Unit name | Sociology of Religion |
---|---|
Unit code | SOCI20023 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | I/5 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
Unit director | Dr. Flanagan |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit examines traditional and contemporary sociological responses to the persistence of religion in contemporary culture. The unit deals with the controversies surrounding the definition of religion and secularisation; Weber and Durkheim; the rise of holistic spirituality; spiritual capital; prayer; conversion and evil; and the relationship between memory, nostalgia and religious belief. These topics illustrate the complexity of religion but also sociological efforts to characterise its ongoing significance as modernity matures.
Aims:
1. to highlight the distinctive contribution sociology makes to understanding religion and religiosity
2. to set religion in the context of anthropology and theology and to relate these approaches to sociological notions of belief and practice
3. to address the wider cultural significance of religion to show the relationship between religion, modernity and postmodernity
1 hour of lecture and 2 hours of seminars.
Formative 2000 word essay or equivalent
Summative 3000 word essay or equivalent
Both formative and summative essays or equivalent address learning outcomes 1-4.