May 30, 2026  
2026-2027 College Catalog 
    
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2026-2027 College Catalog

REL 200 - Religion in Popular Culture

3 Contact Hours, 3 Credits
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods


Exploration of the relationship between religion and contemporary society. Includes representation of religion in popular culture, function of religion as popular culture, and conflicts between religion and popular culture. Also includes a focus on popular media, such as movies, television, music, news, advertising, and recreation.

AGEC Gen-Ed: A&H or SBS
CTE Gen-Ed: A&H or SBS and C

Button linking to AZ Transfer course equivalency guide  

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Evaluate representations of religions and the conflicts in popular culture.
  2. Investigate ways in which religion functions as popular culture and how popular culture can function as religion.
Performance Objectives:
  1. Describe and evaluate representations of religion in popular culture.
  2. Investigate ways in which religion functions as popular culture and popular culture as religion.
  3. Examine and discuss conflicts which arise between religion and popular culture.
Outline:
  1. Representations of Religion in Popular Culture
    1. Overview of select religious traditions
    2. Variety of representations in diverse media
    3. Critical perspectives
    4. Popular media
  2. Function of Religion as Popular Culture
    1. Popular forms of religion and spirituality
    2. Religious elements of popular phenomena
    3. Popular media
  3. Conflicts between Religion and Popular Culture
    1. Popular culture and values
    2. Controversy over popular representations of religion
    3. Issues of censorship, conflicting rights and the public good
    4. Popular media