REL 3000 - Religion and Popular Culture: Spirituality in Movies, Music, Sports, and Fandom

Goals: This course will investigate the following questions: What is religion and in what ways does it impact people’s lives? In what ways can religion be found not only in churches, synagogues and mosques, but also in movie theaters and concert stages, football fields and fandom? What methods should be used to study religion and what theories best explain it?

Content: Students will study approaches to religion from a wide range of fields, including psychology, theology, anthropology, sociology, philosophy and history, as well as feminist and postmodern approaches. They will investigate religious phenomena in diverse contexts, from the totemistic rituals of aboriginal groups to contemporary popular culture.

Prerequisite: One previous religion course, grade of C- or higher

Credits: 4