U.S. Cults:Relig Extrem/Meanin

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Religious extremism is a reaction to the perceived chaos and loneliness of modern life, and understanding why people join and how people leave is crucial. This course will take a socio-psychological approach to understanding how cults in America originate, who is attracted to joining, and the legal issues cults generate. We will explore such issues as: -Are cults protected under ‘religious liberty’ laws? -What defines a religion? -Why are some cults prone to violence? Is ‘brainwashing’ an actual phenomenon? -Are cults always ‘bad’?