SCY2131

Sociology of religion

Proposed to be offered next in 2000

Neville Knight

8 points - 3 hours per week - Second semester - Caulfield - Prerequisites: First-year SCY sequence or equivalent - Prohibition: RLT2131

Objectives Students in this subject will develop an awareness of the impact of religion in society throughout history and in contemporary life; an understanding of the interrelationship of religion and society in such areas as culture, social integration and social change, and the main theoretical perspectives used to interpret and explain this interrelationship; an appreciation of the central role played by different religions in the social construction of human meaning systems and institutions, and in the processes of socialisation and social control; an ability to identify and evaluate views expressed by different authors writing about religion and society; and a competence in articulating arguments orally and in written form on a variety of topics in the sociology of religion.

Synopsis In this subject the following topics will be examined: religion and sociology; religion: sword or sacred canopy; the functions of religion in society; the development of religion in primitive and modern societies; spiritual experiences and the search for meaning in life; religion and social inequality; religious change and social change; gender issues and religion; protestantism and the development of capitalism; the church-sect typology of religious groups; religion and secularisation; the religious factor in Australian life; and the concept of membership applied to a religious group such as a church.

Assessment One seminar paper (2000 words): 30% - One essay (2000 words): 30% - Test (2 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

A reader will be available from the department at Caulfield

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