COMM1062 · Communication

Spiritual, but Not Religious, Meaning Making in Media and Culture

Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences

This is a one-credit pass/fail course. When asked to identify their religion, younger generations of Americans increasingly identify as "non" or "unaffiliated." At the same time, young people appear to be pursuing deeper meaning through practices like hiking pilgrimages, joining exercise communities like SoulCycle and CrossFit, reading Harry Potter books as sacred texts, meditating to mindfulness apps, following the latest wellness fad promoted by celebrity gurus, sharing inspirational astrology quotes on Instagram, and participating in digital detox retreats. This one-credit course will use digital media and cultural spaces as the main sites to explore the various ways young Americans remain religious in their pursuit of spiritual significance and intimate connections with others. Students will read contemporary reflections, both academic and popular, on these emerging practices while they will also engage with these media spaces in their daily lives to reflect on the shifting ways that "religious nones" seek meaning and connections in their daily lives.