معرفی
Seth Ligo is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Asian Studies at The Pennsylvania State University, specializing in South Asian Religions. He holds a PhD from Duke University (2020) and has taught at UNC Asheville and Duke before joining Penn State in 2024. His research focuses on material and visual cultures of Hinduism and Buddhism, particularly the deity Bhairava, Tantra, and marginal religious practices. Ligo conducts ethnographic fieldwork in India and integrates multimedia into his teaching, including Bollywood elements to engage students.
Education:
- PhD, Duke University, 2020
- MDiv, Harvard Divinity School, 2012
- AB, Princeton University, 2008
Research Interests: Seth explores intersections of religion and culture through studies of Bhairava iconography, Tantra, folk religions, and sacred spaces. His current book project examines the socio-religious role of Kāl Bhairav in Varanasi. He challenges categorical assumptions in South Asian religious studies through material analysis and digital humanities approaches.
Publications: His work spans ethnography, textual analysis, and reviews, addressing topics like Bhairava’s dualities, tantric rituals, and Hindu material culture. Recent publications include studies on sacred cities, metaphysical communities, and tantric texts.
Awards:
- Fulbright Fellowship (2016) for ethnographic research in Varanasi
Teaching & Outreach: Teaches courses on Buddhism, world religions, and religion in cinema. Emphasizes experiential learning with audiovisual materials and cultural performances. Active in initiatives like the Department of Asian Studies’ interdisciplinary programs.
Lifestyle: Combines South Asian cultural interests with Appalachian traditions, playing the banjo to balance scholarly work. Integrates religious literacy and creative pedagogy in his curriculum design.
