Description

According to some estimates, one half of the world's population now lives in an urban setting. While some North American cities have undergone massive decline, urban zones in Asia, South America and Africa have seen explosive and unprecedented growth. This seminar is an exploration of the ethical and social issues that have arisen as a result of that decline and growth. In particular, we shall concentrate our attention on the movements, performances, choreographies, and disciplines of bodies (human and otherwise) as they navigate those various urban environments. Seminar sessions shall be devoted to a number of urban "sites," noting the bodily performances or rituals called forth within those sites. Among those sites are industrial spaces, impoverished streetscapes, theatrical/utopian spaces, medical spaces, ritual or sacred spaces, and finally the body itself as a kind of construction site. Readings will draw from Marxist and Frankfurt School theorists, as well as queer, posthuman, and religious studies texts. In addition, different forms of expression and creativity such as films, novels, and performance art shall be considered throughout the course as we account for the complex ways urban systems work on bodies.

Enrollment Limited: No
Open to BTI Students: Yes

Scheduling

0.50 credits
Spring 2012
Mon 2pm-4pm
Course location to be announced.

Relationship to Program Requirements

Program Requirement	Area / Category / Art / Designation
MTS Area(s) of Focus	Comparative Studies Religion, Ethics, and Politics Religion and the Social Sciences
MDiv Distribution Category/ies	Non-Tradition Specific
MDiv Art(s) of Ministry	None
Language Course Designation(s)	None