FS 019 PZ -Atheism and Secularity

Institution: Pitzer

Description: Over the last several decades, atheism and secularity have been on the rise - most dramatically in North America, Europe, and Asia, but also in South America, Africa, and the Middle East. This course will examine various aspects of atheism and secularity. We will approach these topics historically (looking at evidence of irreligiosity in the past), philosophically (looking at atheism, skepticism, empiricism, naturalism, humanism, and existentialism, and sociologically (analyzing who tends to be secular, the contours of secular culture, what causes secularization, and how secularity is linked to broader social patterns, demographics, politics, etc.) In addition to lectures, discussions, and assigned readings students will also be expected to conduct in-depth interviews and related qualitative research.

Prerequisite(s): None

First-Year seminars are not listed on the course schedule. Incoming students will be assigned to a first-year seminar and registered automatically.