Age of Aquarius: The Spiritual Revolutions of the 1960s

Undergraduate / Graduate

Religion underwent significant changes in the 1960s, both in the United States and around the world. These changes could be seen and heard not only in houses of worship but also in street protests, political rallies, and even rock concerts. This course will introduce students to the momentous shifts that made "the Sixties" a watershed era in American religion. By focusing on primary sources-including films, music, and books-we will examine the major cultural, intellectual, and social trends that reshaped religion during this time. Topics will include the role of religion in the civil rights movement, the growing popularity of Buddhism, Hinduism, and other Asian religions, the transformation of the Catholic Church as a result of Vatican II, the re-emergence of a "New Age" movement and attendant fears about "cults," and the surging power of evangelical Christianity.