The Anthropology of Nationalism and Religion
RELI 299
Fall 2011
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01
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Do Hamas, the Taliban, and the Christian Coalition have anything in common? All have been described as forms of religious nationalism. Recent conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and elsewhere have led political scientists and the popular media to the conclusion that when religion is mixed with nationalism the results are inherently explosive. Yet the annals of anthropology show that violent religious nationalism is only one of many forms of the relationship between religion and politics. Anthropological approaches allow us to think beyond the simplistic picture often presented in the media. Why is religion so effective at mobilizing groups? Is secular nationalism really secular? How does religious nationalism create arguments and motivate its adherents? This course examines the theoretical underpinnings of the current debate on religious nationalism, exploring arguments about the relationships between religion and group identity, religion and modernity, modernity and religious nationalism. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Intercultural Literacy, Writing |
| 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: (CSCT)(HRAD-MN)(REES-MN)(REES-Social Sci)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Anderson, Benedict, IMAGINED COMMUNITIES
Gellner, Ernest, NATIONS AND NATIONALISM
Durkheim, Emile, THE ELEMENTARY FORMS OF THE RELIGIOUS LIFE
Geertz, Clifford, RELIGION AS A CULTURAL SYSTEM
Fanon, Franz, THE WRETCHED OF THE EARTH
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Examinations and Assignments:
In addition to weekly readings, there will be a take-home midterm consisting of essay questions and a semester-long case study research project. For the final research paper, students will apply the course readings to a case study. Students will be required to select their topics and submit a one-page proposal describing the case study and the sources to be used. Multiple drafts of the paper, representing stages of the research project will be due over the course of the semester. Students will present the results of their project to the class on one of the final two classes. The paper will be due on the last day of class. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills the "Method & Theory" requirement for the Religion Department major. |
| Instructor(s): Quijada,Justine Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: FISK305; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 3 | JR major: 3 | | |
| Seats Available: 11 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 4 | SO: 3 | FR: 3 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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