Identity and Religion

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Traditional and non-traditional religious values and beliefs are examined as sources of meanings and individual or social identities. The processes and consequences of internalizations of specific religious values are analyzed in a variety of historical and cultural settings, with attention to the influence of religious organizations as social structures. The range of belief systems focused on in this course includes cults, sects, and denominations, as well as personal spirituality. Data from major world religions, as well as individual life histories, are resources and research materials. There will be some class discussion on identity and secularization or identity and secular religions in modern industrial societies. Links will be made between religion and family, gender, social class, race, ethnicity, education, work, politics, health, and recreation. Students will design research about their own special interests in identity and religion. Projects may include field work in Washington D.C. Local religious communities are also possible sites for research on particular aspects of identity and religious practices. Some library research is required. Students will present historical and/or cross-cultural data on major world religions. These data may be used with lectures, in class discussions, in research projects, or in the midterm exam.