REL 1.12 Race and Religion: Jews, Christians, and Colonialism
Where does the notion of “race” come from? Is religion a source of racial oppression or a tool for social liberation? This course considers the historic role that scriptural exegesis and religious ideologies have played in the construction of racial categories– ideas that have been used to sacralize slavery, genocide, and colonial conquest for centuries—and conversely, the role of religion in dismantling racial hierarchies in the post-colonial period. We begin with a substantial unit on the racialization of Judaism and then turn to a series of comparative case studies engaging primarily Christian, but also Hindu, Muslim, and Native American contexts. Utilizing a global approach, we will read anthropological, historical, literary, and theological writings to consider the dynamic interaction of religion and race. This course will also challenge students to speak and write critically about contemporary racial justice struggles from a religious studies perspective.
Instructor
Feldman