Theories of Alternative Spiritualities and New Religious Movements

Catalog description

This course provides theoretical frameworks for deepening student knowledge and understanding of alternative spiritual approaches through various lenses, including the insider/outsider problem, sociological and anthropological approaches to religion. Materials covered may include history of American spirituality, entheogens and shamanism, cults and sects, Neopaganism and various movements that arise in popular culture and practice. Special emphasis is placed on written and oral expression, integrative understanding, and the relationship between religious traditions and the personal spiritual understanding/journey. The goal of this course is to give students the necessary tools to produce academically rigorous research projects in any area of the field.