Making Sense of Religion
Studying religion doesn't have to mean getting bogged down in endless arguments about who is "right" or what is "true." Instead, this course takes a step back to look at the powerful, hidden architecture that shapes all faiths. By exploring religion through five distinct lenses—the sacred, myth, ritual, community, and the individual—we will uncover how human beings construct meaning, build societies, and understand their place in the universe.
Image credit: A woman wades into the waters of Ramirez Beach as part of a ritual honoring the African sea goddess Yemanja, in Montevideo, Uruguay, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico, File)
Your Instructor
PhD in Humanities
Emory University
A teacher, scholar, and administrator in higher education for over thirty years, my odyssey begins in the Appalachian Mountains and now finds me at home in the City of Angels. In between I have encountered a number of gods and monsters but have always looked for ways to wisdom for myself and others. Trained in interdisciplinary humanities, I have taught courses in literature, philosophy, and religious studies in small liberal arts colleges, regional universities, and Research I institutions. Since 2000 I have created and taught courses online at several universities, including Rutgers, Maryland, and Walden. Publications include articles and books on Native American literature, postmodernism, literature and theology, and other interdisciplinary topics. Currently, I write and teach a few courses and am especially excited about Thicket.
What you'll learn
Differentiate between the emic approach to religion (arguments over truth and ethics) and the etic approach (academic, phenomenon-based study of religion)
Understand various concepts of the sacred in world religions
Develop independent critical perspectives regarding how religious myths and symbols shape an individual's sense of self and position within a broader society
Explore how repetitive rituals and communal spaces construct social cohesion, express shared values, and establish relationships within diverse communities
Compare the underlying structures of seemingly disparate belief systems to identify common cross-cultural patterns in how humans generate meaning
Course Schedule
This module explores the foundational concepts that define the religious experience, focusing on how human beings encounter and interact with the divine, which is likely not what you think it is. Drawing from key historical and sociological perspectives, the lecture investigates the sharp contrast between the ordinary world and the spiritual realm. Students will examine how these concepts are not just abstract ideas, but lived realities experienced through physical locations, structured temporal periods, and altered states of consciousness.
What You Get
Live interactive sessions
Engage in real-time discussions with expert instructors
Small discussion groups
Up to 15 students for personalized attention
Session recordings
Review and revisit class content anytime
Dedicated platform
Track progress and organize your schedule
Frequently asked questions
Course-specific questions
Your Instructor
PhD in Humanities
Emory University
A teacher, scholar, and administrator in higher education for over thirty years, my odyssey begins in the Appalachian Mountains and now finds me at home in the City of Angels. In between I have encountered a number of gods and monsters but have always looked for ways to wisdom for myself and others. Trained in interdisciplinary humanities, I have taught courses in literature, philosophy, and religious studies in small liberal arts colleges, regional universities, and Research I institutions. Since 2000 I have created and taught courses online at several universities, including Rutgers, Maryland, and Walden. Publications include articles and books on Native American literature, postmodernism, literature and theology, and other interdisciplinary topics. Currently, I write and teach a few courses and am especially excited about Thicket.