Media & Religion 

The course “Media and Religion,” taught me that the majority of the media and public discourses that we are exposed to all revolve around religion either directly or indirectly. I gained an understanding of the close relationship that is between religious narratives and the media in a “secular” age, particularly focusing on Islamophobia. Exploring the different strategies the media employs to shape perceptions of religion and construct narratives, such as orientalist depictions of Muslims and the portrayal of Islam as a threat, was extremely insightful. One thing in particular that resonated with me was the concept of the “monster narrative” which suggests that fear is strategically employed to manipulate public opinion, perpetuate stereotypes, and serve political agendas. Nathan Lean’s Islamophobia Industry: How the Right Manufactures Fear of Muslims was one of the readings that was covered in class, and delved deeper into understanding how the right-wing uses fear, specifically through the portrayal of Islam as a monster or a threat that is lurking. It highlighted the power dynamics that exist within the system and their role in shaping societal perceptions in the media to reinforce such narratives. Class discussions also resonated with me, as we explored how the emphasis on certain attributes of religious ideologies contributes to racial discrimination within society For example, western media accentuates the differences between the east and the west to create the us vs them narrative. This dynamic often fosters a mindset that exemplifies the perceived incompatibility, such as the contrast highlighted between Sharia law and democracy in the United States. Overall, the course also emphasized the importance of critical thinking skills in analyzing media content related to religion. Learning to recognize biases in news coverage, especially concerning violence narratives involving religion, was a valuable skill. This critical lens helps create an awareness beyond the specific context of Islamophobia, empowering me to apply this knowledge to other issues and controversies.