On-Campus Extended Studies course in Religious Studies.

Winter Term information

184A: Religion and Film

Course Time: 1:00-4:00pm MTWF
Fees: None
Prerequisites: None

This course will use major theories of religion in order to investigate religious themes and symbols in a number of contemporary films. In this course we will use the screening of a number of religiously evocative films to open up a discursive space within which we can think critically about ourselves, the times in which we live and the role of religion in human life. In order to do this we will look at the ways in which powerful religious themes have been dealt with in film. At times the religious themes addressed in movies are overt and tradition-specific while at other times they are covert and universal. Throughout the course of the term we will interrogate filmic texts in order to understand the ways in which religious themes are dealt with through the cinematic medium. But we will also allow the films to interrogate us! In this class we will consider the screening of the films as opportunities for us to reflect upon the nature of religion as we try to come to a better understanding of its place within society and our own lives. Not open to students with previous credit for REL 275.