African Religion in the New World Dr. Ashley Coleman Taylor Course Description: Often interpreted as witchcraft, superstition, or paganism, Africana religions remain some of the most misunderstood traditions in the Americas. In this course, we will explore the contributions of scholars and artists who engage African diaspora religions in their work through multiple conceptual approaches. The course focus includes topics such as ritual and material culture, corporeality and aesthetics, cosmology and philosophy, and decolonization and sovereignty within the traditions. Students can expect to gain an understanding of Kongo, Vodun, and Yoruba-based traditions across the Americas and the Caribbean as well as U.S. conjure culture. Course Objectives: At the conclusion of the semester, students will be able to: • Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Africana religions and how they differ from Western religions • Understand the role of Africana religion in the creation of a diasporic consciousness • Demonstrate critical thinking skills through engaging in class discussions, developing coherent arguments through writing, and presenting a creative project • Develop a nuanced understanding of Africana religions including their rituals, cosmologies, communities, and beliefs • Course Breakdown: Class Participation and Attendance: 15% Unit Response Papers: 30% Community Talk Reflection: 15% Student-led Discussion: 10% Creative Project 30% (Including proposal and written description) GENERAL GUIDELINES Plagiarism and Academic Integrity (From https://ugs.utexas.edu/flags/faculty-resources/teaching/syllabus) Using someone else’s work in your own writing without giving proper credit is considered plagiarism, a serious form of academic dishonesty that can result in severe penalties. Copying someone else’s work, buying a paper and submitting it as your own, copying and pasting text (even with changes), or borrowing images from an online source, are some examples of plagiarism. Even if you plagiarize accidentally, you can be held responsible and penalized. Learning to cite sources appropriately is an important part of becoming a professional. When you are unsure about citation, you are encouraged to ask your instructor (who is already an expert in the discipline) what is appropriate in the context of your assignment. Consultants at The University Writing Center can also help you determine whether you are citing sources correctly—and they have helpful guides online for using direct quotations and paraphrasing. Reviewing those skills will help you feel confident that you are handling sources professionally in your writing. You can read the University’s definition of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty in Sec. 11–402 of the Student Conduct Code. For more information, visit the Dean of Students’ site. Title IX: If you have experienced any form of sexual or gender-based harassment or violence, dating or domestic violence, or anything else which has made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, I encourage you to talk to any faculty or staff member. Please note that we are obligated as mandatory reporters to notify administrators who specialize in these types of situations. The University’s Title IX office is available to support you. Should you feel the need, you can contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) for additional help with mental health and/or high-stress concerns. Accessibility: Accessibility concerns often present issues in both private and public spaces. University faculty a staff strive to provide necessary accommodations and assistance so that individuals with various abilities can access programs, services and facilities on campus. If you find that you need accommodations, please provide a letter notifying me of your needs. This letter can be obtained from Services for Students with Disabilities, located in the Student Services Building. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-4641 TTY, or visit their website at: www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd/. Flags: This course satisfies the requirements of the Global Cultures flag. You can expect to learn about diverse global cultures and perspectives. CLASSROOM GUIDELINES Attendance: All students are expected to attend each class. You are allowed TWO unexcused absences. All other unexcused absences will result in an automatic point deduction from the student’s “Class Participation” grade. Please be on time; extreme tardiness will be counted as an absence. Classroom Ethics: The topics in this course may be difficult to discuss and there may be moments where our conversations can become complicated and rather heated. Respect, civility, and decency are mandatory for this class and our time together. Listen attentively and proactively when others are speaking and be respectful when engaging one another in discussion. Each of us is here to learn and engage in healthy academic exchange. Acknowledge that some participants may have experiences that are different than your own. Please listen to the perspectives of others while remaining grounded in the course readings and academic contributions of the authors. Inclusivity: At its core, this course embraces a multiplicity of voices and perspectives. As such, it adheres to the principles of diversity and inclusion integral to the academic community. As such, we invite class participants to share their perspectives in the classroom environment which fosters healthy academic dialogue. We also understand that encountering people and ideas that challenge one’s strongly held beliefs and perspectives is a defining and invaluable feature of a university education. I invite your feedback on ways that we can, as a community of learners, respectfully and productively assist and challenge one another in our individual and collective academic growth. For a start, if you wish, please let me and the class know your preferred name and pronouns. Course evaluations: Students in this class are expected to complete course evaluations. Near the end of the semester, you will receive an email with a link to an on-line evaluation form. Your evaluation of the course is extremely valuable to me, the Department of Religious Studies, and the administration; I take your feedback seriously and will use it to try to improve the course. Electronics: YOU CANNOT BE FULLY PRESENT AND ON YOUR ELECTONIC DEVICE. Please refrain from cell phone and computer usage during class unless you have accommodations cleared through the professor. You may bring in daily readings on a tablet, but please disarm your wireless and detach your keyboard. If I see you on your phone, I will deduct points from your participation grade. Written Assignments: All written assignments should be typed in Word with Times New Roman 12pt font, double-spaced, and with one-inch margins. Your work will be graded on the clarity and technical proficiency of your writing in addition to content. Incorrect spelling and grammar will negatively impact your grade. I strongly encourage you to use the services offered by the University Writing Center. The UWC offers 45-minute, one-on-one consultations with UT students on any piece of writing. You may visit up to three times per assignment. The consultants are well trained, and the cost of the service is covered in your tuition. If you wish to make an appointment, you may do so through the UWC website: uwc.utexas.edu. Late Work: Daily assignments, quizzes, and presentations will not be accepted late. Major assignments like essays will be accepted late at a penalty of 10 points per day (1 day late, and your grade starts at a 90; 2 days late, and your grade starts at a 80). A paper or project turned in on the due date but late in the class period or after class is still considered late. I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE FINAL PAPERS. Texts: Your required textbook can be found in the Co-op. All other texts will be posted on Canvas. Grade Assignments: 93 to 100 A 73 to 76 C 90 to 92 A- 70 to 72 C- 87 to 89 B+ 67 to 69 D+ 83 to 86 B 63 to 66 D 80 to 82 B- 60 to 62 D- 77 to 79 C+ 0 to 59 F **PLEASE NOTE: I ONLY DISCUSS GRADES IN PERSON, DURING OFFICE HOURS.** Required Texts: 1) Murphy, Joseph M. Working the Spirit: Ceremonies of the African Diaspora. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 2003. 2) Olmos, Margarite Fernández and Lizabeth Paravisini-Gebert. Creole Religions of the Caribbean: An Introduction from Vodou and Santería to Obeah and Espiritismo. New York: New York University Press, 2011. CLASS SCHEDULE (Deviations may be necessary in order to benefit all of us. I will number each revised syllabus accordingly, changes will be noted in red) DATE Introductions, Grounding, Intentions WEEK ONE TUESDAY January 21 In Class Discussion: *Debra Majeed, “How is Religion Studied?” *John Mbiti, “The African Heritage,” “What is African Religion?” “Where African Religion is Unit One: Invocation Found” “African Views of the Universe” In THURSDAY January 23 Introduction to African Religions *Tiffany Patterson and Robin Kelley, “Unfinished Migrations: Reflections on the WEEK TWO African Diaspora and the Making of the Modern TUESDAY January 28 World” *Brent Edward Hayes, “Diaspora” Hucks and Diakite, “Africana Religious Studies: Toward a Transdisciplinary Agenda in an Emerging Field” (p.28-44) THURSDAY January 30 COMMUNITY TALK #1: Dr. Brent Crosson and Melena Francis Valdez- “At the Crossroads: The Music and Philosophy of African Religions in Cuba, Trinidad, and Texas” Part of the Religion in Public Event Series, George Washington Carver Museum 6:30