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Academic Year 2000/2001
Imagining the Other: Alterity Theory in Religious and Anthropological Perspective
RELI 384 FA
In the social construction of meaning, concepts contrary to dominant representations are suppressed, repressed, and relegated to the margins. They become simultaneously despised and desired and in a religious context,
may serve as scapegoats or the
source of sacred power. The course will examine examples of both positive and negative projections onto marginal groups, theoretical explanations for the creation and maintenance of alterity, and suggestions for the
celebration, rather than vilification,
of difference.
MAJOR READINGS
Bakhtin, RABELAIS AND HIS WORLD Dower, WAR WITHOUT MERCY Hyde, THE GIFT: IMAGINATION AND THE EXOTIC LIFE OF PROPERTY Sanford, Evil; THE SHADOW SIDE OF REALITY Brown, Mama Loa; A VODOU PRIESTESS IN BROOKLYN
Stallybrass and White, THE POLITICS
AND POETICS OF TRANSGRESSION Jenkins; SUBVERSIVE LAUGHTER:THE LIBERATING POWER OF COMEDY O'Barr: CULTURE AND THE AD: EXPLORING OTHERNESS IN THE WORLD OF ADVERTISING Golden; THE WOMEN OUTSIDE: MEANINGS AND MYTHS OF
HOMELESSNESS
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Two short writing assignments, midterm and final exam.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
This course fulfills the "Religion in Society" requirement for the department major. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class,
they will be dropped from the class
list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.
COURSE FORMAT:
Discussion
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI
Grading Mode:
Student Option
Prerequisites:
NONE
Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-26-2001
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Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459
