Religion and Popular Culture

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Lecture) This course considers the place of religion in North American popular culture. It explores how elements of popular culture (e.g., radio and television programs, compact discs, films, videos, and fashion) influence the ways many people conceive of religion and its role in their lives. Through this exploration, students will develop critical skills necessary to analyze ambiguous cultural phenomena, examining both the ways religious traditions are depicted in popular culture, and how religions respond to the values and beliefs implicit in popular culture itself.