RELG/AAS 343 (001)
Religions of the African Diaspora
T, Th 1:15-2:30 p
Humanities 316
Professor Stephanie Y. Mitchem
371 Close Hipp
[email protected]
803-466-4669
Office hours: By appt.
Required texts
Section 1. On Blackboard, you will find these excerpts from these books:
Wande Abimbola, Ifa will mend our broken world
Sophie Bosede Oluwole, Socrates and Orunmila
Kamari Maxine Clark, Mapping Yoruba Networks
In addition, essay on Blackboard: “Rural women in Bahia”
Section 2. (bookstore) Dianne M. Stewart, Three Eyes for the Journey
Section 3. (bookstore) LeRhonda Manigault-Bryant, Talking to the Dead
IN addition, several books are available on reserve at Thomas Cooper Library.
They will be needed for one of your assignments.
Recommended materials:
Adinkra symbols: http://afroetic.com/adinkra-symbols/;
http://www.adinkra.org/htmls/adinkra_index.htm
ATLAS—visualization aids:
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/af.htm (African countries, atlas)
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/samerica/br.htm (Brazil atlas)
These atlases also available in the World Atlas site: Countries &
Territories Of The Caribbean
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Anegada (UK),
Anguilla (UK),
Antigua & Barbuda ,
Aruba (Neth),
Bahamas,
Barbados,
Bonaire (Neth),
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Cancun (MX),
Cayman Islands (UK),
Cozumel (MX),
Cuba,
Curacao (Neth),
Dominica,
Dominican Republic,
Grenada,
Guadeloupe (France),
Haiti,
Isla Mujeres (MX),
Isla de Providencia (Col),
Jamaica,
Jost Van Dyke (UK),
Martinique (France),
Montserrat (UK),
Netherlands Antilles (Neth),
Puerto Rico (US),
Saba (Neth),
St. Barts (France),
St. Croix (US),
St. Eustatius (Neth),
St. John (US),
St. Kitts & Nevis,
St. Lucia,
St. Martin/Sint Maarten (Neth) (France),
St. Thomas (US),
St. Vincent & Grenadines,
San Andres (Col),
Tortola (UK),
Trinidad & Tobago,
Turks & Caicos (UK),
Virgin Islands (British),
Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Course Overview:
This introductory course will consider religions of the African Diaspora. To trace
these complex views, we will focus on three overlapping sections: Africa/Brazil; the
Caribbean; and the United States. There will be some common themes between the
religious concepts of black people in these regions. We will consider three religious
strands that sometimes overlap in these regions: African indigenous; Islam; and
Christianity. While the focus of this course is contemporary, analysis of some
historical strands will provide contexts for our studies.
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Learning objectives:
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
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name some cultural aspects of African Diasporan religions;
identify political dimensions of African Diasporan religions; and,
provide nuanced and sophisticated analyses of African Diasporan religions.
Requirements and Assignments:
Attendance and informed participation. Make sure to read materials, by their due
dates!
Three essay tests, one at the end of each section of study (through Blackboard), 30
points each, for a total of 90 points.
One brief (2-3 pages) paper with references that extends your study of one section.
Select from materials available on reserve. Papers are due 1 week after the end of a
section of study for sections 1 and 2. For section 3, papers are due the last day of
class. At the beginning of the term, we will have a discussion of these independent
papers. 10 points.
Total points possible: 100
Final grading scale (adding points as indicated for each assignment):
A
100-91
B
90-81
C+
80-75
C
74-65
D
64-55
F
54 and below
Readings and Due dates:
January 12, 2016
Introductions
14
Lecture: Maps and intellectual history
19-21
Section 1 readings
26-28
Culture, symbols, politics
3
February 2-4
Osogbo video and discussions
9-11
SECTION1 TEST DUE, 2/11 (preparation on the 9th)
16-18
Section 2: Caribbean—maps, history, challenges; Video,
Debt (If you choose the independent paper for Section 1,
it is due on the 18th)
23-25
March 1-3
Three eyes
Three eyes, continued
8-10
SPRING BREAK!
15-17
Three eyes, continued
22-24
SECTION 2 TEST DUE, 3-24 (preparation on the 22nd)
29-31
U.S. context; video?; identities (If you choose an
independent paper on Section 2, it is due March 31)
April 5-7
Talking to
12-14
Talking to
19-21
Wrap up, discussions. (If you choose an independent
paper for section 3, it is due April 21)
SECTION 3 test due NO LATER THAN Tuesday, May 3 at 12:30 p.m.
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