Dr. MacWilliams is a Professor of Religious Studies. He teaches courses in several areas in the field for the Department, but his interests lie primarily in Japan. His major course offerings include:
REL 100 – Mystery and Meaning; the Department’s 100 level introductory course on the study of religion.
REL 200 – Explaining Religion.
REL 218 – Fantasy Religion; Japanese Anime and Spirituality.
REL 222 – The Buddhist Religious Tradition.
REL 223 – Religious Life of China.
REL 226 – Religious Life of Japan;
REL 331 – Pilgrimage as a Spiritual Journey.
REL 334 – The Ways of the Gods; Shinto in Modern Japanese Religion.
REL 3019 – Buddhism and Neuroscience (with Joe Erlichman)
REL 273 – Religion and Visual Culture.
He received his Ph.D. in History of Religions at the University of Chicago, his M.A. in Religious Studies at Indiana University, and his B.A. at Syracuse University.
Dr. MacWilliams has conducted special research in Japanese pilgrimage in Japan —particularly the Chichibu Kannon pilgrimage route, and is interested in religion and film; religion and the internet; and “spirituality” and religion in Japanese pop culture – comic books (manga) and anime.