Syllabi Archive
A 2019 course by Andrew Monteith at Elon University analyzes "the ways that movies, television, sports, novels, and other types of popular culture can shape, cultivate, interact with, and even serve as religion."
A 2018 course by Jill DeTemple at Southern Methodist University "is designed as an intermediate course" to introduce students to "the border as a geographic and cognitive location rooted in history."
A 2014 course by Ron Anderson at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary provides "a historical and theological overview of church music. Although there will be some semblance to surveys of music history, it will focus on the various histories and traditions that have primarily shaped the practice of church music in North America."
A 2000 course by John Hawley and Courtney Bender at Columbia University aims "through readings and projects already structured into this syllabus and through sustained exposure to projects of students own devising, to learn something of the complex texture of religious life in New York City."
A 1995 course by Terry Matthews at Wake Forest University seeks to develop " an appreciation of the rich religious history of the South, as well as an awareness of the intellectual, moral, political, social and economic forces that helped mold the region and give it a distinctive ethos." Attention is paid to the often-overlooked experience of African Americans, Roman Catholics, and Jews in the South in addition to Protestantism.
A 2011 course by Jennell Botello at Florida International University traces "the historical development and influence of religion in the United States and particularly its influence on American culture."
A 2010 course by Mark Hulsether at the University of Tennesee, Knoxville, "explores the intersections among religion, culture, and society in North America, especially in recent years" with special attention to "key sociopolitical issues such as empire, race and gender contestation, and consumerism."
A 2012 course by Frances Adeney at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary assesses "the contemporary situation for Christian evangelism and mission in the United States" with special attention to cultural contexts.
A 2016 course by Lynn Neal at Wake Forest University examines "the history of specific 'cults,' and tackle the methodological and conceptual issues that arise in studying New Religious Movements (NRMs)."
A 2017 course by Lynn Neal at Wake Forest University examines "numerous sources, topics, and dilemmas" from popular culture as it considers "religion IN popular culture, popular culture IN religion, popular culture AS religion, and religion and popular cuture in dialogue."