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CS92PROD
The Anthropology of Nationalism and Religion
RELI 299
Fall 2011
Section: 01  

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.

Essential Capabilities: Intercultural Literacy, Writing
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (CSCT)(HRAD-MN)(REES-MN)(REES-Social Sci)(RELI-MN)(RELI)(STS)
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on MAR-29-2024
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