Anthropology 212 - Religion in Action

(Formerly offered as RELI-205/ANTH-212) Anthropology of Religions)

What does it mean to study religion from an anthropological perspective? Not so long ago, anthropologists had a clear answer. To study religion was to investigate all manner of beliefs and practices related to the supernatural or the sacred. However, in recent years, the category “religion” has been rethought in light of the term’s specific Western history, normative tendencies, and role in colonialism. The course will begin with a review of prominent efforts within anthropology to theorize religion. It will then take up these new conceptions of religion that encourage us to think differently about the ongoing role of religion in politics, the entanglements of race and religion, and secular life’s own religious roots.

Limited to 20 students. January term. Professor Girard.