Overview
Many people believe that religion exists solely in places of worship, but is this really true? Is there a distinct separation between the sacred and the profane? What defines religion? ―culture? Does popular culture influence religion or is it a one-way street? Is today’s western, apparently secularized, culture entirely unaware of the religious content―both subtle and obvious―that exists within film, literature, television, music, and the media? This course explores these questions, looking at the interplay between religion and culture in North America, with the goal of evaluating the influence that each exerts on the other.
Evaluation
In order to pass the course, students must hand in their assignments and pass the exam with a grade of 50 percent or higher, and achieve a composite grade of 50 percent or higher between the exam and the assignments.
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Observational Journal | 10% |
| Assignment 2: World Religion Summaries | 15% |
| Assignment 3: Critical Film Review | 15% |
| Assignment 4: Thesis Creation and Works Cited List | 10% |
| Research Paper | 20% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Forbes, Bruce David, and Jeffrey H. Mahan, eds. Religion and Popular Culture in America. Revised Edition. University of California Press, 2005.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Robson, Roy R. Think World Religions. Pearson, 2013.
Yeffeth, Glenn, ed. Taking the Red Pill: Science, Philosophy and Religion in The Matrix. Benbella Books, 2003.
The Matrix. Dir. Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski. Perf. Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, and Carrie-Anne Moss. Warner Bros, 1999.
Star Wars V DVD is now available for loan from the Athabasca University Library.
Other Materials
All other course materials can be accessed online through the course website.