Pasadena Senior Center
The fall term of The Masters Series, with the theme Religions of the World, will be onsite at the Pasadena Senior Center Tuesdays, Sept. 14 to Oct. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Religion has always played a role in human society, from nonverbal prehistory to the prominent place of religion in contemporary life. Living in a multicultural society, it is important to understand what is sacred in religions and the central myths, rituals, texts and scriptures that shape ancient and modern expressions of these traditions.
Dr. Phyllis Herman, professor of religious studies at California State University, Northridge, will introduce participants in The Masters Series to archaic and tribal religious practices, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The cost for the six-week series is only $75 for members of the Pasadena Senior Center and $90 for nonmembers.
• Sept. 14 – The religious life of archaic and tribal traditions: examples from the Ngaju Dayak and the Hopi.
• Sept. 21 – Hinduism: from prehistoric finds to modern traditions.
• Sept. 28 – Buddhism: from its founder’s life to the many schools and countries that practice this religion.
• Oct. 5 – Judaism: the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud and the many forms of modern Judaism.
• Oct. 12 – Christianity: the life of Jesus and developments into and within this religion.
• Oct. 19 – Islam: from Muhammad to the world.
To register or for more information, visit www.pasadenaseniorcenter.org and click on Masters Series Lifelong Learning, call 626-795-4331 or email AnnieL@pasadenaseniorcenter.org. Everyone who registers will receive email instructions for joining each week’s Zoom class online.
Herman, who earned her PhD in the history of religion at UCLA, has been a professor of religious studies at CSUN for many years and served a term as chair of the Department of Religious Studies.
Her areas of concentration include world religions, Islam in India, South Asian religious traditions and women and religion. She has contributed chapters to several notable books and articles on nationalist and feminine theories, women and religion, and Hindu ideas of kingship. She also co-edited a book titled “The Constant and Changing Face of the Goddess: Goddess Traditions in Asia” that features essays written by established scholars.
Masks and social distancing are required for onsite activities. For more information about onsite as well as online activities and other programs and services of the Pasadena Senior Center, visit the website or call (626) 795-4331.
The center, at 85 E. Holly St., is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit organization that has been serving older adults for more than 60 years.
