Spring 2010

E 314J • Literature & Religion-W

Course Description

This course will explore the ways in which religion has served as both a literary influence and as an object to be represented in literature and other media (such as film and music). Focusing primarily on texts of the last 150 years, we consider ways in which religion might be sui generis and ways in which religion is a cultural, economic, or psychological construction.

Grading Policy

10% Reading Journal 10% Reading quizzes 30% Short field reports on representations of religion in pop culture (3 three-page reports) 25% Essay 1 (6-8 pages, revision required) 25% Essay 2 (6-8 pages, revision optional)

Texts

Possible texts: Lew Wallace, Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Sinclair Lewis, Elmer Gantry T.S. Eliot, The Waste Land Jack Kerouac, On the Road Salman Rusdie, The Satanic Verses Students may also be asked to screen a film or two outside of class.

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