AAS 406B - Women Ethnographers of Black Atlantic Religions

This course will introduce students to the African-Derived religious traditions of the US, the Caribbean and Brazil through the writings of women ethnographers in the 1930’s through the 1970’s. Although derided as “unscientific” at the time of their writing, these ethnographers were retrospectively hailed as pioneers of feminist anthropology and narrative ethnography after they left the field. This course will confront issues of sexuality, race and gender in African-American religions as well as the politics of ethnographic research and writing. Authors covered will include Katherine Dunham, Zora Neale Hurston, Ruth Landes and Lydia Cabrera as well as the critical contemporary and modern responses to their writings. Assignments include active participation in class discussion, one group presentation, and a 20-page research paper.

Credits: 3