Storied Lives: Contemporary Spiritual Biographies and the Construction of Identity

3 credits · Undergraduate

(3 hrs Seminar/Discussion) In this course students will be introduced to the current social scientific reflection on the "life history" as a means of understanding individuals and contextualizing the larger notions of "religious traditions" and "culture". Specifically, we will consider the ways people construct and maintain their religious identities through weaving their own experiences into a narrative which includes other individuals and institutions. In addition to considering this method theoretically, students will have an opportunity to employ this tool in the context of fieldwork. Cross-listed: REL-3601(3). Restrictions: Department Permission Required. Students may not hold credit for this course and REL-3601. Requisite Courses: 6 credit hours in Religion & Culture and permission of the Department Chair [prerequisite(s)].