Religion presents problems and opportunities for historians.  On the one hand, religious consciousness undermines the essentially materialist categories we often use to understand change and agency.  On the other hand, religion and the religious offer an exciting wealth of source material on mentality and ideology, and on the ways individuals, groups, and even whole societies imagine their essential qualities.  One might say that by undermining pedestrian historical narratives, religion animates historiography.

This seminar is designed to introduce students to the double-edged sword of religion in history, and to ways of understanding religion historically.  Part One examines the intersections of philosophy of history, historiography, religion, and myth.  Part Two introduces us to major contributions to the anthropology and sociology of religion and their importance for history.  Part Three samples recent work in the historiography of conversion and religious transformation.

A schedule of readings are given in the table below.   Most of the texts will be available at Atticus; there will also be a photocopy packet available at the Mail Center on College Street.  Some of the readings in the first week are on line at the websites listed in the syllabus.

The mechanics of (and grade for) the seminar:

• Answers to questions (40%).  All students will submit very brief answers to a specific question for each week.  There are eleven weeks of readings, the ten best answers will count toward the final grade for each student.  The brief answers are due no later than noon on the day of the seminar.  These must be typed and may be submitted over the email.  Points will be subtracted for lateness and sloppy writing.  These answers will be both a foundation from which students may advance their views in discussion, and also an opportunity for students to gradually refine key concepts for deployment in the final research paper (see below).

• Presentations (10%).  In weeks 1-5, two or three students (depending on the size of the seminar) will make oral presentations.  The object is to tell the seminar who the authors are and why they are important, to their contemporaries and to us.  This will help us contextualize the work we read in terms of its (and the author's) contribution to the humanities and social sciences.  Gossipy biographical details about the author are welcome insofar as they are relevant to our understanding of the work.  In addition to being purely informative, these presentations will serve to inspire preliminary questions and discussion.  Students are encouraged to supplement their presentations with illustrations, quotes, maps, handouts, etc.  In addition to quality of content, the ability to organize ideas and communicate them orally will be evaluated.  Students are not required to submit answers on the week in which they give a presentation.  Responsibilities will be divided up on 1 February.

• Final research paper (40%).  Students will write a research paper (approx. 15-20 pages) on a topic of their choice with the consultation of the instructor.  Topics will be finalized by the beginning of spring break.  The final week of the semester is left free to aid students in completing the last minute details.  The object is to apply the analytical tools you have acquired throughout the semester to mount a sustained argument about religion in the past.  The papers will be graded according to their historiographical awareness; the breadth, appropriateness, and use of evidence; and the clarity of argument.  The papers are due at 4 p.m. on the last day of classes, 9 May.

 
• Attendance and Participation (10%).  Students are expected to attend every session and take active part in the discussion, and will be graded on the level and tenor of their contributions to the seminar deliberations.