Course aims and learning goals:
• to assess and analyze central themes in the study of religion and popular culture
• to define and to distinguish the main concepts being used in the theoretical debates about religion and popular culture
• to critically evaluate various perspectives taken in the study of religion and popular culture
• to apply theory on manifestations of religion in popular culture and popular culture in religion and to effectively analyze them
• to academically write and speak about religion and popular culture
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The course will discuss theoretical approaches to the study of religion and popular culture and will explore their applicability through the examination of various case studies drawn from film, consumer culture and different religious practice settings. Pop-cultural forms of expressions can be found in religious contexts (e.g. religious comics, religious movies, etc.), and religious themes are referenced in popular culture ranging form TV shows to fashion trends and advertisement. Both categories of cultural products are commoditized, i.e. produced, and distributed through the channels of contemporary consumer capitalism. Both, popular culture and religion mutually influence and shape each other. In addition, the consumption of pop-cultural products and events can be experienced in religious terms and are used in practices of religious world-making. The analysis of different intersections of popular culture and religion will allow a critical reconsideration of binary oppositions that often inform (normative) discussions about religion and popular culture such as religious/secular, sacred/profane, high culture/low culture or authentic/fake.
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