AFRS 330 - Religion, Critical Theory and Politics

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

(Same as RELI 330) Advanced study in selected aspects of religion and contemporary philosophical and political theory. May be taken more than once for credit when content changes.

Topic for 2021/22a: Race and Political Theology. “Political theology” has emerged as a crucial notion in the humanities. Most narrowly, political theology refers to Carl Schmitt’s claim that all “significant political concepts” of the modern nation-state have theological and religious roots. How has the concept of “race”–a significant political concept–been structured, constructed, and influenced by theological and religious ideas? In what ways are constructions of race rooted in theological concepts and histories? How has religion been instrumental to constructing Blackness and whiteness? How did religious categories fuel and sanction the colonization of Native Americans? Critically, we also ask if political theology offers tools and resources with which to fight back against the nation-state’s racialized political theology. How have those pursuing racial justice crafted counter-insurgent political theologies to seek freedom in the face of state-sponsored sovereignty? Jonathon Kahn.

One 2-hour period.

Course Format: CLS