Christopher ChaseChase portrait

Areas of Interest

  • American Religious Studies
  • American Music
  • Experimental Fiction

Biography

Christopher W. Chase is currently a PhD Candidate in the American Studies Program. He arrived at MSU as an invited Competitive Doctoral Enrichment Fellow, where he has taught and researched since Fall of 2001, except for a brief period when he served as Adjunct Lecturer in Religious Studies at Albion College. Having served a faculty appointment at the Center for Advanced Study of International Development, Chase currently teaches courses concerning religion in American history, literature and culture, as well as introductory courses in Western religions, Eastern religions, and world humanities. He earned his M.A. in Religious Studies at Arizona State University in the summer of 2001, focusing on mythic dimensions of religious conversion in 19th century European occultism. His B.A., focusing on Philosophy and Religious Studies, was earned at Oklahoma State University in 1995.

Having completed comprehensive review exams in the areas of American religious history, American musical cultures, and 20th century American experimental fiction, he is currently writing his dissertation, Channeling Orpheus: Religious and Musical Ecologies In Contemporary Paganism. His most recent article from this project, "Be Pagan Once Again": Folk Music, Heritage, and Socio-sacred networks in Contemporary American Paganism," can be found in The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies (November 2006). Another article concerning the influence of Islam in jazz music is forthcoming from Jazz Perspectives.

Want more information? Visit Christopher's website here.