REL 370 | Everyday Spirituality in the Contemporary World

This course examines everyday spirituality and lived religion in the contemporary world. As organized religion declines, spiritual engagement persists in new forms. This course explores how individuals seek meaning, transcendence, and connection beyond traditional religious institutions, particularly among those identifying as 'spiritual but not religious' (SBNR). Taking a multidisciplinary approach, students will investigate spiritual practices such as nature walks, creative arts, mindfulness, relationships, and caring for animals, analyzing their impact on identity, well-being, and social belonging.
This is a stacked course with REL 470. REL 370 focuses on case studies and critical analysis, with group presentation assignments, while REL 470 requires deeper theoretical engagement, research methodologies, and an individual research project. The first half of the course covers theory and contemporary research, while the second half applies these insights to final projects through writing, analysis, and presentations.