This class is an introduction to the devotional literature of early modern India (c. 1500-1800), but more importantly, it is about thinking critically and developing skills in close reading of texts. In addition to learning about historical, religious, and social contexts of various literary traditions in Brajbhasha, students will be expected to demonstrate their ability to analyze and interpret texts by actively participating in class discussions and by writing a well-argued final paper. The focus will be on the what of literary traditions but also on the how and why these traditions made sense to people in the past and are still relevant to us, today.