RE220-OC: RELIGION AND POPULAR CULTURE IN TENSION Project – 20210628Q

OVERVIEW Lesson 6 focuses on moral debates in popular culture using the category of Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue. Two of that lesson’s objectives where to explain the various ways sexual lyrics function in dancehall, and evaluate the ways reggae artists legitimate homophobia in dancehall. The lesson looked at how popular culture can both reinforce moral norms (such as heteronormativity reiterated in dancehall) and challenge religious traditions for their moral failings (Sinead O’Connor’s criticism of the Catholic Church, or Arrested Development’s criticism of Black churches for failing to nurture African-Americans). It also covered the conflicts over the meaning of yoga by religious and secular practitioners. Each of these is an example of tensions that arise between religion and popular culture. (Remember, using the Religion and Popular Culture in Dialogue category, we are extending our definition of religion to include debates over ethics, as moral principles and social values are traditionally the realm of religion: “these issues are not directly about religion, but they are ethical arenas to which religious values pertain” (Forbes and Mahan. 2017, 20)). YOUR TASK For this project you are to analyse Lil Nas X’s “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” official video. The video is boldly homoerotic and plays with Christian imagery and mythology beginning in the Garden of Eden and ending up in Hell where the singer lap dances on Satan. You are to respond to one of the following prompts, which encourage you to think about this video in the context of RE220OC. Your project should have a clear thesis supported by specific examples, demonstrate close engagement with course concepts and critical thinking, and follow all relevant Writing Tips found on MyLS. You may write an essay but I am open to other projects as well, such as a podcast (no more than 10 minutes long). If you would like to pitch another idea for a project instead of an essay or podcast, please do this at least two weeks in advance of the due date. In addition to the video, your analysis can also look at other songs and videos by Lil Nas X, the artist himself (his Twitter account is a goldmine), and the controversy around his “Satan Shoes” i will send you the materials when you comfirm Requirements: no more than 1100 words, double-spaced the part that needed to be edit: MUST USE IN CLASS MATERIALS NO OUTSIDE SOURCES, there are two outside sources used Requirements: no more than 1100 words, double-spaced