Religion, Media, and Popular Culture
(Spring 2018)
530-001/635-001
Professor John Schmalzbauer
Office: Strong Hall 263
Missouri State University
Email:
jschmalzbauer@missouristate.edu
Phone: 836-5918
Course Description
This course explores the relationship between the sacred and the secular in
film, sports, politics, popular music, and the comics. Examining the presence of
religious stories and symbols in popular culture, it pays special attention to
the influence of different religious traditions (Christian, Buddhist, Jewish,
Muslim, etc.) on the media while recognizing the internal diversity within each
tradition. As much as possible, it
relates the study of religion and popular culture to Springfield and the greater
Ozarks region.
Course Goals
1. Discern the subtle influence of religion in American popular culture
2. Uncover the presence of religious stories and symbols in film, music, and
sports
3. Explore regional expressions of popular culture in the Ozarks
4. Discuss the ways that Americans use popular culture to make meaning
5. Understand the diversity of religious imaginations in popular culture
Required Textbook and Electronic Reserve Readings
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is required at all class meetings.
The only acceptable excuses for absences are emergencies (please contact
the instructor in such cases).
Class Participation (20 points): Students will be evaluated on
their participation in class discussions, familiarity with the readings, and the
quality of their comments.
Reflection Paragraphs (80 points):
Many times in the semester, students will be asked to write 1-2 paragraph
reflections on the readings. This is
an opportunity for the instructor to see how students are processing the
readings. It is also an opportunity
for students to express their opinions. Paragraphs will be graded on the extent
to which they show familiarity with the readings and for their thoughtfulness.
Examinations (600 points total; 300 points each):
There will be two
examinations in this course. They
will test students only on the unit leading up to the examination.
Examinations will be a mixture of
short answer and essay questions.
Oral Presentation on Research Project (30 points—see below)
Two Meetings with Instructor About Project (20 points—see below)
Research Paper (250 points for final product):
Undergraduate students will complete a
12-13 page research paper (18-20 pages for graduate students) focusing on
religion and popular culture in the Ozarks.
Possible topics include: a)
Religion and Film; b) Religion and Popular Music;
c) Religion and Comics; d) Religion and Sports. Many other topics that fit the
course may also be appropriate.
Papers must incorporate original research drawing on one or more of the
following techniques: one-on-one interviews, field observations, or analysis
of contemporary or historical primary sources (newspaper stories, videos, sound
recordings, books or documents from libraries/archives, etc.).
Students who wish to use their papers outside of this course must wait
until our class receives approval from the Institutional Review Board to begin
their observations.
Step One:
Meeting with Instructor on Topic and Data
Collection (10 points)
Students must meet with Professor Schmalzbauer about their research topics and
methods of data collection by Monday
March 26. Students must bring a four
paragraph description of their topics and methods of data collection to the
meeting. Professor Schmalzbauer will
make suggestions on scholarly books/articles to read for background.
You may need to schedule an additional meeting or email the instructor
about your methods of data collection (questionnaire, field observations, etc.).
Professor Schmalzbauer will guide you in developing a solid research
strategy.
Step Two: Data Collection
As soon our class projects are approved by the Institutional Review Board
(probably in early February), you should promptly begin your research.
If you are doing any research for your project that does not involve
human subjects (or if you plan to never use your data after this course), you
can begin your data collection sooner.
Step Three: Oral Presentation on Research Paper Projects (30 points)
Each student must make one oral
presentation based on research for the paper.
These presentations will be held between
April 30 and May 9.
The instructor will pass out a sign-up sheet for time slots.
Presentations should be 8-10 minutes in length (no longer). The
presentation should not attempt to summarize your entire paper.
Rather, it should present your analysis of a single piece of evidence.
This might be an excerpt from an interview, a primary document from a
library, a video clip, a photograph, or field notes from an observation of a
single event.
Step Four: Meeting with Instructor on Research Paper Outline (10 points)
Students must meet with Professor Schmalzbauer by
Monday April 30 to discuss the structure and argumentation of their research
papers. Students must bring a
one page outline of the research
paper to the meeting.
Step Five: Turn in Research Paper
Papers are due Friday May 11 in Strong
Hall 263 (under the door is fine).
If a paper relies on interviews, the student must submit signed consent
forms from all respondents. If a
student completes an interview, she/he must also submit a copy of the recording
(an electronic file is fine).
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate courses are
more rigorous than undergraduate courses. Students taking this course for
graduate credit must:
-Read three additional books and write a two page response paper for each (three
papers)
-Complete an 18-20 page paper (undergraduate papers are only 12-13 pages)
-Use at least 10 secondary sources in the research paper (not counting required
reading)
Grading:
Grades will be calculated using the following point system:
Grades will be calculated using the following point system:
Class Participation: possible 20 points
Reflection Paragraphs: possible 80 points
Examinations: possible 600 points (300 points each)
Research Paper Oral Presentation: possible 30 points
Meetings with Instructor: 20 points
Completed Research Paper: possible 250 points
Three Response Papers for Extra books (Graduate Students Only): 100 points
Total Number of Points: 1,000 (1,100 for Graduate Students)
The following grading scale will be used:
4.0 A: Outstanding Work (93-100%)
3.7 A- : Excellent Work (90-92%)
3.3 B+: Near Excellent Work (87-89%)
3.0 B: Very Good Work (83-86%)
2.7 B-: Good Work (80-82%)
2.3 C+: Slightly Above Satisfactory Work (77-79%)
2.0 C: Satisfactory Work (73-76%)
1.7 C-: Slightly Below Satisfactory Work (70-72%)
1.3 D+: Passing Work (67-69%)
1.0 D: Minimum Passing Work (63-66%)
0.0 F: Failed—No Credit (0-62%)
0.0 I: Incomplete
If a student is on the border of a grade, the instructor will take into
consideration the overall performance of the student, class participation, and
amount of improvement.
Academic Honesty Policy: Missouri State University is a
community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the
responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible
for knowing and following the University’s academic integrity policy plus
additional more-specific policies for each class. The University policy,
formally known as the “Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures” is
available online at http://www.missouristate.edu/policy/Op3_01_AcademicIntegrityStudents.htm and
also at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any
form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this
policy.
Non-Discrimination Policy: Missouri State University is an equal
opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure
available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against.
At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible
discrimination to the Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance, Park
Central Office Building, 117 Park Central Square, Suite 111, 417-836-4252. Other
types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed
directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your
instructor’s Department Head. Please visit the OED website at www.missouristate.edu/equity/.
Policy on Disability
Accommodations: If you are a student with a disability and anticipate barriers related to
this course, it is important to request accommodations and establish an
accommodation plan with the University. Please contact the Disability Resource
Center (DRC) (https://www.missouristate.edu/disability/), Meyer Library, Suite
111, 417-836-4192, to initiate the process to establish your accommodation plan.
The DRC will work with you to establish your accommodation plan, or it may refer
you to other appropriate resources based on the nature of your disability. In
order to prepare an accommodation plan, the University usually requires that
students provide documentation relating to their disability. Please be prepared
to provide such documentation if requested. Once a University accommodation plan
is established, you may notify the class instructor of approved
accommodations. If you wish to utilize your accommodation plan, it is suggested
that you do so in a timely manner, preferably within the first two weeks of
class. Early notification to the instructor allows for full benefit of the
accommodations identified in the plan. Instructors will not receive the
accommodation plan until you provide that plan, and are not required to apply
accommodations retroactively.
Dropping this Class: It is your responsibility to
understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop
attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class,
you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay
for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the
university, contact the Office
of the Registrar at 836-5520.
Cell Phone Policy: As a member of the learning community,
each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the
community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class
or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of the
Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar
communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned
off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out
during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are an
integral part of the University’s emergency notification system, an exception to
this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this
occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a university
emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately
returned to silent mode and put away.
Emergency Response Statement: At the first class meeting, students
should become familiar with a basic emergency response plan through a dialogue
with the instructor that includes a review and awareness of exits specific to
the classroom and the location of evacuation centers for the building. All
instructors are provided this information specific to their classroom and/or lab
assignments in an e-mail prior to the beginning of the fall semester from the
Office of the Provost and Safety and Transportation. Students with disabilities
impacting mobility should discuss the approved accommodations for emergency
situations and additional options with the instructor.http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/51597.htm and http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm.
Mental Health and Stress Management: As
a student you may experience a range of personal issues that can impede
learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug
problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation.
These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic
performance and may reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. You
can learn more about free and confidential Missouri State University Counseling
Center services available to assist you at https://counselingcenter.missouristate.edu/.
Title IX Policy: Missouri
State University has a Title IX policy that guides our response to instances of
sexual violence. Sexual Violence includes: Rape, Sexual Assault, Sexual
Misconduct, Sexual Discrimination, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking,
Sexual Harassment and Pregnancy issues. The Title IX policy can be located on
the MSU Title IX website at www.missouristate.edu/titleix/.
This website is also a good resource for any questions or issues involving Title
IX and contains contact information for the MSU Title IX Office and staff.
Read an overview
of the Title IX office. If an MSU student discloses a Title IX
related issue to a MSU faculty or staff member who is deemed to be a
“Responsible Employee” under the policy, that faculty or staff member is
required to report such disclosure to the Title IX Coordinator. A responsible
employee includes any employee who has the authority to take action to redress
sexual violence; who has been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual
violence or any other misconduct by students to the Title IX Coordinator or
other appropriate school designee; or whom a student could reasonably believe
has the authority or duty to take action.
Chosen Name Policy: A student may choose a name other than
their legal name to identify themselves at Missouri State University. A chosen
name is different than the student’s legal name. Refer to the Chosen Name policy
for more information. Students can provide their chosen first and middle names
in the Profile tab of My Missouri State.
Statement on Religious Accommodations: The University may provide a reasonable
accommodation based on a person’s sincerely held religious belief. In
making this determination, the University reviews a variety of factors,
including whether the accommodation would create an undue hardship. The
accommodation request imposes responsibilities and obligations on both the
individual requesting the accommodation and the University. Students who expect
to miss classes, examinations, or other assignments as a consequence of their
sincerely held religious belief shall be provided with a reasonable alternative
opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of
students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious
observances on which they will be absent by submitting a Request for
Religious Accommodation Form to the instructor by the end of the
third week of a full semester course or the end of the second week of a half
semester course.
Religion at a
State University: Consistent with
Supreme Court decisions regarding the teaching of religion at public
institutions (Abington v. Schempp in
1963), this course approaches the study of religion from a non-confessional
standpoint. We will focus on describing and analyzing the place of religion in
American culture, rather than arguing for one religious tradition or
another. Students are free to express or not to express their own beliefs in
class.
Introducing Religion, Media, and Popular Culture
Wednesday January 17: Defining Religion—Coca Cola, Baseball, and Rock ‘n ’Roll
Optional
Reading: David Chidester, “The Church of Baseball, the Fetish of Coca-Cola, and
the Potlatch of Rock 'n' Roll.”
http://www.jstor.org/stable/1465620 (on campus only)
Unit I: Myth and Ritual on the Silver Screen
Friday January 19: Myth and Ritual in Film, Part I
Reading: S. Brent Plate, Religion and Film,
vii-17.
**Watch Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode
IV) over the weekend**
Monday January 22: Myth and Ritual in Film, Part II
Reading: S. Brent Plate, Religion and Film,
18-27 in first edition or 38-49 in the e-book of the second edition.
Reading: Bill Moyers, “The Mythology of ‘Star Wars’ with George Lucas,”
available at
http://billmoyers.com/content/mythology-of-star-wars-george-lucas/
Discussion: Star Wars and myth.
Wednesday January 24: Myth and Ritual in Film, Part III
Reading: Matthew Cressler, “Star Wars as American Religion.” Available at
http://usreligion.blogspot.com/2015/12/star-wars-as-american-religion.html
Reading: Patti McCarthy, “Why Do So Many People Find Meaning in Star Wars?”
https://newrepublic.com/article/126159/many-people-find-meaning-star-wars
Reading: Chaim Saiman, “Why The Last Jedi
Is More ‘Spiritual’ Than ‘Religious.’”
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/12/why-the-last-jedi-is-more-spiritual-than-religious/549146/
**Watch The Matrix
before Friday's class**
Friday January 26: Myth and Ritual in Film, Part IV
Reading: S. Brent Plate, Religion and Film, 27-37 or 49-58 in the e-book of the second edition.
Reading: James L. Ford, “Buddhism, Christianity, and The Matrix.”
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/jrf/vol4/iss2/1/
Reading: Frances Flannery-Dailey and Rachel L. Wagner, “Wake up! Gnosticism and
Buddhism in The Matrix.”
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1779&context=jrf
Discussion: The Matrix and myth.
Monday January 29: Myth and Ritual in Film, Part V
Reading: S. Brent Plate, Religion and Film, 38-58 or 59-82 in the e-book second edition
Wednesday January 31: Myth and Ritual in Film, Part VI
Reading: S. Brent Plate, Religion and Film, 78-91 or 170-196 in the e-book second edition
Friday February 2: Myth and Ritual in Harry Potter
Reading: Michael Gerson, “Harry Potter and the Power of Myth.” Available at
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/harry-potter-and-the-power-of-myth/2011/07/18/gIQArUChMI_story.html
Reading: Abby Ohlheiser, “Fans of Action: How Harry Potter Inspired a New
Generation of Activists.” Available at
https://wp.nyu.edu/therevealer/2011/07/24/fans-of-action-how-harry-potter-inspired-a-new-generation-of-activists/
Reading: Sara Boboltz, “Why Two Harvard Academics Talk About ‘Harry Potter’ Like
It’s The Bible.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-two-harvard-divinity-experts-talk-about-harry-potter-as-if-it-were-the-bible_us_57bf3bdae4b02673444f1511
In-Class Podcast: Episodes from Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
http://www.harrypottersacredtext.com
Paragraph Due Today: How does Harry Potter resemble religion? Discuss myth, sacred texts, and social activism.
Monday February 5: Myth and Ritual in J.R.R. Tolkien
Reading: J.R.R. Tolkien, “On Fairy Stories,” 1-27. Available at
http://brainstorm-services.com/wcu-2004/fairystories-tolkien.pdf
Reading: Christopher Howse, “The Hobbit Unearths a Hoard of Myths.” Available at
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9575599/The-Hobbit-unearths-a-hoard-of-myths.html
Wednesday February 7: Myth and Ritual in the Wizard of Oz
Reading: Evan I. Schwartz, “Matilda Joslyn Gage: The Unlikely Inspiration for
the Wizard of Oz.” Available at
http://www.historynet.com/matilda-josyln-gage-the-unlikely-inspiration-for-the-wizard-of-oz.htm
Reading: John Alego, “Oz as Myth and Mysticism.” Available at
https://www.theosophical.org/publications/1550
Reading: Peter Steinfels, “Following the Yellow Brick Road, and Finding a
Spiritual Path.”
http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/28/us/following-the-yellow-brick-road-and-finding-a-spiritual-path.html
Unit II: Conspiracy Theories, Myth, and "Fake News"
Friday February 9: Culture
of Conspiracy, Part I
Reading: Michael Barkun, A Culture of
Conspiracy, ix-38.
Monday February 12: Culture
of Conspiracy, Part II
Reading: Michael Barkun, A Culture of
Conspiracy, 39-98.
Wednesday February 14:
Culture of Conspiracy, Part
Reading: Michael Barkun, A Culture of
Conspiracy, 99-158.
Friday February 16: Culture
of Conspiracy, Part IV
Reading: Michael Barkun, A Culture of Conspiracy, 159-217.
Wednesday February 21:
Culture of Conspiracy, Part V
Reading: Michael Barkun, A Culture of
Conspiracy, 219-239.
Friday February 23: The
Paranoid Style and Political Conspiracy Theories
Reading: Richard Hofstadter, “The Paranoid Style in American Politics.”
http://harpers.org/archive/1964/11/the-paranoid-style-in-american-politics/
Reading: Kurt Andersen, “How America Lost Its Mind.”
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/how-america-lost-its-mind/534231/
Reading: Emmett Rensin, “The Smug Style in American Liberalism.”
https://www.vox.com/2016/4/21/11451378/smug-american-liberalism
Paragraph Due Today: Discuss the relevance of Hofstadter, Andersen, and Rensin for analyzing public discourse in contemporary America. Who gets it right?
Unit III: Religion in American Sports
Monday February 26: The Religious Roots of Basketball
Reading: Jayson Jenks, “The Rules of the Game.” http://grantland.com/features/dr-james-naismith-bill-self-history-basketball-kansas/
Reading: Richard
Sandomir, “Basketball’s Birth, in James Naismith’s Own Spoken Words.”
Reading: Coach Andrew
McDonald, “What Reward?” in the Southwest
Standard.
http://digitalcollections.missouristate.edu/cdm/ref/collection/Standard/id/6262
Reading: Paul Putz,
“John Wooden’s Homespun Creed Was Not So Homespun.”
http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/sports_nut/2017/05/john_wooden_s_seven_point_creed_came_from_a_1931_magazine_article.html
Wednesday February 28: Catholic Basketball, Part I
Reading: Julie Byrne,
O God of Players, xi-54.
Friday March 2: Catholic Basketball, Part II
Reading: Julie Byrne,
O God of Players, 55-112
Monday March 5: Catholic Basketball, Part
Reading: Julie Byrne,
O God of Players, 113-141.
Wednesday March 7: Catholic Basketball, Part IV
Reading: Julie Byrne,
O God of Players, 142-211.
Friday March 9: Examination #1
Unit IV: Religion and American Popular Music
Monday March 19: A Conjoining of Ancient Song?
Reading: “Black
America's musical links to Scotland.”
https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/black-america-s-musical-links-to-scotland-1-465474
Reading: Willie Ruff,
“The Line Connecting Gaelic Psalm Singing & American Music.”
http://www.willieruff.com/linesinging.html
Reading: Simon
Johnson, “Rap music originated in medieval Scottish pubs, claims American
professor.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/3998862/Rap-music-originated-in-medieval-Scottish-pubs-claims-American-professor.html
Reading: Terry
Miller, “A Myth in the Making: Willie Ruff, Black Gospel and an Imagined Gaelic
Scottish Origin.”
https://www.jstor.org/stable/27808678?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
In-Class Documentary:
A Conjoining of Ancient Song (2013).
https://vimeo.com/82304757
Wednesday March 21: Stomping the Blues
Reading: Albert Murray, Stomping the
Blues.
http://russellmotter.com/Song_10.2.17_files/Murray,%20Stomping%20the%20Blues.pdf
In-Class Documentary: The Last of the Blue
Devils (1979)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h89dV0-N9DU
Friday March 23: Religion and Black Popular Music, Part I
Reading: Teresa Reed, The Holy Profane:
Religion in Black Popular Music, 1-38.
Monday March 26: Religion and Black Popular Music, Part II
Reading, Teresa Reed, The Holy Profane:
Religion in Black Popular Music, 89-112
Wednesday March 28: Religion and Black Popular Music Part III
Reading: Teresa Reed, The Holy Profane: Religion in Black Popular Music, 113-147.
Monday April 2: Hip Hop Theology
Reading: Miguelito, “Praise & Questions: How Kendrick & Chance Talk to God in
Different Ways.”
http://djbooth.net/news/entry/2017-04-21-kendrick-chance-talking-to-god
Wednesday April 4: Southern Evangelicalism and Rock n’ Roll
Reading: Charles Reagan Wilson, “‘Just a Little Talk with Jesus.’”
Southern Cultures.
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/southern_cultures/v012/12.4wilson.html (on
campus)
Friday April 6: Queen City Music
Reading: Rick Kogan, “A former newspaperman's scoop: Springfield, Mo., has a
music scene too.”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ae-0528-hoekstra-music-scene-kogan-sidewalks-20170525-column.html
Reading: Dave Hoekstra, “Dreams Come True in Springfield, Missouri.”
http://www.davehoekstra.com/2013/01/11/dreams-come-true-in-springfield-missouri/
Reading: Dave Hoekstra, “The Last Barn Dance in America.”
http://www.davehoekstra.com/2014/11/25/the-last-barn-dance-in-america/
Reading: Dave Hoekstra, “The American Beat of Bobby Lloyd Hicks.”
http://www.davehoekstra.com/2017/02/20/2629/
Reading: Dave Hoekstra, “The Sound of Springfield, Missouri.”
http://www.davehoekstra.com/2017/05/31/the-sound-of-springfield-missouri/
In-Class Documentary: Songs of an Unsung
America (trailer).
http://www.songsofanunsungamerica.com
P
Unit V: Islam in American Popular Culture—Sports, Music, and Architecture
Monday April 9: Islam and American Popular Music
Reading: Amir Hussain, Muslims and the
Making of America, 39-59.
Wednesday April 11: Islam and American Sports
Reading: Amir Hussain, Muslims and the
Making of America, 61-79.
Friday
April 13: Interfaith Friendship in American Sports
Reading: “Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reflects on his enduring friendship with UCLA
Coach John Wooden.”
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/stories-20170530-2634661
Reading: Amir Hussain, “A Muslim Reflects on Christian Theologian (and UCLA
Coach) John Wooden.”
http://religiondispatches.org/a-muslim-reflects-on-christian-theologian-and-ucla-coach-john-wooden/
Reading: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, “A Year of Turmoil and Decision.”
https://www.si.com/vault/1969/11/10/612258/a-year-of-turmoil-and-decision
Monday April 16: Islam and American Architecture
Reading: Amir Hussain, Muslims and the
Making of America, 81-103.
Reading: Omar Khalidi, “Fantasy, Faith, and Fraternity: American Architecture of
Moorish Inspiration.”
https://archnet.org/system/publications/contents/4742/original/DPC1435.pdf?1417444024
Reading: Kaitlyn McConnell, “History shines through Springfield’s Shrine
Mosque.”
http://www.ozarksalive.com/history-shines-through-springfields-shrine-mosque/
Unit VI: Jews in American Popular Culture
Wednesday April 18: American
Jews and the
Comics, Part I
Reading: Arie Kaplan, From Krakow to
Krypton, x-81.
Friday April
20: American Jews and the Comics, Part II
Reading: Arie Kaplan, From Krakow to
Krypton, 83-159.
Monday April 23: American Jews and the Comics, Part III
Reading: Arie Kaplan, From Krakow to
Krypton, 161-210.
Wednesday April 25: Test #2
Friday April 27: Student Presentations
Monday April 30: Student Presentations
Wednesday May 2: Student Presentations
Friday May 4: Student Presentations
Monday May 7: Student Presentations
Wednesday May 9: Student Presentations
**Final Paper Due Friday May 11 in Strong Hall 263**