RELS 3750: Theories and Methods in Religious Studies (CTW)
Georgia State University, Fall 2014
CRN 84178
Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00am–12:15pm
Peachtree Street Building 1123
Instructor: Dr. Nicole Tilford
Office: 34 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1100
Office Hours: T/R 2:30am–4:00 pm, or by appointment
Email: ntilford@gsu.edu. Email hours 9:00am–4:00pm, Monday–Friday. This is generally the
best way to reach me. Please include the phrase “Theories and Methods” in your subject line and
your full name in the body of the e-mail.
Course Description
A writing-intensive introduction to methodological and theoretical issues in the academic study
of religion. Psychological, anthropological, sociological, phenomenological, theological,
dialogical, and feminist approaches may be covered.
CTW Designation
This course serves as one of the two Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) courses required
of all religious studies majors. Critical thinking in Religious Studies “involves carefully
analyzing religious phenomena in their different contexts, developing valid interpretations of
these phenomena, and communicating these interpretations persuasively in writing”
(http://www.gsu.edu/ctw/). While everyone is welcome, students who decide to take this course
must be committed to developing critical thinking and writing skills.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
 Identify key works of scholarship whose authors attempt to interpret and explain religious
experience, their presuppositions, and the relationship between them;
 Effectively describe and analyze a contemporary religious phenomenon using a variety of
scholarly theories and methods;
 Articulate the role of Religious Studies in contemporary America.
Course Requirements
 Attendance and Participation (8 points/day; 200 points total): I will run this class as a
seminar. In other words, I will not lecture. I will lead class, and you will have the
opportunity to discuss, criticize, debate, and use the theories and methods under
consideration. For this to be successful, it is important for you to come to class having
read/listened to the assigned material and ready to participate. To receive full credit for
the day, you must come to class, complete any activities, and constructively contribute to
class discussion. Attendance will be taken at every class.
 Declaration of Target Religious Community (20 points): Throughout the semester,
you will have the opportunity to examine one contemporary religious community using a
variety of theories and methods. The choice of the community is up to you; however, you
must tell me in writing which community you will be studying. Please upload your


written declaration to D2L’s Dropbox by the beginning of class on Sept. 4. I reserve the
right to suggest an alternative religious community for you to study.
3 Short Papers:
You will write three short papers (800–900 words, ca. 3 double-spaced pages) throughout
the semester. These papers will allow you to test out a variety of theories and methods
before writing your final paper. You will also write a short (300 words, ca. 1 doublespaced page) reflection on each paper. Additional details (e.g., specific writing prompts,
formatting requirements, procedures, and grading rubrics) will be provided.
o Workshop Draft (20 points/draft)
o Peer Review (50/set of peer reviews)
o Revised Draft + Reflection (100 points/paper):
1 Research Paper: At the end of the semester, you will choose one of your short papers,
revise it, and expand it into a longer paper (2000–2500 words, ca. 7–8 double-spaced
pages). Additional details and a grading rubric will be provided.
o Workshop Draft (20 points)
o Peer Review (50/set of peer reviews)
o Revised Draft (200 points): This revised draft (and supporting material) must be
turned in to me via D2L’s Dropbox by 11pm on Dec. 12.
Grading Scale
Points
970–1000
930–969
900–929
870–899
830–869
800–829
770–799
730–769
700–729
670–699
630–669
600–629
0–599
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Extra Credit: Religious Studies “Dork Shorts”
This class is as much about how Religious Studies operates in today’s world as it is about the
history of religious studies. Thus, every Thursday, I will provide the opportunity for students to
share something interesting about contemporary religious studies. To participate, you must find a
news article, blog entry, or short video clip that highlights an individual who is doing work
related to religious studies or that introduces a technology that can facilitate religious studies
work. You will provide a 1 minute oral overview of the piece to the class and turn in a 100–150
word summary of the piece (with appropriate links) to me via D2L’s Dropbox by 5pm on the
same day you present. Each extra credit presentation is worth 5 points on your lowest revised
paper grade. May be repeated up to 5 times.
Required Texts
 Olson, Carl. Theory and Method in the Study of Religion: A Selection of Critical
Readings. Paperback. Cenage Learning, 2002. ISBN-10: 0534534740.
 Stausberg, Michael and Steven Engler, ed. The Routledge Handbook of Research
Methods in the Study of Religion. Paperback. Routledge, 2013. ISBN-10: 0415718449.
 Any additional readings will be provided by the instructor
**Please note: In preparation for this course, you may need to visit a contemporary religious site
in Atlanta. Please budget accordingly for transportation. If you think you will be unable to
complete any assignments due to financial concerns, please come talk to me as soon as
possible.**
Online Resources (links available on D2L)
 Desire2Learn: https://gsu.view.usg.edu/
 www.religiousstudiesproject.com
 Chicago Manual of Style (available for free through the GSU library website)
 Grammerly
 SWoRD
Class Policies
Class Disturbances
 This class covers material about which many students have strong convictions and
opinions. In order for this class to be successful, it is essential that everyone show respect
for one another. One of the most important aspects of a liberal arts education is learning
to be respectful of the viewpoints of others with whom you may disagree.
 Technology policy: I fully support the use of technology in the classroom when it assists
with learning. So, please feel free to bring your laptops/tablets to class with you.
However, during class time, your mobile devices should only be used in manners related
to classroom instruction. Cell phones should be silent and put away.
 I reserve the right to offer in-class pop quizzes (to replace the Attendance & Participation
grade for the day).
Absences
 Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. Students who arrive late or leave early
may be considered absent.
 Two unexcused absence will be allowed. That is, I will “gift” you 8 points/absence for
your first 2 unexcused absences. Any absence beyond the two allowed will result zero (0)
points being added to your Attendance & Participation grade for each missed day.
 Excused absences will be granted 8 points/excused day. Excused absences include:
medical and immediate family emergencies, legal obligations such as jury duty or
military service, religious holidays, and official university activities. You must submit
documentation of the excuse (e.g., doctor’s note) within 72 hours of the absence in order
for it to be considered excused.
 Veterans please note: The Department of Veteran Services requires that institutions of
higher learning immediately report to them when a student discontinues attendance for
any reason. This means, that if you miss more than two weeks of class, I will have to
report your absence to the Registrar’s Office.
 You are responsible for all class assignments and material for any classes that you are
absent from. In the event of an absence, it is your responsibility to obtain class materials
or information from your fellow students.
Missed Assignments
 Due to the collaborative nature of the peer review session, extensions on workshop drafts
and peer reviews will NOT be granted. Please plan accordingly.
 Extensions on revised drafts will only be provided for excused absences. For any
assignment that you miss, you must provide appropriate written documentation of the
excuse within 72 hours of absence. Otherwise, you will automatically receive a zero (0)
for the paper in question.
E-mail and Desire2Learn Website
 E-mail is the primary means of official communication for this course. Students are
responsible for maintaining their university e-mail accounts and for checking them
regularly.
 This class has a Desire2Learn Site. On it, you can find the syllabus, a link to the web
resources used in this class, and your attendance record and grades. If you have difficulty
accessing this site, please contact the instructor.
Incompletes
 Please note: “I” (Incomplete) grades will only be given to a student who, for
nonacademic reasons beyond his or her control, is unable to meet the full requirements of
a course. In order to qualify for an “I,” a student must (1) have completed most of the
major assignments for the course and (2) be earning a passing grade for the course in the
judgment of the instructor. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Course Calendar
This calendar provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary. Any
revisions will be announced in class and posted on the course website. Readings and podcasts
are to be completed before the class on which they are assigned.
TR= Olson’s Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
MR= Stausberg and Engler’s Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion
Podcasts: available on www.religiousstudiesproject.com
Aug. 26: Welcome
After class:
Review TR Introduction (pgs. 1–14)
Review MR Introduction (pgs. 1–20)
Review Syllabus
Explore D2L
Introduction
Aug. 28: The Academic Study of Religion
TR (ca. 22 pages): Introduction to Chapter 2 (pgs.
15–20); Sam Gill “The Academic Study of
Religion” (pgs. 20–25); J.Z. Smith, “Religion and
Religious Studies: No Difference At All” (pgs.
25–29); Margaret R. Miles, “Becoming
Answerable for What We See” (pgs. 42–48)
Podcast (ca. 24 mins): “George Chryssides on the
Insider/Outsider Problem”
The Quest for Origins
Sept. 2: Theory
Sept. 4: Method
Video (ca. 7 mins): “10a Seven Classic Theories
MR (ca. 18 pgs): Michael Stausberg,
of Religion: Origins of the Academic Study of
“Comparison” (pgs. 21–39)
Religion”
Declaration of Religious Community Due
Sign up for Grammerly
TR (ca. 25 pages): “Religious Studies, Theology,
and Disciplines” (pgs. 5–9); Introduction to
Chapter 3 (pgs. 49–53); Edward B. Tylor, “From
Primitive Culture (pgs. 54–61); James George
Frazer, “From The Golden Bough: A Study of
Magic and Religion and Totemism and Exogamy”
(pgs. 61–69)
The History of Religions
Sept. 9: Theory
Sept. 11: Method
TR (ca. 19 pages): Introduction to Chapter 5 (pgs. MR (ca. 24 pages): Jörg Rüpke, “History” (pgs.
157–160); Mircea Eliade “From The Quest:
285–309)
History and Meaning in Religion” (pgs. 169–172),
J.Z. Smith, “From Map Is Not Territory: Studies
in the History of Religion” (pgs. 177–185);
Wendy Doniger, “From Women, Androgynes, and
Other Mythical Beasts” (pgs. 192–193)
Podcast (ca. 36 mins): “John Wolffe and Ronald
Hutton on Historical Approaches”
Sociology of Religion
Sept. 16: Theory
Sept. 18: Method
TR (ca. 22 pages): Introduction to Chapter 6 (pgs. MR (c. 26 pages): Grace Davie and David Wyatt,
209–211); Emile Durkheim, “From Elementary
“Document Analysis” (pgs. 151–161); “Discourse
Forms of the Religious Life” (pgs. 212–225); Max Analysis” (pgs. 134–150)
Weber, “From The Sociology of Religion” (pgs.
229–235)
Podcast (ca. 29 mins): “Titus Hjelm on Marxist
Approaches to the Study of Religions”
Writing Week: Short Paper 1
Sept. 22: Draft
Sept. 23: Peer
Sept. 24: Peer
Sept. 25:
due to SWORD
Review Workshop Review due by
Religious Studies
by 11pm
11pm
and the Academy
Sept. 26: Revised
Draft + Reflection
due to Dropbox
by 11pm
Phenomenology and the Science of Religion
Sept. 30: Theory
Oct. 2: Method
TR (ca. 22 pages): Introduction to chapter 4 (pgs. MR (ca. 24 pages):
100–106); Gerardus van der Leeuw, “From
Everyone read: James V. Spickard,
Religion in Essence and Manifestation” (pgs.
“Phenomenology” (pgs. 333–345)
124–139)
Choose: Anna Davidson Bremborg,
“Interviewing” (310–322) OR Juhem NavarroPodcast (ca. 25 mins): “Robert Orsi on Rudolf
Rivera and Bary A. Kosmin, “Survey and
Otto”
Questionnaires” (395-420)
Anthropology
Oct. 7: Theory
Oct. 9: Method
TR (ca. 27 pages): Intro. to Chapter 7 (pgs. 238–
MR (ca. 27 pages): Graham Harvey, “Field
244); Clifford Geertz, “From The Interpretation of Research: Participant Observation” (pgs. 217–
Cultures” (pgs. 285–297); Mary Douglas, “From
244)
Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of
Pollution and Taboo” (pgs. 307–316)
Podcast: “Paul-Francois Tremlett on Claude LéviStrauss” (ca. 37 mins)
Psychology of Religion
Oct. 14: Theory [last day to withdraw!]
Oct. 16: Method
TR (ca. 24 pages): Introduction to Chapter 8 (pgs. MR (ca. 24 pages): Frederick Bird and Laurie
342–352); Freud, “From The Standard Edition of
Lamoureux Scholes, “Research Ethics” (pgs. 81–
the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund
105)
Freud and Future of Illusion” (pgs. 353–363);
Jung, “From Psychology and Religion: West and
East” (pgs. 370–374)
Podcast (ca. 31 mins): “Armin Geertz on the
Cognitive Approaches to the Study of Religion”
Writing Week: Short Paper 2
Oct. 20: Draft due Oct. 21: NO
Oct. 22: Peer
Oct. 23: Religious
to SWORD by
CLASS, complete Review due by
Studies and Non11pm
your reviews
11pm
Profits
Oct. 24: Revised
Draft + Reflection
due to Dropbox
by 11pm
Ecological/Biological Approaches
Oct. 28: Theory
Oct. 30: Method
TR (ca. 20 pages): Introduction to Chapter 9 (pgs. MR (11 pages): Kim Knott, “Spatial Methods”
439–443); Åke Hultkrantz, “Ecology of Religion: (pgs. 491–502)
Its Scope and Methodology” (pgs. 444–449);
Walter Burkert, “From Creation of the Sacred:
Tracks of Biology in Early Religions” (pgs. 450–
459)
Podcast (ca. 46 mins): “Peter Collins on Religion
and the Built Environment”
Feminist Perspectives on Religion
Nov. 4: Theory
Nov. 6: Method
TR (ca. 26 pages): Introduction to Chapter 10
MR (ca. 13 pgs): Mary Ko Neitz, “Feminist
(pgs. 476–482); Mary Daly, “From Gyn/Ecology: Methodologies” (pgs. 54–67)
The Metaethics of Radical Feminism” (pgs. 482–
490); Delores S. Williams, “From Sisters in the
Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist GodTalk” (pgs. 531–543)
Podcast (ca. 25 mins): “Lisbeth Mikaelsson on
Religion and Gender”
Poststructural/Postmodern Approaches to Religion
Nov. 11: Theory
Nov. 13: Method
TR (ca. 18 pages): Introduction to Chapter 11
MR (ca. 10 pages): Jimi Adams, “Network
(pgs. 548–557); Michel Foucault, “Nietzche,
Analysis” (pgs. 323–332)
Genealogy, History” (pgs. 572–579); Jacques
Derrida, “From Religion” (pgs. 587–591)
Podcast: “What is the Future of Religious
Studies?” (23 mins)
Nov. 17: Draft
due to SWORD
by 11pm
Nov. 18: NO
CLASS, work on
your peer reviews
Writing Week
Nov. 19: Peer
Review due by
11pm
Nov. 20:
Religious Studies
and Corporations
Nov. 25 & 27: Thanksgiving Week: NO CLASS
Recommended: Wade Clark Roof, “Research Design” (pgs. 68–80)
Writing Week: Research Paper
----Dec. 2: NO
Dec. 3: Draft due
Dec. 4: RELS
CLASS, work on
to SWORD by
Colloquium
your papers
11pm
Revised Paper Due to Dropbox Friday, December 12 by 11 pm
Nov. 21: Revised
Draft + Reflection
due to Dropbox
by 11pm
Dec. 5: Peer
Review due by
11pm
Department of Religious Studies
General Syllabus Statement Fall 2014

This syllabus provides a general plan for the course. Deviations may be necessary.

The last day to withdraw from a course with the possibility of receiving a W is Tuesday,
October 14.

Students are responsible for confirming that they are attending the course section for which they
are registered. Failure to do so may result in a WF or F for the course.

Students who are involuntarily withdrawn may petition the department chair for reinstatement
into their classes.

By University policy and to respect the confidentiality of all students, final grades may not be
posted or given out over the phone. To see your grades, check the web (student.gosolar.gsu.edu).

While the penalty for academic dishonesty is a matter of the instructor's discretion in the
Department of Religious Studies, the customary penalty for a violation of the academic
dishonesty rules is an "F" in the course. See the University Policy on Academic Honesty on the
reverse of this sheet.

New Policy as of Fall 2006: A student may be awarded a grade of "W" no more than 6
times in their careers at Georgia State. After 6 Ws, a withdrawal is recorded as a WF on
the student's record. A WF counts as an F in a GPA.

Your constructive assessment of this course plays an indispensable role in shaping education at
Georgia State University. Upon completing the course, please take the time to fill out the online
course evaluation.

Students who wish to request accommodation for a disability may do so by registering with the
Office of Disability Services in Suite 230 of the Student Center. Students may only be
accommodated upon issuance by the Office of Disability Services of a singed Accommodation
Plan and are responsible for providing a copy of that plan to instructors of all classes in which an
accommodation is sought.
Subscribe to our department listserv for current information and events:
mailbox.gsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/relmajor
Messages will go to the address from which you send the message, so you need to resubscribe
every time you change e-mail addresses.
For more information on the religious studies program visit:
www.gsu.edu/religion
Like us at: www.facebook.com/GSUReligion
Policy on Academic Honesty, from the GSU Catalog
As members of the academic community, students are expected to recognize and uphold standards of intellectual and academic
integrity. The university assumes as a basic and minimum standard of conduct in academic matters that students be honest and
that they submit for credit only the products of their own efforts. Both the ideals of scholarship and the need for fairness require
that all dishonest work be rejected as a basis for academic credit. They also require that students refrain from any and all forms of
dishonor-able or unethical conduct related to their academic work.
The university’s policy on academic honesty is published in the Faculty Handbook and On Campus: The Student Handbook and
is available to all members of the university community. The policy represents a core value of the university, and all members of
the university community are responsible for abiding by its tenets. Lack of knowledge of this policy is not an acceptable defense
to any charge of academic dishonesty. All members of the academic community—students, faculty, and staff—are expected to
report violations of these standards of academic conduct to the appropriate authorities. The procedures for such reporting are on
file in the offices of the deans of each college, the office of the dean of students, and the office of the provost.
In an effort to foster an environment of academic integrity and to prevent academic dishonesty, students are expected to discuss
with faculty the expectations regarding course assignments and standards of conduct. Students are encouraged to discuss freely
with faculty, academic advisers, and other members of the university community any questions pertaining to the provisions of
this policy. In addition, students are encouraged to avail themselves of programs in establishing personal standards and ethics
offered through the university’s Counseling Center.
Definitions and Examples
The examples and definitions given below are intended to clarify the standards by which academic honesty and academically
honorable conduct are to be judged. The list is merely illustrative of the kinds of infractions that may occur, and it is not intended
to be exhaustive. Moreover, the definitions and examples suggest conditions under which unacceptable behavior of the indicated
types normally occurs; however, there may be unusual cases that fall outside these conditions that also will be judged
unacceptable by the academic community.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is presenting another person’s work as one’s own. Plagiarism includes any para-phrasing or
summarizing of the works of another person without acknowledgment, including the submitting of another student’s work as
one’s own. Plagiarism frequently involves a failure to acknowledge in the text, notes, or footnotes the quotation of the
paragraphs, sentences, or even a few phrases written or spoken by someone else. The submission of research or completed papers
or projects by someone else is plagiarism, as is the unacknow-ledged use of research sources gathered by someone else when that
use is specifically forbidden by the faculty member. Failure to indicate the extent and nature of one’s reliance on other sources is
also a form of plagiarism. Any work, in whole or in part, taken from the Internet or other computer-based resource without
properly referencing the source (for example, the URL) is considered plagiarism. A complete reference is required in order that
all parties may locate and view the original source. Finally, there may be forms of plagiarism that are unique to an individual
discipline or course, examples of which should be provided in advance by the faculty member. The student is responsible for
understanding the legitimate use of sources, the appropriate ways of acknowledging academic, scholarly or creative indebtedness,
and the consequences of violating this responsibility.
Cheating on Examinations: Cheating on examinations involves giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during, or after
an examination. Examples of unauthorized help include the use of notes, computer-based resources, texts, or "crib sheets" during
an examination (unless specifically approved by the faculty member), or sharing information with another student during an
examination (unless specifically approved by the faculty member). Other examples include intentionally allowing another student
to view one’s own examination and collaboration before or after an examination if such collaboration is specifically forbidden by
the faculty member.
Unauthorized Collaboration: Submission for academic credit of a work product, or a part thereof, represented as its being
one’s own effort, which has been developed in substantial collaboration with another person or source or with a computer-based
resource is a violation of academic honesty. It is also a violation of academic honesty knowingly to provide such assistance.
Collaborative work specifically authorized by a faculty member is allowed.
Falsification: It is a violation of academic honesty to misrepresent material or fabricate information in an academic exercise,
assignment or proceeding (e.g., false or misleading citation of sources, falsification of the results of experiments or computer
data, false or misleading information in an academic context in order to gain an unfair advantage).
Multiple Submissions: It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the same work for credit more than
once without the explicit consent of the faculty member(s) to whom the material is submitted for additional credit. In cases in
which there is a natural development of research or knowledge in a sequence of courses, use of prior work may be desirable, even
required; however the student is responsible for indicating in writing, as a part of such use, that the current work submitted for
credit is cumulative in nature.