Religion and Technology

Catalog description

This course helps students understand the complex relationship between religion and technology. Religions that reject technology are the exception rather than the rule. Christians have long used new media to reach potential converts, and new tech inspired the creation of religions like Spiritualism and Scientology. Many religious leaders adopted video streaming technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, and apps abound for reading scriptures, praying, and mindfulness meditation. Some versions of this course will be taught partially or entirely in virtual reality with the aid of VR headsets like the Oculus Quest 3, which UCSBs library holds in its reserves system.