ANTH& 234 - Religion and Culture

5 Credits
This course is an anthropological exploration of religion. Using a combination of classical and contemporary works, students explore how religion is understood and lived by different people, how it shapes culture and cultural perceptions, and how it manifests in various political and cultural expression, including in popular culture. Additionally, the class examines how religions are informed by historical and cultural change, and how they position different groups of people in relation to their respective sociopolitical worlds, with themes such as religion as a cultural system; ritual and symbols, gender, sexuality and religion; religion and media’ secularism; and religion in a post-9/11 United States.

General education distribution area: Social Science.

Course Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts, such as belief, ritual and symbols.
Describe, interpret and compare religious phenomena within various cultures.
Gain an appreciation for religious and cultural diversity.
Analyze intersections of religion and the various cultural dimensions in written assignments.
Read scholarly works critically and carefully.
Hone research and writing skills.