AT17-08:Main
From Eckerd Academic Wiki
AT17-08: Don't Drink the Kool-Aid: Critically Engaging Cults as Emergent Religious Movements
Welcome to Our Autumn Term Wiki Pages!
CASE STUDY PROJECTS: READINGS & RESOURCES
HURRICANE CLOSURE INFORMATION for 18-20 August 2008
- For Wedesday, 20 August 2008 and after: AT17 Post-Fay Schedule
- For Wednesday, 20 August 2008: Current AT17 Students can go to Wednesday's Work for the assignment
- For Wednesday, 20 August 2008: 8/19/08 Announcement concerning the reopening of Eckerd College on 8/20/08
- For Tuesday, 19 August 2008: Current AT17 Students can go HERE for today's assignment
Course Description
The term “cult” is a signifier for extremism, brainwashing, and senseless violence in modern American media and culture. But what exactly is a “cult” and how does such a community differ from the world’s enduring religious traditions? This course invites students to explore interdisciplinary tools and methods central to the academic study of religion by engaging cults, otherwise known as “emergent religious movements,” as our focus of examination. Examples will range from biblically-inspired millenarian groups (Peoples Temple, Branch Davidians) to cosmic travelers (Heaven’s Gate) to philosophies centered around intelligent or extra-terrestrial design (Raelians). We will consider the ways religious groups are represented by both insiders and outsiders. To that end, we will comparatively investigate belief structures and doctrines, community practices and leadership, and sacred texts and images. Sources include scholarly articles and books, journalistic coverage and media portrayals, documentary films, websites, and some local experiences.
Throughout this course, we will identify our own learning styles, work together to develop our research, writing, and presentation skills, and gain familiarity with class preparation and participation expectations in the context of a strong liberal arts education at Eckerd College.
Course Documents
- AT17 Syllabus
- AT17 Post-Fay Schedule and AT17 Schedule
- Autumn Term Calendar
- Eckerd New Student Portal
Readings and Resources
- AT17 Readings: WEEK ONE
- AT17 Readings: WEEK TWO
- AT17 Readings: WEEK THREE
- Why Study Religion?
- Religious Movements Homepage Project
- Religious Tolerance Homepage
- Pluralism Project at Harvard University
- American Academy of Religion
Important Links
Where We Meet
MTWRF 9.00-noon, SE203, Eckerd College Campus
Prof. Lopez's Office Hours in SE206
For Autumn Term-By confirmed appointment only
