Nov 21, 2024  
2015-2016 SGPP Catalog and Handbook 
    
2015-2016 SGPP Catalog and Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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AFST586 Sociology of Development/Underdevelopment and African Religion (4 cr.)


The course presupposes that until recently religion was seen from various perspectives as insignificant in the economic and political dimensions of life. Many Marxists dismissed it as a mere ideological tool of the ruling classes over the poor. Modernizers on the other hand saw the connection at most as an indirect one with religion contributing to the changing of people’s attitudes and personalities. This course aims at showing the direct connection between religion and the economic and political development of the peoples of East Africa. It does this based upon a theoretical framework of articulated modes of production. Both the explicit and implicit connections between traditional, Christian, and Islamic religions with economic and political development are explored. Students also participate in field research aimed at understanding the various approaches to development at both micro and macro levels. This includes interviews with ministerial level personnel and international aid agencies as well as people involved in grassroots socioeconomic projects.



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