HIST 4807 Religious Freedom in South Asia and Middle East

Fulfills the LAMA requirement for History Majors and MinorsIs the freedom to change ones religion a basic human right, or does it actually harm the societies wishing to preserve their religious heritage? This course begins by discussing colonialism in South Asia and the Middle East and its relationship to Catholic and Protestant missionary and humanitarian projects. Rising Western power during the twentieth century created the impression that Britain, the United States and France were leveraging their power to Christianize predominantly Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim societies. The course examines case studies from colonial and postcolonial societies relating to conversion, blasphemy, and contested interpretations of religious freedom.