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67829-01 - Course: The Afro-Atlantic: Religious Traditions and Societal Frameworks (4 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Zainabu Jallo (zainabu.jallo@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | From Orisha-Shango of Trinidad and Tobago, Haitian Vodou, Cuban Santeria and Palo Monte, Rastafari and Obeah in Jamaica to Matriz Africana religions of Brazil, this course offers an expansive introduction to major themes in the study of religions and cultures of the Afro-Atlantic. It examines the spiritual, socio-political and economic experiences of select African-derived religions outside of Africa, as well as their cosmologies, beliefs, ceremonial structures, and ritual performances. In addition, this course explores prominent themes in studying Afro-Caribbean religions through objects, literature, music, art and film. |
| Learning objectives | The Afro-Atlantic: Religions and Societies aims to provide students with introductions to the various frameworks of religious thought in the Afro-Atlantic. Overall, students will: • demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental practices, epistemologies, and vocabulary of religious studies. • develop postures of learning through objects in Afro-Atlantic traditions. • through explorations of ethnographic field reports, videos, films, and readings, students will become familiar with the challenging and diverse historical, social, and cultural developments of Afro-Atlantic religious and cultural forms. • Become familiar with various theoretical approaches to the study of diasporic religions. • Cultivate skills in critical reading, research, and writing. |
| Bibliography | Gilroy, Paul (1999): The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Murrell, Nathaniel Samuel (2010): Afro-Caribbean Religions: An Introduction to Their Historical, Cultural, and Sacred Traditions. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Throst, Theodore Louis, (ed. ) (2016): The African Diaspora and the Study of Religion. Palgrave Macmillan. |
| Language of instruction | German |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 19.02.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 26.02.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 05.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 12.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Fasnachstferien |
| Wednesday 19.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 26.03.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 02.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 09.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 16.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 23.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 30.04.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 07.05.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 14.05.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 21.05.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Wednesday 28.05.2025 | 14.15-16.00 | Ethnologie, grosser Seminarraum |
| Modules |
Modul: Antike / monotheistische / aussereuropäische Religionen (Bachelor's degree subject: Study of Religion) Modul: Einführung in die Ethnographie einer Grossregion (Bachelor's degree subject: Anthropology) Modul: Erweiterung Gesellschaftswissenschaften B.A. (Bachelor's degree subject: Political Science) Module: Basics: Religion (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Europeanization and Globalization (Master's Studies: European Global Studies) Module: Fields: Media and Imagination (Master's degree program: African Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | 1. Regular attendance and active participation in class. 2. Critical reading response+ presentations. Presentations will draw upon references mentioned within the text and you can introduce references of your choice related to the overarching theme(s) of the session. 3. Written exam. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Ethnologie |