Assignments and Discussion

Please refer to the assignment descriptions below, and click the button to submit your posts. Posts are due on Sundays at midnight, and responses are due on the following Thursday at midnight (unless otherwise specified).

Week 1

Let’s start by looking at the religious and spiritual landscape in the United States, both past and present. How has it evolved? How has religion and spirituality played a role in our society and our psychology? How are we even defining religion and spirituality these days?
This week’s readings should push you to begin to think about religion and spirituality holistically, considering all the different touchpoints with every facet of who we are, how we develop, and how we interact in this world. 

Week 2

With our foundation laid, let’s start at (or at least toward) the beginning. The study of the psychology of religion and spirituality starts with some foundational theories. These four scholars we’re focusing on are by no means offered the ONLY theories, but these are perhaps some of the most seminal figures. Understanding their positions will help you make sense of other scholars’ positions, as they are usually in response to or based on one of these figures below.

Week 3

Now that we have a macro-esque theoretical foundation on the psychology of religion, let’s look at how we develop R/S as individuals from a psychological perspective. Most of what we see from a theoretical perspective emerges as stage theories based on famed psychologist Jean Piaget. However, there’s been an evolution in recent years in considering different frameworks for R/S development that are not stage-based. Within R/S development is usually a discussion of moral development (although some scholars argue R/S and moral development should be considered separately) and a consideration of the development of traits found within positive psychology (i.e. wisdom, hope, gratitude, etc.)

Weeks 4 & 5

We’ve completed some deep thinking on R/S as it relates to psychology, so let us turn our attention to some theories of media psychology. Over the next two weeks, we’ll take a very surface look at some key theories within media psychology that particularly relate to the R/S sphere. 
There are entire courses (and degree programs!) devoted to media psychology, so this is just a snapshot of some of the key concepts. However, as you read through the materials, consider how what you know about R/S might apply. Think critically about how media could be a mediating factor in what we know about R/S development and R/S in a social context.