ON SECULARISM (ANTH 4800, Anthropology Capstone)
Baruch College
Spring 2012
Instructor:
Email:
Class Meetings:
Office Hours:
Andrew Hernann
Andrew.Hernann@baruch.cuny.edu
Monday/Wednesday, 9:30am-10:45am, Rm VC 4-214
Mondays, 11:00am-12:00pm, Rm VC 4-260
COURSE DESCRIPTION
It has been said that the present concern with secularism is largely the result of the challenge posed by
religion in the contemporary world. For example, the religious right is seen by its opponents as an
internal revolt against modernity; political Islam/religious Muslims are seen as an alien civilization who
have intruded into a “Western space.” Secularism is complicated, more than mere “division of church
and state.” It has often been contested and in the process, both politics and religion have changed.
Secularism is an evolving political doctrine and practice, as well as a changing process for the production
of legitimate knowledge. This has helped not only to define “the secular”, but also has re-defined the
role of “religion.” Considering secularism as a category unto itself, as well as its interrelated concepts
(ie., religion, law, the state, and ethics), we will analyze some attitudes and assumptions that underlie
shifts in sensibilities that are (now) valued as secular. As the Anthropology Capstone, this course will
engage substantial anthropological theory, and require each student to conduct his/her own research
project.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Develop a deep understanding of secularism as an anthropological category;
 Build up your theoretical toolkit as a way of better understanding secularism specifically, and
the sociocultural, political and religious world you inhabit more generally;
 Familiarize yourselves with various key scholars of secularism;
 Develop a set of critical analytic skills (i.e., critical thinking, reading, writing);
 Complete a well-developed research project.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
Classroom Culture
This course covers a number of issues about which many people hold strong feelings. Everyone is
entitled to their opinion and to have a voice, and I encourage respectful debate. Part of the goal of the
class is to enable students to learn from each other and communicate their thoughts on contemporary
issues in articulate and compelling ways, so THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. Treat everyone in the classroom
with respect, regardless of whether you agree or disagree with their opinions. Intolerance, personal
attacks, slurs, insults, and any otherwise offensive language/behavior will not be tolerated.
In terms of logistics: Laptop computers are NOT permitted, and you must turn off all electronic devices.
Attendance and punctuality are not only expected, but are mandatory. Improper use of electronics,
disruptive or disrespectful behavior, and regular tardiness or absence will result in loss of credit.
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Academic Integrity
Both cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses which will NOT be tolerated by me or the College. The
work you do in this course is assumed to be your own; whether you reproduce someone else’s work
“word for word,” rephrase it, summarize it, or “borrow an idea,” you must fully cite your source. When
in doubt about citing, see the instructor. But remember, it is better to cite than to not. For more
information about how to avoid plagiarism, visit Baruch’s plagiarism tutorial at:
http://newman.baruch.cuny.edu/help/plagiarism/default.htm
Required Materials
Only one book is required. All other materials are available online on Blackboard.
This book has been pre-ordered and can be found at the Baruch Bookstore:

Asad, Talal. Formations of the Secular: Christianity, Islam, Modernity. Stanford: Stanford UP,
2003. Print.
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments are due IN CLASS on the assigned day—I do not accept electronic submissions. For each
class session that an assignment is late I will deduct 5% off the final mark. Extensions will be granted
ONLY in exceptional and documented circumstances. If you find that you are either having problems
with the material or that other circumstances are affecting your class performance, please speak with
the instructor as early as possible.
Writing Assistance
There is a moderately high level of writing required for this class. If you need assistance in this area,
please schedule an appointment with me and/or visit Baruch College’s Writing Center. For more
information, see:
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/writingcenter/
Students with Disabilities
The instructor will accommodate students with disabilities. If you feel comfortable, please inform me as
early as possible so that the proper accommodations can be made. I will certainly respect your privacy.
Also, for more information on the services Baruch College offers to students with disabilities, visit:
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityServices.htm
GRADING
Attendance
Participation
Dailies
Presentation
Research Paper
10%
10%
15%
15%
50%
Attendance AND Participation
Both attendance and participation are mandatory. This means that students not only must come to
class, but must actively engage in the material and discussions. Therefore, everyone must read the
assigned articles BEFORE class in order to fully participate and receive full credit. Everyone is allowed 2
unexcused absences. Each additional unexcused absence will negatively affect both your attendance
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and participation grade percentages. A total of five unexcused absences will automatically result in the
lowering of an entire overall letter grade. For every three subsequent unexcused absences, your grade
will be lowered an additional full letter. Also, habitual tardiness will severely affect your participation
grade. If you have obligations which will prevent you from attending class, please communicate this to
the instructor PRIOR to your absence.
Dailies
Each morning, everyone will submit a daily based on the assigned reading. Each daily consists of a one
paragraph summary (no more than 200 words) of the reading’s main arguments and at least one
question for further discussion. The purposes of this activity are to practice writing skills and to engage
the theories and ideas presented in the required readings. A successful daily demonstrates: (1) that
the student read the assigned texts, and (2) that the student is engaging ideas presented in previous
readings—along with his/her own original thoughts—to new material.
Research Paper
This course entails one major project: An anthropological analysis of a piece of legislation that in some
way relates to secularism. Choose a piece of (attempted) legislation—it could be in NYC, the state of
New York, the USA; it could be local or national in a different country; or it could be international. You
are to summarize the legislation and discuss its social, religious and legal interrelations and implications.
Connect your findings with class material (i.e., discussions, articles, etc.) and outside materials. You are
required to utilize a minimum 5 in-class readings, and a minimum 5 outside sources. There will be two
peer-review sessions prior to the project’s final submission. Be sure to begin investigating for this
project early in the semester—it is not something that can be done last minute. Further instructions to
follow.
Peer Review 1: February 29
Peer Review 2: April 18
Due Date: April 25
Presentation
At the end of the semester, students will present their findings to the class. Everybody is expected to
attend these presentations and engage in the material. Further instructions to follow.
Dates: May 7, 9, 14
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COURSE SCHEDULE
**Note: Readings and dates are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion as the semester
progresses.
INTRODUCTION
January 30
SECULARISM: DEFINITIONS
February 1
Reading
“Introduction: Thinking About Secularism” in Formations of the Secular by Talal Asad
February 6
Reading
“Secularization, Enlightenment, and Modern Religion” in Public Religions in the Modern World
(1994) by José Casanova
February 8
Reading
“Modes of Secularism” in Secularism and its Critics (1998) by Charles Taylor
February 13 – No Class, Lincoln’s Birthday Observed
February 15
Reading
“What Might an Anthropology of Secularism Look Like?” in Formations of the Secular by Talal
Asad
RELIGION
February 20 – No Class, Presidents’ Day Observed
February 21 – No Class
February 22
Reading
“Religion as a Cultural System” by Clifford Geertz
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February 27
Reading
“The Construction of Religion as an Anthropological Category” in Genealogies of Religion by Talal
Asad
February 29
Reading
“Magic, science and religion in Western Thought: anthropology’s intellectual legacy” and
“Anthropology’s intellectual legacy (continued)” in Magic, Science, Religion, and the Scope of
Rationality by Stanley Tambiah
PEER REVIEW 1, IN CLASS
March 5
Reading
“Thinking About Agency and Pain” in Formations of the Secular by Talal Asad
LAW
March 7
Reading
“Law” in Morality: An Anthropological Perspective (2008) by Jarrett Zigon
March 12
Reading
“The Economy and Social Norms” in Economy and Society (1968) by Max Weber
March 14
Reading
“Reflections on Cruelty and Torture” in Formations of the Secular by Talal Asad
March 19
Reading
“Constitutionalism, Human Rights, and Citizenship” in Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating
the Future of Shari’a (2008) by Abdullahi an-Na’im
March 21
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Reading
“Constitution” in We Have Never Been Modern (1991) by Bruno Latour
March 26
Reading
“Redeeming the ‘Human’ through Human Rights” in Formations of the Secular by Talal Asad
THE STATE
March 28
Reading
“Introduction: The Problematic of State and Nation” in Haiti: State Against Nation, Origins and
Legacy of Duvalierism (1990) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot
April 2
Reading
“Introduction: Why Muslims Need A Secular State” in Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating
the Future of Shari’a (2008) by Abdullahi an-Na’im
April 4
Reading
“Muslims as a ‘Religious Minority’ in Europe” in Formations of the Secular by Talal Asad
April 6-April 15 – No Class, Spring Recess
April 16
Reading
“Secularism, Nation-State, Religion” in Formations of the Secular by Talal Asad
April 18
Reading
-“State and Its Margins: Comparative Ethnographies” in Anthropology in the Margins of the
State (2004) by Veena Das and Deborah Poole
-“Where are the Margins of the State?” in Anthropology in the Margins of the State (2004) by
Talal Asad
PEER REVIEW 2 DUE
ETHICS, MORALITY, BEHAVIOR
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April 23
Reading
“Religious Experience Creates the World of the Modern Economy: Max Weber” in Thinking
About Religion: A Reader (2006) edited by Ivan Strenski
April 25
Reading
“Is There A Secular Body?” in Immanent Frame, SSRC web site (2010) by Charles Hirschkind
http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2010/11/15/secular-body/
RESEARCH PAPERS DUE
April 30
Reading
“Reconfigurations of Law and Ethics in Colonial Egypt” in Formations of the Secular by Talal Asad
May 2
Reading
-“Five questions that follow from re-reading Formations of the Secular and Why am I not a
Secularist” in Immanent Frame, SSRC web site by Matthew Scherer
http://blogs.ssrc.org/tif/2010/11/12/landmarks-secularism/
-Excerpts from Ain’t No Makin’ It: Aspirations and Attainment in a Low-Income Neighborhood
by MacLeod
May 7, 9, 14
CLASS PRESENTATIONS
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