Religion and Society: the Critique of Development

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture) The course will examine the rise of a secular, capitalist, technological world order in Western Europe and North America, and its impact upon the rest of the world. The contribution of Christianity to this new world order, together with its increasing marginalization, will be noted. The responses of the affected cultures and religions, in particular their critique of Western imperialism and its visions of development, and their alternative proposals, will be examined. The role of religion as a factor which inhibits or encourages social change, in different contexts, will be a main theme. Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and REL-2512.