RELI387

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RELI387

Anthropology of Black Religions in the Americas RELI387 SP

Crosslistings: AFAM387, CHUM387

Section	Class Size	*Available	Times	POI	Prereq
1	10	1	Times: ..W.... 1:10PM-4:00PM;	Yes	No

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the Blue Add phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration. (Last Updated on Tue Aug 10 05:00:21 EDT 1999 )

This advanced research seminar will examine Afro-Creole religions and cultural expressions in selected communities throughout the Atlantic world. How were religious communities created under colonial domination? Under what conditions were religions shaped, and what shapes did they take? How are African-based religions produced through aesthetics and the ritual arts of spiritual talk and sermons, song, dance, drumming and medicine-making? How do these religions continue to survive, thrive and in some cases grow in the current historical period? This course will pay special attention to the yearly ritual cycle and its attendant festivals: Christmas, Carnivals, Lent, Easter, Saint's Days, feasts and pilgrimages a well as the emergent spiritual and aesthetic traditions such as Capoera and Rara. The course will study the Black religious experience in the United States and also familiarize students with Orisha Religions like La Regla de Ocha, or Lukumi, in Cuba and the Latino United States, Candomble in Brazil, Vodou in Haiti, and Rastafari in Jamaica.

MAJOR READINGS

Barry Chavannes, RASTAFARI: ROOTS AND
IDEOLOGY
Joseph Murphy, SANTERIA
Karen McCarthy Brown, MAMA LOLA; U of California Press
Bettelheim and Nunley, CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL ARTS
Robert Farris Thompson, FLASH OF THE SPIRIT
Joseph Murphy, WORKING THE SPIRIT, Boston, Beacon Press,
1994

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

This research seminar prepares the student to write a major 16-20 pp. paper on one of the religious traditions in the Black Atlantic world. You will be required to use at least two primary sources to investigate a topic that must be approved. For anyone interested in documenting some aspect of an Afro-Atlantic religion, the paper may be an ethnographic project. However you must demonstrate that you have the language skills and entree (proper introductions and access) to do fieldwork.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course fulfills a "Religion in Society" requirement for the department major. Attendance and class participation are important to your grade and your progress in the class. You will write a 25-35 page paper on a topic we develop together in class. For anyone already involved in documenting some aspect of an African-American religion, the paper may be an ethnographic project. However you will have to demonstrate to me that you have entree into a community and the language skills you will need to do fieldwork. 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: Research Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS RELI

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: McAlister, E; Times: ..W.... 1:10PM- 4:00PM;; Grading Mode: A/F; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 0, Fr: 0; Major Preference Given; Permission of Instructor Required.

Last Updated on MAR-22-1999

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