Cults in America ((3))

Catalog description

Freedom of religion in the United States has inspired an ongoing and passionate creation of new religious movements. This course explores spiritual creativity and the development of new religious movements from the first colonies in New England to contemporary cults, from the Mormons and the Shakers to Scientology and the Branch Davidians. Students examine the concepts of religion, spirituality, new religious movements and cults; freedom of religion; New Age and neo-Pagan spirituality; UFO, science fiction and suicide cults; mainstream assimilation of new religious movements; cultural and political concerns and cult behavior; and counter-cult and anti-cult groups.