Two forces are increasingly at work in shaping the modern world: urbanization and religiosity. This is especially true on the African continent where the post-independence state has been characterized by great migrations towards urban centers and where religion has offered compelling narratives of modernity. In this class, we will explore how the religious practices of city residents are shaping African cities and how the contingencies of urban living are influencing both long-standing religious traditions and newly emerging religions. As our explorations take us across the African continent and through the African Diaspora, we will come into contact with African and African-derived belief systems (such as Yoruba Orisha devotion and Haitian Vodou) as well as African Islam and Christianity.

Required Texts: A course reader with the required readings will be available for purchase at Accu-Copy (518 East William St., 769-8338). Readings will also be posted on CTools.

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