This course offers 1) a basic introduction to cinematic depictions of the dynamics between political ideologies and certain religious movements that have engaged with such ideologies to inspire social and doctrinal reform; 2) a basic introduction to critical lenses from film theory that can be used to analyse the politics of representation at work in these filmic depictions of religio-political conflicts. The selected films also serve to illustrate religion's thoroughgoing enmeshment in broader political and cultural agendas within the public sphere: e.g., Religion and Imperialism, Religion and Economics, Religion and Globalisation, Religion and Post-Colonialism, Religion and Sexual Politics. Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hoursPrerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.
This course offers 1) a basic introduction to cinematic depictions of the dynamics between political ideologies and certain religious movements that have engaged with such ideologies to inspire social and doctrinal reform; 2) a basic introduction to critical lenses from film theory that can be used to analyse the politics of representation at work in these filmic depictions of religio-political conflicts. The selected films also serve to illustrate religion's thoroughgoing enmeshment in broader political and cultural agendas within the public sphere: e.g., Religion and Imperialism, Religion and Economics, Religion and Globalisation, Religion and Post-Colonialism, Religion and Sexual Politics. Weekly hours: 3 Lecture hoursPrerequisite(s): 3 credit units RLST or 18 credit units at the university level.