Religion and the Social Construction of Race
RELI 391
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AFAM 280, AMST 297 |
| Certificates: Civic Engagement |
| Course Cluster: Christianity Studies |
In this course we examine aspects of the intersections between race and religion in a number of historical and social contexts. We place at the center of our discussions the question of how race and religion are co-constructed categories that function as a prism through which people come to understand and experience their own identities and those of others. We will privilege interpretations that emphasize (a) the intersections of race and religion as a process in which power plays a pivotal role; and (b) means through which communities form collective identities.
We will read a range of historical analysis and primary source materials from the United States and the Caribbean. After a theory module, we will examine a colonial-era captivity narrative, antebellum pro-slavery document, missionary works, analyses of anti-Semitism, works on Father Divine, the Nation of Islam, Rastafari, Haitian Vodou, Jonestown, the Christian White Supremacy movement, as well as the contemporary United States relationship to the Middle East. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (AFAM)(AMST)(CBST-MN)(CIVI-MN)(EDST)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Only those starred are recommended for purchase.
Michael Barkun, RELIGION AND THE RACIST RIGHT: THE ORIGINS OF THE CHRISTIAN IDENTITY MOVEMENT
Leonard Barrett, THE RASTAFARIANS
*David Chidester, SALVATION AND SUICIDE
*Jill Watts, GOD, HARLEM U.S.A., THE FATHER DIVINE STORY
*Melani McAlister, EPIC ENCOUNTERS
Sander Gilman, THE JEW'S BODY
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Examinations and Assignments:
Attendance, weekly response papers, three critical essays. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills a "Method & Theory" OR "Thematic Approach" requirement for Religion majors. AFAM students may fulfill their research paper requirement, in consultation with the professor. |
| Instructor(s): McAlister,Elizabeth Times: .M.W... 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: SQU110; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 22 | | SR major: 8 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 4 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 3 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 8 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 2 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 4 |
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