SCY2131

Sociology of religion

Neville Knight

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

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; a competence in articulating arguments orally and in written form on a variety of topics in the sociology of religion.

Synopsis 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. 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

Reader available on enrolment for purchase
Bouma G D Religion: Meaning, transcendence and community in Australia Longman Cheshire, 1992