A study of selected problems or current developments in relation to the Old and/or New Testaments. Topics may include history and myth in the Ancient Near East, the social world of the prophets, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the historical Jesus and hermeneutics. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
| Distribution Area | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 course |
Fall Semester information
340A: Topics:Religion and Science Fiction in Japan
Is there "God" in Godzilla? Does Studio Ghibli's Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind draw from Shinto? Could science fiction function as a kind of religion? This course explores the intersection of religion and science fiction in Japan, examining how religious ideas and practices shape, as well as are reshaped, by speculative narratives. We will analyze both classical and contemporary religious texts alongside major works of Japanese science fiction, considering their cultural reception and impact on Japanese society. Course materials will include pop culture texts such as Neon Genesis Evangelion and Tezuka Osamu's Phoenix, as well as canonical works from Shinto, Buddhism, and other Japanese religions. By the end of the course, students will have developed a deeper understanding of Japanese religions and popular culture, as well as the broader connections between religion and science fiction.