Understanding Religion and Popular Culture

Understanding Religion and Popular Culture 2nd edition provides an accessible introduction to this exciting and rapidly evolving field. Divided into two parts, Issues in Religion and Genres in Popular Culture, it encourages readers to think critically about the ways in which popular cultural practices and products, especially those considered as forms of entertainment, are laden with religious ideas, themes, and values.

This edition has been thoroughly revised and includes five new chapters, updated case studies, and contemporary references. Among the areas covered are religion and film, food, violence, music, television, cosplay, and fandom. Each chapter also includes a helpful summary, glossary, bibliography, discussion questions, and suggestions for further reading/viewing.

Providing a set of practical and theoretical tools for learning and research, this book is an essential read for all students of Religion and Popular Culture, or Religion and Media more broadly.

Elizabeth Rae Coody is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Morningside University, Sioux City, Iowa, United States and co-editor of Monstrous Women in Comics (2020).

Dan W. Clanton Jr. is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Doane University, USA. He is the author, editor, or co-editor of a number of books and articles on religion, the Bible, and popular culture.

Terry Ray Clark is Professor of Religion and Chair of the Religion Department at Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY.