Religions Resist Modernity
RELI 381
Fall 2009
| Section:
01
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| Certificates: International Relations |
Why did the Taliban forbid television? Why do creationists reject evolution? Why did Gandhi insist that Indian nationalists spin their own thread? Throughout the last century, resistance has risen to modernity, and religion has played an increasingly important role in challenging the globalization of modern Western values. This seminar will explore how Europe transformed itself into a modern society with worldwide influence. Then it will investigate how the Lakota Sioux, Christian creationists, Mohandas Gandhi, Malcolm X, the Branch Davidians, and the Taliban each have used religion in an attempt to resist some aspect of modernity either outside the Western world and within it. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Intercultural Literacy, Writing
Three short papers are used to assess and improve the students' writing abilities and a long research paper provides the opportunity to demonstrate refined skills. The professor encourages the submission of drafts and review of completed papers.
The entire course is structured around moments of intercultural miscommunication, misinterpretation, and conflict. It prompts students to discern the logics and assumptions informing the perspectives of various sides.
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| 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: (FRST-MN)(FRST)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 | | Special Attributes: FYI |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
John Neihardt, BLACK ELK SPEAKS
Robert Lee, INHERIT THE WIND
Mohandas Gandhi, MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH
Malcolm X, AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Stuart Wright, ed. ARMAGEDDON IN WACO
Sherifa Zuhur, REVEALING REVEILING
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three short papers, one exam, 12-page research paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Attendance and participation is mandatory. This course fulfills a "Thematic Approach" requirement.
Learning and Living Seminar
This First Year Seminar is part of Wesleyan's Learning and Living Program. Students who register for this class will live together in the same residence hall. Because students are living in close proximity to one another, intellectual discussions and collaborative learning will extend beyond the classroom. This arrangement facilitates group assignments and projects, and allows for the growth of a strong community of students through daily interaction. Strengthening students' intellectual and residential community enhances the undergraduate experience for Learning and Living seminar participants. |
| Instructor(s): Gottschalk,Peter S. Times: .M.W... 11:00AM-12:20PM; Location: BTFDA414; |
Permission of Instructor Required
Enrollment capacity: 19 | Permission of instructor will be granted during the drop/add period. Students must submit either a ranked or unranked drop/add request for this course. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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