RLG 211: Intro to Religion, Media, and Popular Culture, Summer (F) 2023
Mondays and Wednesdays (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Location: CC3150
Instructor: Hassan Asif
Email: h.asif@mail.utoronto.ca
Office Hours: TBA
Teaching Assistant: Oluwatobiloba (Michael) Ajayi
Email: mike.ajayi@mail.utoronto.ca
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Course Description:
In this course, students will explore the dynamic relationship between religion, media, and popular
culture. Drawing from diverse religious traditions, both mainstream and non-mainstream, the
course will examine the formation, dissemination, and impact of religious content across digital
and analog formats. Students will engage with methods for studying online religion and investigate
the intersectional space of lived religion, its popular manifestations, and media forms. The course
will include a variety of assignments, encouraging students to think critically and creatively about
the role of media in shaping religious beliefs and practices in contemporary society.
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Course Objectives:
1. Understand the relationship between religion, media, and popular culture across various
religious traditions and formats, enabling students to appreciate the complex ways in
which these areas intersect and influence one another.
2. Examine the impact of media on religious identity formation, representation, and
dissemination, fostering a nuanced understanding of how media shapes religious
experiences and expressions in contemporary society.
3. Develop critical thinking and analytical skills for evaluating religious content in media
and popular culture, empowering students to engage with diverse perspectives and make
informed judgments about the role of religion in media.
4. Apply digital methods for studying online religion, equipping students with practical
tools and techniques to navigate and analyze religious content in an increasingly digital
world.
5. Engage in creative assignments to critique religious media, podcasts, and other forms of
digital content, cultivating students' abilities to think innovatively and critically about the
ways religion is mediated and consumed in contemporary culture.
Course Breakdown:
1) Tutorial Participation and Attendance: 15%
Students are expected to attend all tutorial sessions, actively participate in discussions, and
engage with course materials, including readings, videos, and lectures. Both the quality and
quantity of contributions will be considered in determining the final participation grade. Students
will work on further refining their understanding of concepts introduced in the readings during a
particular week. Since this is a summer course, it is imperative that the students participate in
tutorial activities to fully engage with the readings and related course materials.
2) Four Mini Reading Response Papers (5% each for a total of 20%)
Students will be provided with prompts by the instructor to critically and synthetically reflect on
course materials. Students must write a 250-300 word response to each prompt, resulting in a
total of four mini reading response papers throughout the course. These mini responses will form
the foundation for their final paper.
3) Creative Critique Group Assignment – Writing Component: 20%
In small groups of 4 or 5, students will select a religious media product (podcast, magazine,
pamphlet, etc.) and provide a critical analysis using ideas introduced in the course. The
assignment should be 4-5 pages long, demonstrating a clear understanding of the selected media
product and its relationship with religion and popular culture along with clear analyses that
places the media product in a complex socio-historical network.
4) Creative Critique Presentation – Oral Component: 15%
In the same groups, students will present their creative critique assignment to the class during the
last session of the course, summarizing their analysis and findings. This will help students
improve their public speaking and presentation skills, as well as engage with their peers in
discussing the implications of their analyses.
5) Final Paper: 30%
For the final paper, students will individually develop one of their mini reading response papers
into a comprehensive academic essay of about 10 pages or 1800-2000 words. They are required
to integrate feedback from their mini reading response papers. The final paper will evaluate
students' capacity to cohesively analyze and critically examine course content in an extended and
detailed format.
Required Texts:
All required texts for this course are accessible online through the university library, and
audiovisual materials are freely available on the Internet.
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Course Schedule and Deadlines:
Class 1 (May 8, 2023): Introduction to Religion, Media, and Popular Culture
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Overview of course content, objectives, and expectations
Importance of studying the intersection of religion, media, and popular culture
Readings:
1) Morgan, D. (2011). Mediation or Mediatisation: The history of media in the study of
religion. Culture and Religion, 12(2), 137–152.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14755610.2011.579716
Class 2 (May 10, 2023): Theoretical and Methodological Perspectives on Religion, Media,
and Popular Culture
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Key theories, concepts and methods for understanding the intersection of religion, media,
and popular culture
Introduction to major scholarly works in the field
Discussion on creative critique assignments
Readings:
1) Campbell, H. A. (2012). Understanding the relationship between religion online and
offline in a networked society. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 80(1), 64–
93. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/lfr074.
2) Campbell, H. A. (2017). Surveying theoretical approaches within digital religion studies.
New Media & Society, 19(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444816649912.
Suggested Reading:
3) Hjarvard, S. (2011). The mediatisation of religion: Theorising religion, media and social
change. Culture and Religion, 12(2), 119–135.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14755610.2011.579719
** Due Date: Mini Reading Response Paper 1 (May 12, 2023) at 9:00 AM via Quercus **
Class 3 (May 15, 2023): Retro Revelations: Exploring Religion Through Analog Media
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Changes and continuities in religious media production and consumption
The impact of analog media on religious authority and identity
Readings:
1) Hirschkind, C. (2001). The Ethics of Listening: Cassette-Sermon Audition in
Contemporary Egypt. American Ethnologist, 28(3), 623–649.
https://doi.org/10.1525/ae.2001.28.3.623
2) Khan, N. (2011). The acoustics of Muslim striving: Loudspeaker use in ritual practice in
Pakistan. Comparative Studies in Society and History, 53(3), 571–94.
https://doi.org/10.1017
Class 4 (May 17, 2023): Digital Faith: Exploring Online Religious Practices
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Emergence of online religious practices
Role of the Internet in shaping religious experiences
Readings:
1) Tsuria, R., Bellar, W., Campbell, H., & Cho, K. J. (2021). Transferred, Mediated or
Transformed: Considering the Design, Features, and Presentation of Sacred Text Mobile
Applications. Journal of Contemporary Religion, 36(1), 57–78.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13537903.2021.1878633.
2) Garner, S. (2019). Imaging Christ in Digital Worlds: Continuity and Discontinuity in
Discipleship. Communication Research Trends, 38(4), 21–30.
** Due Date: Mini Reading Response Paper 2 (May 19, 2023) at 9:00 AM via Quercus **
Class 5 (May 22, 2023): Religion and Social Media: Building Communities and Shaping
Identities
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How social media platforms facilitate religious communication
The impact of social media on religious identities and communities
Case studies of religious groups using social media
Readings:
1) Ford, R. L. (2022). We Don’t Need the Guru: Shambhala Facebook Group and
(Re)Creating Vajrayāna Buddhism. International Journal of Hindu Studies, 26(2), 215–
236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11407-022-09317-y.
2) Urban, H. B. (2022). Dark Webs: Tantra, Black Magic, and Cyberspace. International
Journal of Hindu Studies, 26(2), 237–252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11407-022-09318-x.
** Due Date: Creative Critique Assignment (May 24, 2023) at 9:00 AM via Quercus **
Class 6 (May 24, 2023): Religion, Advertising and Celebrity
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Overview of the use of religious themes and imagery in advertising
Analysis of the ethics of using religious symbols for commercial purposes
Examination of the ways in which religious messages are communicated through
advertising
Analysis of the influence of celebrity endorsements on religious beliefs and practices
Readings:
1) Pemberton, K., & Takhar, J. (2021). A Critical Technocultural Discourse Analysis of
Muslim Fashion Bloggers in France: Charting ‘Restorative Technoscapes.’ Journal of
Marketing Management, 37(5-6), 387–416.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2020.1868551.
2) Kidwell, J., & Borer, M. I. (2021). The Sanctuary of the Spectacle: Megachurches and
the Production of Christian Celebrities and Consumers. Journal of Media and Religion,
20(2), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/15348423.2021.1925463.
** Due Date: Mini Reading Response Paper 3 (May 26, 2023) at 9:00 AM via Quercus **
Class 7 (May 29, 2023): The Sacred Medium of Sound: Religion and its Sonic Expressions
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Investigating the relationship between religion and sound
Assessing the influence of modern technology on the transmission and preservation of
religious sounds
Discussing the potential ethical implications of recording and sharing sacred sounds in
the digital age
Readings:
1) Dotto, S. (2019). The Mediumship of the Digital: Sound Recording, Supernatural Inquiry,
and the Digital Afterlife of Phonography. In Believing in Bits: Digital Media and the
Supernatural. Oxford University Press.
2) Eisenlohr, P. (2022). Atmospheric resonance: sonic motion and the question of religious
mediation. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 28(2), 613–631.
https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.13662
Recommended Reading:
Scharnick-Udemans, L.-S. S. (2021). Feminist Pandemic Pedagogies: Podcasting and the Study
of Religion. Journal for the Study of Religion, 34(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.17159/24133027/2021/v34n1a6.
Class 8 (May 31, 2023): Religious Satire and Critique in Media
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Overview of the role of satire and critique in media representations of religion
Examination of the history of religious satire in various forms of media
Analysis of the impact of religious satire on public perceptions of religion
Reading and Film:
1) Bellar, W., Campbell, H. A., Cho, K. J., Terry, A., Tsuria, R., Yadlin-Segal, A., &
Ziemer, J. (2013). Reading Religion in Internet Memes. Journal of Religion, Media and
Digital Culture, 2(2), 1–39. https://doi.org/10.1163/21659214-90000031.
2) Monty Python. (1979). Monty Python and the Life of Brian. [Video]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xArpKxaHP6Q
** Due Date: Mini Reading Response Paper 4 (June 2, 2023) at 9:00 AM via Quercus **
Class 9 (June 5, 2023): Gender, Sexuality, and Religion in Media and Popular Culture
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Exploring the intersection of gender, sexuality, religion, and media
The role of media in challenging or reinforcing gender norms within religious contexts
Representation of diverse gender and sexual identities in religious media
Readings:
1) Tsuria, R. (2020). Digital Divide in Light of Religion, Gender, and Women’s Digital
Participation. Journal of Information, Communication & Ethics in Society, 18(3), 405–
413. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICES-03-2020-0028.
2) Arjana, S. R. (2017). Muslim Women in Western Popular Culture. In Veiled
Superheroes: Islam, Feminism, and Popular Culture (Chapter 1, pp. 1-21). Lanham, MD:
Lexington Books.
Class 10 (June 7, 2023): Religion and Gaming
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Overview of the representation of religion in video games
Analysis of how video games can shape religious beliefs and practices
Examination of the ways in which religious themes are used in gaming narratives
Readings:
1) Campbell, H. A., Wagner, R., Luft, S., Gregory, R., Grieve, G. P., & Zeiler, X. (2016).
Gaming Religionworlds: Why Religious Studies Should Pay Attention to Religion in
Gaming. Journal of the American Academy of Religion, 84(3), 641–664.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jaarel/lfv091.
2) Johnson, M. R. (2017). Gods in and of the Machine: Morality, Divination and Meaning in
Digital Religion and Games. Information, Communication & Society, 20(12), 1844–
1847. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2017.1340970.
Class 11 (June 12, 2023): Religion and Virtual Reality
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Overview of the use of virtual reality (VR) in religious contexts
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Analysis of the potential impact of VR on religious experiences and practices
Readings:
1) Young, W. (2022). Virtual Pastor: Virtualization, AI, and Pastoral Care. Theology and
Science, 20(1), 6–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2021.2012915.
2) O’Connell, M. (2017). To Be a Machine: Adventures Among Cyborgs, Utopians,
Hackers, and the Futurists Solving the Modest Problem of Death (pp. 1-9, 160-175). New
York, NY: Doubleday.
** Due Date: Creative Critique Presentation (June 14, 2023) in Class (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
**
Class 12 (June 14, 2023): Student Creative Critique Presentations
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Students present their creative critique assignments
Discussion and feedback on student projects
** Due Date: Final Paper (June 17, 2023) at 9:00 AM via Quercus **
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Course Policies:
Please be advised that the intellectual property rights for the materials referenced in this syllabus
and posted on the course site may belong to the course instructor or other individuals.
Reproducing or distributing such materials in any form or medium without the permission of the
intellectual property owner is not allowed. Infringing on intellectual property rights may breach
the law and the university's policies, resulting in serious consequences for the offender. If you
have any doubts about your right to use the material other than as outlined in the syllabus, please
consult with your instructor.
Guidelines for Discussions: Since religion can be a provocative subject, our discussions are
likely to be dynamic. Our objective in this class is to examine religion as a cultural phenomenon,
not to promote our own beliefs or criticize those of others. Critical thinking is essential, as is
treating religious texts and traditions with due respect. Refer to the Equity Statement below for
comparison.
Guidelines for Writing: The most skillful writers create multiple drafts and seek feedback from
readers to produce a polished final piece; you should do the same. An outstanding paper will not
only showcase technical expertise (i.e., it will be free of grammatical and stylistic errors), but it
will also have a coherent organizational structure that supports its main argument. Superior
papers will present a persuasive thesis statement, backed by ample citations from relevant
primary and secondary sources. Proper spelling and grammar are essential, as poorly formed
language can lead to unclear ideas and negatively affect your grade.
Communications Policy: I will make every effort to reply to email inquiries promptly.
Generally, I and the TA will address emails for this course within 24-48 hours of receipt.
Email Usage
1) Contact me and the TA by exclusively using your utoronto.ca email address. Due to
confidentiality concerns, we cannot correspond with you through other addresses. All
University of Toronto students must have a valid UTORmail email address, and it is your
responsibility to ensure that your U of T email address is correctly entered in the ROSI
system. Check your utoronto.ca email address daily.
2) Refrain from emailing questions that can be answered by referring to the syllabus or that
were already discussed in class.
3) Include the course code in the subject line to help me identify your email as a student
inquiry.
4) Compose your email following university etiquette (e.g., begin with "Dear Professor
[LAST NAME]"). Use complete sentences with proper punctuation, proofread for
spelling and grammatical errors before sending, and avoid slang or text message
abbreviations.
5) Generally, you can expect a response from me within two business days.
Grading Scale: A+ = 90-100; A = 85-89; A- = 80-84; B+ = 77-79; B = 73-76; B- = 70-72; C+ =
67-69; C = 63-66; C- = 60-62; D+ = 57-59; D = 53-56; D- = 50-52; F = 49 or below
Late or Missed Work:
If you are unable to submit an assignment on time or have missed a term test, quiz, or in-class
assignment due to extenuating circumstances, please visit the Department of Historical Studies
website and follow the instructions to submit a request for Special Consideration.
If the Department does not grant Special Consideration, you will receive a mark of zero or lose a
percentage of the assignment mark for each late day, as indicated in the syllabus. Late work will
result in a 3-point deduction per day late or a 1/3 letter grade, including weekends. Work
submitted more than seven days after the due date will receive a mark of zero.
Citations:
When citing sources, please use the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style unless
instructed otherwise. A brief guide can be found at
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Failure to properly cite sources
may result in point deductions.
University Statement on Academic Integrity:
The University of Toronto regards academic integrity as crucial for the promotion of learning
and scholarship, as well as for ensuring that students' academic degrees from the institution
represent their individual achievements. To this end, the University takes any form of academic
misconduct such as cheating and plagiarism very seriously. The University's Code of Behaviour
on Academic Matters outlines the procedures for addressing academic offences, including but
not limited to, the following examples:
In papers and assignments:
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Using someone else's words or ideas without proper attribution.
Submitting your own work in multiple courses without the consent of the instructor.
Fabricating sources or facts.
Offering or receiving unauthorized help on any assignment.
On tests and exams:
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Using or possessing unauthorized materials.
Copying answers from someone else during an exam.
Misrepresenting your identity.
In academic work:
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Falsifying institutional documents or grades.
Falsifying or modifying any required documentation, such as a doctor's note.
Any suspected incidents of academic dishonesty will be examined according to the Code of
Behaviour on Academic Matters' procedures. Students who require additional information on
academic integrity or appropriate research and citation techniques are encouraged to seek
guidance from their instructor or other institutional resources. For more information, visit
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/academic-integrity/resources/students or
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/using-sources/how-not-to-plagiarize.
Plagiarism Tool:
“Normally, students will be required to submit their course essays to the University’s plagiarism
detection tool for a review of textual similarity and detection of possible plagiarism. In doing so,
students will allow their essays to be included as source documents in the tool’s reference
database, where they will be used solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that
apply to the University’s use of this tool are described on the Centre for Teaching Support &
Innovation web site (https://teaching.utoronto.ca/ed-tech/teaching-technology/pdt/pdt-faq/).”
University Resources for Online Learning:
You are encouraged to review the University of Toronto’s memo on minimal technical
requirements for online learning. You are also encouraged to familiarize yourself with the UTM
Library Learn Anywhere Research Website. Students may request to opt out of use of any thirdparty software. Students are hereby informed that Quercus has been integrated with Turnitin, the
online plagiarism detection tool. Please take note of the following legal statement: “Students
agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission for textual
similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be
included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of
detecting plagiarism of such papers. The terms that apply to the University’s use of the
Turnitin.com service are described on the Turnitin.com web site.”
Academic Skills Centre:
The Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (Room 390, Hazel McCallion Academic Learning
Centre) offers a range of workshops, seminars, and individual consultations to help students
develop the academic skills they need for success in their studies. Visit the Centre’s website for
more information:
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/asc/. For further tips on writing, as well as a list of resources on
writing at U of T, see http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/home and http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/asc.
AccessAbility Resource Centre:
Students with diverse learning styles and needs are welcome in this course. If you have a
disability/health consideration that may require accommodations, please feel free to approach the
AccessAbility Resource Centre as soon as possible. AccessAbility staff (located in room 2037,
Davis Building) are available by appointment to assess specific needs, provide referrals, and
arrange appropriate accommodations. To schedule an appointment call 905-569-4699 or email
access.utm@utoronto.ca. For additional resources for other forms of student support, please see
the following:
• Academic Resources: a comprehensive list of the many resources at UTM that help to support
student academic success): http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/dean/undergraduates/academic-resources
• UTM Service Directory (a gateway to a variety of campus services, such as the library, UTM
Bookstore, Blackboard Help, etc.): http://www1.utm.utoronto.ca/~servicesdirectory
• Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (for assistance with various academic skills including
individual appointments, writing workshops, study groups, etc.): http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/asc
• Campus Police: http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/campus-police
• Computing Services: http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/computing-services
• Registrar & Registration Services (including course information, tuition and scholarship
information,
and academic advising): http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/registrar
• Student Affairs & Services (including first year programs, health & counselling, housing,
international
student resources, multi-faith programs, study abroad, etc.): http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/sas
Equity Statement:
The University of Toronto is committed to equity and respect for diversity. All members of the
learning environment in this course should strive to create an atmosphere of mutual respect. As a
course instructor, I will neither condone nor tolerate behaviour that undermines the dignity or
self-esteem of any individual in this course and wish to be alerted to any attempt to create an
intimidating or hostile environment. It is our collective responsibility to create a space that is
inclusive and welcomes discussion. Discrimination, harassment and hate speech will not be
tolerated. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may contact the UTM Equity
and Diversity officer at edo.utm@utoronto.ca or the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’
Union Vice President Equity at vpequity@utmsu.ca.
Your Academic Rights:
You, as a student at UTM, have the right to: receive a syllabus by the first day of class; rely upon
a syllabus once a course is started. An instructor may only change marks’ assignments by
following the University Assessment and Grading Practices Policy provision 1.3; refuse to use
turnitin.com (you must be offered an alternative form of submission); have access to your
instructor for consultation during a course or follow up with the department chair if the instructor
is unavailable; ask the person who marked your term work for a re-evaluation if you feel it was
not fairly graded. You have up to one month from the date of return of the item to inquire about
the mark. If you are not satisfied with a re-evaluation, you may appeal to the instructor in charge
of the course if the instructor did not mark the work. If your work is remarked, you must accept
the resulting mark. You may only appeal a mark beyond the instructor if the term work was
worth at least 20% of the course mark; receive at least one significant mark (15% for H courses,
25% for Y courses) before the last day you can drop a course for H courses, and the last day of
classes in the first week of January for Y courses taught in the Fall/Winter terms; submit
handwritten essays so long as they are neatly written; have no assignment worth 100% of your
final grade; not have a term test worth 25% or more in the last two weeks of class; retain
intellectual property rights to your research; receive all your assignments once graded; view your
final exams. To see a final exam, you must submit an online Exam Reproduction Request within
6 months of the exam. There is a small non-refundable fee; Privacy of your final grades; Arrange
for representation from Downtown Legal Services (DLS), a representative from the UTM
Students’ Union (UTMSU), and/or other forms of support if you are charged with an academic
offence.
Accommodations for Religious Observances:
The following is an excerpt of the University’s Policy on Accommodation on Scheduling of
Classes and Examinations and other Accommodations for Religious Observances: “It is the
policy of the University of Toronto to arrange reasonable accommodation of the needs of
students who observe religious holy days other than those already accommodated by ordinary
scheduling and statutory holidays. Students have a responsibility to alert members of the
teaching staff in a timely fashion to upcoming religious observances and anticipated absences.
Instructors will make every reasonable effort to avoid scheduling tests, examinations or other
compulsory activities at these times. If compulsory activities are unavoidable, every reasonable
opportunity should be given to these students to make up work that they miss, particularly in
courses involving laboratory work. When the scheduling of tests or examinations cannot be
avoided, students should be informed of the procedure to be followed to arrange to write at an
alternate time.It is most important that no student be seriously disadvantaged because of her or
his religious observances. However, in the scheduling of academic and other activities, it is also
important to ensure that the accommodation of one group does not seriously disadvantage other
groups within the University community. On an annual basis, the Office of the Vice-President
and Provost shall publish information concerning the anticipated dates of a number of holy days
over the subsequent two academic years. While every reasonable effort should be made to
provide accommodation, the publishing of these dates should not necessarily be interpreted to
mean that no important academic activities can be scheduled on these dates.” If you know that
religious observances, travel, holidays, or other personal commitments will make it difficult for
you to complete an assignment on its due date, then it is up to you to submit a request at least
five (5) days in advance