This first module will serve as an introduction to the academic study of religion. We will investigate the various expressions of religion, and then address what the secularization thesis means. How did Martin Luther and his ilk open such a denominational can of worms? How did we get to the "God of the Gaps?"

This module will introduce you to significant dynamics of Religion in the United States, what Sidney Mead has called "the Lively Experiment." America's dynamic mix of religions, more or less coexisting, represents a veritable laboratory of world religions. Moreover, this religious landscape serves as a useful lens for understanding larger global dynamics of new religions, fundamentalisms, and secularization.

This module will introduce you to what some argue to be a shift to a new paradigm, worldview, Weltanschaung, the "Age of Aquarius," or who knows? Will we need "The End of Faith" as Sam Harris would argue. Is Gaia on a crash course with Armageddon? What does it mean to be "Spiritual?" Psychic numbing and alienation to deal with terror.

Well, there was once a song that said, "It's Your Thing, Do What You Wanna Do, I Can't Tell You, Who to Sock it To." This exercise, (besides being part of a song), allows you to engage in a myriad of activities that don't require you to go through the traditional exercise of memorizing numerous facts and concepts to pass tests. Twenty-Five percent of your grade will consist of your commentary and analysis on a movie(s), web materials, books, events, or even personal experiences. Your critical observations will provide an opportunity for you to enlighten your classmates and the "old man"-your professor.