Religion, Science, and Empire: Crucible of a Globalized World
RELI 373
Spring 2011
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
SISP 373, HIST 257 |
| Certificates: International Relations, South Asian Studies |
The development of modern science--and of modernity itself--not only coincided with the rise of European imperialism, it was abetted by it. Meanwhile, religion was integral to both the roots of European science and Western encounters with others. This class will explore how the intersections of religion, science, and empire have formed a globalized world with examples of European engagement with the Americas, Middle East, and, particularly, India from the age of Columbus through to the space race. We will examine how the disciplines we know today as biology, anthropology, archaeology, folklore, and the history of religions all crystallized in the crucible of imperial encounter and how non-Westerners have embraced, engaged, and resisted these epistemes. |
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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.
This 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 Major Requirement for: (CGST-MN)(EDST-MN)(EDST)(GSAS-MN)(MUST-MN)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Primary sources including maps, photographs, art, travelogues, and other literature.
Juan Cole, NAPOLEON'S EGYPT: INVADING THE MIDDLE EAST
Christopher Columbus, THE FOUR VOYAGES
Emily Eden, UP THE COUNTRY
Mohandas Gandhi, AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY
National Academy of Science, SCIENCE, EVOLUTION, AND CREATIONISM
Thomas Kuhn, THE STRUCTURES OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONS
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three small papers (5 pages) and one research paper on a topic of the students' choice (10-12 pages). |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Attendance and participation is mandatory. This course fulfills "Thematic Approach" department requirement. |
| Instructor(s): Gottschalk,Peter S. Times: .M.W... 11:00AM-12:20PM; Location: BTFDA413; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 4 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 6 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 0 | FR: X |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| 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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