Questions for Lecture  April 1

Religion across Borders and Cultures, part I

  1. “Diaspora” and “Transnational”
    1. How are the terms used?
    2. Why doesn’t Bowen want to talk about an Islamic or Christian “diaspora”?
  1. African Religions and the Atlantic
    1. Brazilian examples: Umbanda, Candomble and Macumba
    2. How are the Catholic symbols “multivocalic”?
      1. Mary example
  1. World Religions
    1. Redfield’s “Great Traditions” and “Little Traditions” (1953)
    2. How do anthropologists study “world religions”?
  1. “Syncretism” and “Nominalism”
    1. How are the terms used?
    2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of using these terms?