Lecturer
Faculty
Office
Harvill 347B
Office hours
Spring 2019: Tuesdays/Thursdays: 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Dr. Konden Smith (Ph.D. in Religious Studies, Arizona State University) is Lecturer of Religious Studies. He was the Burns Faculty Fellow for 2014-2015. Dr. Smith specializes in American Religious History, with a particular expertise in Mormon Studies. He is the author of Opening the American Frontier: The Co-Evolution of the Mormon and American Kingdoms of God (University of Utah Press, forthcoming) and the co-editor of Reed Smoot: American Politics and American Religion (University of Utah Press, forthcoming). He teaches courses on American and world religions, western mysticism, and religion and popular culture.
Area of Specialization:
19th Century American Millennialism, Mormon Studies, World Religions, and Religion and Theory
Currently Teaching
RELI 227 – Religion and Film
This course explores religion and its relationship with visual storytelling culture. We will analyze, explore, and challenge various religious, pop-cultural, ideological, and moral messages as presented in various types of film, from art house cinema to blockbuster movies, and genres ranging from horror to comedy.
RELI 413 – Mormonism in American History and Culture
This course examines the rise of Mormonism as a uniquely "American" religious phenomenon, examining Mormons' engagement with social, political, economic, and sexual dynamics in American life from the nineteenth century to the present day. Mormon history provides a lens for examining key topics in American religious history, including the creation, maintenance, and fragmentation of New Religious Movements; religious violence; church/state relations; constructions of race, gender, and sexuality; modern sacred space; and the globalization of religion.
RELI 513 – Mormonism in American History and Culture
This course examines the rise of Mormonism as a uniquely "American" religious phenomenon, examining Mormons' engagement with social, political, economic, and sexual dynamics in American life from the nineteenth century to the present day. Mormon history provides a lens for examining key topics in American religious history, including the creation, maintenance, and fragmentation of New Religious Movements; religious violence; church/state relations; constructions of race, gender, and sexuality; modern sacred space; and the globalization of religion. Graduate-level requirements include an original research paper of fifteen to twenty pages in length.