Keio University Syllabus and Timetable

Religious movements around the world have developed highly effective ways to grow, compete, and sustain influence. In this course, we analyze religions as mission-driven organizations that operate in “markets” for attention, belonging, meaning, and trust. Like businesses and other competitive institutions, religious groups recruit and retain participants, allocate resources, build brands and reputations, develop networks, and scale their activities locally and globally. As powerful platforms, they connect people seeking a wide range of benefits—from spiritual formation and community to social capital, professional opportunities, and political access—making them significant actors in today’s economies and societies.

Using an economic lens, the course draws especially on The Divine Economy: How Religions Compete for Wealth, Power, and People (supported by additional cases and readings). Through a mix of close readings, brief lectures and student presentations, structured discussions, and applied project work, students will develop practical frameworks for understanding how religious organizations create value, differentiate themselves, build loyalty, and attempt to maintain legitimacy. Key themes include religious supply and demand, the platform model of religion, mechanisms of commitment (ritual and social bonding), the role of belief, and the power of narrative in shaping meaning, identity, and decision-making.

Religious literacy is an increasingly important professional skill for leaders working in diverse environments. This is especially true overseas, but also increasingly here in Japan. By the end of the course, students will be able to: use core concepts to analyze religions as platforms; identify the strategies and mechanisms by which religious organizations build and sustain power and influence; evaluate the economic and ethical implications of religious influence in public and private life; and apply course insights to communicate and collaborate more effectively with people from different religious backgrounds in professional and non-professional settings.

Not applicable

Presentations
Discussions, Debates
Group work
Flipped classroom

Students will be expected to complete weekly assignments in preparation for each session. Completion of the assignments should take 3 to 4 hours on average.

Participation and Discussion Engagement (20%)
Weekly Prep and Short Reflections (35%)
Presentations and Discussion-Leading (25%)
Final Project (20%)
(Class participation will be assessed in part based on the quality of preparation, as reflected in the assignments and reports. Unexcused absences, tardiness, and leaving early may result in grade deductions. In principle, four or more absences/tardies will result in failure of the course.)

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, etc., may be permitted in some contexts. Do not use generative AI tools such as Gemini, ChatGPT, etc., unless permission is explicitly granted. Carefully follow instructions regarding acceptable and unacceptable uses. Send any questions you have about appropriate use to the instructor via KLMS or directly by email.

Seabright, Paul. (2025). The Divine Economy: How Religions Compete for Wealth, Power, and People. Princeton Univ Press. ISBN: 978-0691277875
Other reading materials will be provided in print and/or digital formats. Some materials may be selected through student research in consultation with the instructor.

References will be selected and shared in accordance with the interests and needs of seminar participants.

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