[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2005/2006

Three Generals in the Lord's Army
RELI 283 FA
Crosslistings:
AFAM 239

This course will investigate the specific ways in which religion was used by slaves as a political and revolutionary tool to combat their enslavement. Focus will be placed on the African slave trade phenomenon, the heritage of New World slaves, the historical roots of slavery in North America and the justifications advanced for its legalized institution. Special emphasis will be placed upon the lives and times of three black men--Gabriel Prosser, Denmark Vesey and Nat Turner--as key examples of the slaves' continued resistance to enslavement and of the ways the slaves' religion was incorporated into their liberation struggles.

MAJOR READINGS

A. Bontemps, BLACK THUNDER
B. Hurmence, BEFORE FREEDOM
W. Jordan, THE WHITE MAN'S BURDEN
P. Kolchin, AMERICAN SLAVERY: 1619-1877
D. Mathews, RELIGION IN THE OLD SOUTH
A. Raboteau, SLAVE RELIGION
D. White, AR'N'T I A WOMAN?

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three papers: 1) a short essay (3 pages); 2) a midterm essay (5-8 pages); and a final essay (10 pages)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course fulfills a "Religion in Society" departmental requirement.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459