SOC 0580 - Cults in the U.S.

Summer 3 Credit Hours
We will study religious cults (also known as “New Religious Movements”) in the United States today. The class will examine the nature of religious cults in modern society from a theoretical perspective. We will then discuss several specific examples including some of the larger, more well-known cults in recent history (such as the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, The Church of Scientology, and Alamo Christian Ministries) and smaller, lesser-known groups operating within the Midwestern United States. We will focus on cults and cult-like groups in the four states area. Prerequisite: 6 hours of sociology, Graduate Standing, or Consent of Professor.