REL 4382:  RELIGION AND POLITICS IN LATIN AMERICA
Spring 2021
Tuesdays 4th/Thursdays 4-5th periods

Instructor: Anna Peterson
Tel. 273-2936; fax 392-7395; e-mail: annap@ufl.edu
Office: 105 Anderson Hall (Mailbox in 107 Anderson)
Office Hours: By Zoom and phone, by appointment

OVERVIEW
	In the past two decades or so, Latin America and the Caribbean have been fruitful research sites for scholars interested in the interactions between religion and politics, understood in a variety of ways. This course examines varied theoretical approaches to the study of religion and politics in the region, across different time periods, religious traditions, countries, and issues.  Among the topics we will explore are religion and politics in pre-colonial societies, the lingering impact of colonialism, millenarian movements, the political implications of growing religious diversity, and religion’s role in contemporary social movements.

POLICIES, RULES, AND RESOURCES
1.  Attendance and Participation:  Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies, found in the online catalog at: https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/regulations/info/attendance.aspx. 
Please let me know about any planned absences (for religious holidays, athletic events, or other reasons) as soon as possible.  For unplanned absences (due to illness or emergency), please let me know as soon as possible and provide documentation (e.g, doctor’s note).

2. Online students, please read and follow the Netiquette Guide for Online Courses, produced by the UF Center for Teaching Excellence. Many of the tips in this guide are appropriate for students in the classroom, as well. 

3. Make-up policy: I will arrange for a make-up or early in-class exam only with sufficient notice.  If you do not receive an extension from the instructor, assignment will be marked down a half grade (e.g., from B+ to B) for each day late.
4.  Honor Code: The honor code applies to this and all courses taken at UF: “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity. On all work submitted for credit by students at the university, the following pledge is either required or implied: On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment” (https://archive.catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/1617//advising/info/student-honor-code.aspx).
The university specifically prohibits cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, bribery, conspiracy, and fabrication.  Any student(s) demonstrated to have cheated, plagiarized, or otherwise violated the Honor Code in any assignment for this course will fail the course.  In addition, violations of the Academic Honesty Guidelines may result in judicial action and sanctions, as specified in the Student Conduct Code (https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/process/student-conduct-code/).
5.  Accommodation for Disabilities: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office.  The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student, who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.

6.  Counseling and Emergency Resources: Please let me know if you need support facing challenges that affect your academic performance.  There are many resources available for students, and I will be glad to help you get the assistance you need in order to thrive at UF. Some resources include: 
a. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling; 
b. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling; 
c. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling;
d. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling. 
e. For security issues, please contact the University Police Department: 392-1111, or 911 for general emergencies.

7.  Software Use:  All faculty, staff, and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use.  Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator.  Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.

8.  Privacy:  Our class sessions may be audio visually recorded for students in the class to refer back and for enrolled students who are unable to attend live. Students who participate with their camera engaged or utilize a profile image are agreeing to have their video or image recorded.  If you are unwilling to consent to have your profile or video image recorded, be sure to keep your camera off and do not use a profile image. Likewise, students who un-mute during class and participate orally are agreeing to have their voices recorded.  If you are not willing to consent to have your voice recorded during class, you will need to keep your mute button activated and communicate exclusively using the "chat" feature, which allows students to type questions and comments live. The chat will not be recorded or shared. As in all courses, unauthorized recording and unauthorized sharing of recorded materials is prohibited.

Full instructions and assignment details, including evaluation criteria, will be provided for each of the out of class essays at least ten days before the due date. 

ASSIGNMENTS
1.  Active, informed participation in class discussions, either in person or via Zoom meetings.  

2.  Group presentation and research report, on selected issue.  Date TBD.  20% of final grade. 

2.  Take-home essay exam due 2/21. 25% of final grade.

3.  Review essay due 4/4. 25% of final grade.

4.  Final Exam. 30% of final grade. Date TBA according to university exam schedule.

REQUIRED BOOKS
Other readings will be posted on Canvas.

1.  David Carrasco, City of Sacrifice: The Aztec Empire and the Role of Violence in Civilization (Beacon, 2000) 978-0807046432

2. Martha Few, Women Who Live Evil Lives: Gender, Religion, and the Politics of Power in Colonial Guatemala (Texas, 2002) 978-0292725492

3. Todd Diacon, Millenarian Vision, Capitalist Reality: Brazil’s Contestado Rebellion, 1912-1916 (Duke, 1991) 978-0822311676

4.  Rowan Ireland, Kingdoms Come: Religion and Politics in Brazil (Pitt, 1992)
5.  Joseph Murphy, Santería: African Religions in America (Beacon, 1993)

SCHEDULE

Module One:  Introduction to the Class
Tues 1/12	Introduction to the class

Th 1/14	Michel Gobat, “The Invention of Latin America: A Transnational History of Anti-Imperialism, Democracy, and Race.” The American Historical Review 118, no. 5 (Dec. 2013), 1345-1375  

Module Two: Precolonial Religion and Politics
Tues 1/19	Carrasco, City of Sacrifice, Introduction and Ch. 1

Th 1/21	Carrasco, City of Sacrifice, Ch. 2-3

Tues 1/26	 Carrasco, City of Sacrifice, Ch. 4-5

Th 1/28 	Carrasco, City of Sacrifice, Ch. 6-8

Module Three: Religion and Politics in the Colonial Period
Tu 2/2		Few, Women Who Live Evil Lives, Ch. 1

Th 2/4		Few, Women Who Live Evil Lives, Ch. 2-3

Tu 2/9		Few, Women Who Live Evil Lives, Ch. 4

Th 2/11	Few, Women Who Live Evil Lives, Ch. 5-6

Tu 2/16	Burns, “Gender and the Politics of Mestizaje: The Convent of Santa Clara in Cuzco, Peru.” The Hispanic American Historical Review 78, No. 1 (Feb., 1998), 5-44

Th 2/18	Silverblatt, “New Christians and New World Fears in Seventeenth-Century Peru.” Comparative Studies in Society and History 42, No. 3 (Jul., 2000), 524-546 

Take-home essay due Sunday, 2/21 by midnight

Module Four: Millenarianism
Tu 2/23	Patricia Pessar, “Three Moments in Brazilian Millenarianism: The Interrelationship 			between Politics and Religion.” Luso-Brazilian Review 28, No. 1 (Summer, 1991), 			95-116 

Th 2/25	Robert Levine, “Canudos in the National Context.” The Americas 48, No. 2 (Oct., 		1991), 207-222 

Tu 3/2		Diacon, Millenarian Vision, Capitalist Reality, Ch. 1

Th 3-4		Diacon, Millenarian Vision, Capitalist Reality, Ch. 2-4

Tu 3/9		Diacon, Millenarian Vision, Capitalist Reality, Ch. 5-6

Th 3/11 	Diacon, Millenarian Vision, Capitalist Reality, Ch. 7

Module Five: Catholics, Pentecostals, and Politics
Tu 3/16	Mary Roldán, “Acción Cultural Popular, Responsible Procreation, and the Roots 			of Social Activism in Rural Colombia.” Latin American Research Review 49 			(2014), 27-44 

Th 3/18	Leila Celis and Victoria Furio, “The Legacy of Liberation Theology in Colombia: 		The Defense of Life and Territory.” Latin American Perspectives 43, No. 3 (May 			2016), 69-84

Tu 3/23	Ireland, Kingdoms Come, Ch. 1-2

Th 3/25	Ireland, Kingdoms Come, Ch. 3-4

Tu 3/30	Ireland, Kingdoms Come, Ch. 5-6

Th. 4/1 	Ireland, Kingdoms Come, Ch. 7-8

Review essay due Sunday, 4/4, by midnight

Module Six: Ethnicity, Race, and Gender 
Tu 4/6		Murphy, Santería: African Spirits in America, Part 1 

Th. 4/8		Murphy, Santería: African Spirits in America, Part 2

Tu 4/13	Murphy, Santería: African Spirits in America, Part 3

Th. 4/15	Jalane Schmidt, “The Antidote to Wall Street? Cultural and Economic Mobilizations of Afro-Cuban Religions.” Latin American Perspectives 43, No. 3 (May 2016), 163-185

Tu 4/20 	Ruth Chojnacki, “Religion, Autonomy, and the Priority of Place in Mexico's Maya Highlands.” Latin American Perspectives 43, No. 3 (May 2016), 31-50

FINAL EXAM:  TBD (according to UF official final exam schedule)