- 450 Level: Advanced (ADV)
- History
Grade: 11, 12
Spring
PREREQ: Starting with the Class of 2028, completion of both History 200 courses and one 300-level History course
Sociologist Max Weber described the process of modernization as “the disenchantment of the world,” leading to a world governed by rational logic, programmable machines and a natural order transparent to human understanding — but, most importantly, with a negligible place for religion with all its mysteries and contingencies. In this course, we will explore the many ways in which the modern world continues to be enchanted by gods and magic globally. We will explore the emergence of the European notion of “religion” in the early modern period in the context of European exploration and imperialism, as well as the impact of this terminology on systems of thought and politics that did not align with its assumptions — such as Hinduism, Confucianism and Buddhism. From there, we will explore the centrality of religious institutions, ideas and language in the modern world, focusing particularly on the rise of political Islam in the Middle East, Indigenous religions in Africa and the Americas, and the explosion of charismatic and evangelical communities throughout the global south. Assessments will include graded discussions, analytical essays, an annotated bibliography and a final culminating research project organized around a creative argument built on student interest.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12