Religion and Cultural Analysis

Course Description

The purpose of this course, taught by Jerome Baggett at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, is to introduce students to the much-discussed (but less often understood) concept of culture and its implications for the study of contemporary religion. After attending to more theoretical concerns, we will investigate the manner in which a nuanced construal of culture is essential for better understanding such things as secularization, ideological subcultures, religious change, and the salience of religiosity in forging ethnic and racial identities. By attending to these (and other) topics, students should acquire the theoretical and methodological tools necessary for becoming more sophisticated observers of religion as it is actually lived out in the United States and elsewhere.

  • Course Categories: General Theology
  • Science Topics: History & Philosophy of Science, Life Sciences
  • Seminaries: Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University
  • Syllabus: Religion and Cultural Analysis
  • Tags:
    theology, pastoral theology, sociology of religion, science and religion, catholic, orthodox, history and philosophy of science

Related resources

  • Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament 2

    An introduction to the literature and thought of the Hebrew Bible, considered in the light of the historical contexts of its formation and its ongoing theological importance to the life and faith of the Church. The course, taught by Paul K.-K. Cho at Wesley Theological Seminary, is the second part of a year-long sequence and…

  • Pentateuch

    The Pentateuch tells a story about the origins of the cosmos and of humans that provides a framework for the origins of the Israelite nation. Through an examination of the Books of Genesis, Exodus, and Deuteronomy, this course, taught by Fr. Dale Launderville at Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, will not only aim…

  • History of Christianity II

    This course, taught by William Cahoy at Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, will examine the development of the Christian tradition, including the expression of seminal doctrines within the Christian church, from the 15th century to the present day. The course will explore the main trends in the development of the institution and primary…

  • Johannine Tradition

    The Gospels and Letters of John have been very influential in the shaping of Christian theology. In this course, taught by Fr. Michael Patella at Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary, students will closely read the texts to provide an examination of the Johannine corpus within its theological, social, and historical context.

  • Theology and Science in the Twenty-First Century

    Since the advent of modernity, it has become increasingly common for people to view science and religion as being in conflict with one another. According to scientism and the new atheists, this is because the former relies on rationality and evidence, whilst the latter is the result of faith and superstition. In this course, taught…

  • Christian Thought and Culture II

    This course, taught by Iain Provan at Regent College, and its partner, CTC I, are organized around the theme of "story." What does it mean to live out the Christian Story comprehensively and with integrity in the midst of cultures shaped to some or a great extent by counter-stories? What does it mean, in the…

In furtherance of the AAAS mission of advancing science in service to society, AAAS|DoSER’s role in the Science for Seminaries project is to support efforts to integrate science into seminary education. AAAS|DoSER does not advise on or endorse the theological content of the participating seminaries.