ANT 252 - Anthropology of Christianity

Course Units: 1.0

(Not Offered this Academic Year) Although Christianity has its historical roots in the Mediterranean world, during its 2000 year history it has migrated to almost every geographical area of the globe giving rise to many vibrant local Christianities with distinct and culturally specific identities. While many people associate contemporary Christianity with Euro- Americans, scholars point to Christian churches dating from the 5th century in North Africa and in India. Scholars argue that the demographic center of Christianity has already shifted to the Global south. This course investigates the ways Christianity has been shaped by contact with different world cultures and the social processes and religious changes implicit in the acculturation of Christianity in diverse geographical regions and cultural contexts. Questions addresses will include: i) how has Christianity been localized in various areas of the world?; ii) what is the appeal to Pentecostalism in the global south? Is it a conservative force directing attention away from social inequalities or does it challenge social inequalities? iii) what kinds of transnational networks are formed by contemporary Christians and how do these shape new kinds of identities?; iv) what is the appeal of apparently patriarchal and conservative forms of Christianity to women, who form the majority of Christians in most areas? CC: LCC