Middlebury

RELI 0339

Christians in Modern MidEast

Christians in the Modern Middle East
In the Middle East, Christians have faced fast-paced political, economic, and religious transformations. Focusing on indigenous communities such as Copts, Greek Orthodox, Armenians, Assyrians, and Maronites, we will explore Christianity’s place in the region, from the nineteenth century up to the present. Against the backdrop of a waning Ottoman Empire, mounting European colonialism, and the rise of nationalism and Islamism, we will investigate Christians’ status as minorities, who have at times been privileged and at other times been marginalized, exiled, and shunned. We will also pay attention to the ways in which Western governments and Christian missionaries have transformed the lives of Middle Eastern Christians in their quest for evangelism, apocalypticism, and regional domination. Class sources will include memoirs, novels, and films. 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Subject:
Religion
Department:
Religion
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
AAL HIS MDE SOC
Equivalent Courses:
HIST 0339 *

Sections in Fall 2023, School Abroad Spain (Madrid)

Fall 2023

RELI0339A-F23 Lecture (Armanios)