REL 67 Religion And Imperialism
An examination of the impact of imperial expansion on the religious systems of the conquered. The course will focus primarily on the religious consequences of European expansion in North America and Africa but will also examine Jewish responses to Roman imperialism at the time of Jesus. We shall examine the attempts of traditional religious leaders to explain and control the imperial presence as well as the development of new religious movements that grew out of spiritual crises of conquest. This course will examine various types of prophetic movements and revitalization movements that developed in response to conquest as people sought to preserve their cultural identities in the face of their forced integration into imperial systems. Issues of conversion to religions associated with the conquerors as well as the challenges of secular culture will be discussed. Open to all.
Instructor
Baum
Cross Listed Courses
ANTH 12.15