Module HPS-2008:
Sociology of Religion
Module Facts
Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 2
Organiser: Dr Farhaan Wali
Overall aims and purpose
Not all religions share the same set of beliefs, but in one form or another, religion is found in all known human societies. Even the earliest societies on record show clear traces of religious symbols and ceremonies. Throughout history, religion has continued to be a central part of human experience, shaping how individuals react to the environments in which they live. Yet, in the wake of the enlightenment, many theorists predicted ‘the death of religion’. However, some sociologists believe, the recent public and political interest in religion has sparked a religious revival across the world. In order to make sense of the changing function of religion, this module will examine the different sociological perspectives and approaches to the study of religion. The module will seek to address a range of modern debates (such as the increasing politicisation of religion and the secularisation debate), and to investigate these within an assortment of religious settings. These contemporary debates will be grounded within a fixed sociological framework, which will be constructed around the contributions of both classical sociologists, such as Durkheim, Marx and Weber, and recent sociologists.
Course content
This module provides a comprehensive discussion of the classical and modern theoretical underpinnings of the sociological study of religion. The module will cover several theoretical topics and issues: Firstly, the origins of religious belief and practice will be explored by reviewing the major theories related to the debates on the social origin of religion. Secondly, the module will provide different theoretical foundations for understanding religion in modern social life, its culture and institutions. Thirdly, the module will identify common themes across religious traditions, providing broader insight into different understandings of religion, of those who practice religion, and how religious motivations and justifications affect the social world. Fourthly, these common themes will be examined within a sociological framework, which will be built on the contributions of both classical sociologists, such as Durkheim, Marx and Weber, and recent sociologists.
Assessment Criteria
C- to C+
Good C- - C +. Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates: Good structure and logically developed arguments. At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and sound reasoning. Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.
good
Very Good B- - B+. Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates: Very good structure and logically developed arguments. Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning. Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.
threshold
Threshold: D- - D +. Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows: Generally accurate but with omissions and errors. Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning. Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions. Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.
Learning outcomes
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To conduct a critical analysis of sociological theories and arguments
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To demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key theories and arguments in the sociology of religion.
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To show awareness of, and the ability to organize, different sociological approaches and interpretations.
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To be able to distinguish among the major classical and contemporary theoretical approaches employed by sociologists in the study of religion
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To identify and focus on key issues and select and arrange material from a variety of secondary sociological sources
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To construct a sustained argument and demonstrate intellectual flexibility in assessing concrete situations and issues
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
ESSAY | 2,500 word essay | 50.00 | |
CASE STUDY | 1,500 word case study | 50.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Lecture | 24 | |
Private study | 176 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
Courses including this module
Optional in courses:
- LM3Y: BA Cymdeithaseg&CriminologyCrimJ year 2 (BA/CCCJ)
- M93B: BA Criminology & Criminal Just (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 2 (BA/CCJ1)
- M931: BA Criminology & Criminal Justice with International Exp year 2 (BA/CJIE)
- M930: BA Criminology & Criminal Justice year 2 (BA/CRIM)
- M93P: BA Criminology and Criminal Justice with Placement Year year 2 (BA/CRIMP)
- X315: BA Childhood and Youth Studies and Sociology year 2 (BA/CYSS)
- LL13: BA Sociology/Economics year 2 (BA/ECS)
- LL2B: BA Sociology & Economics (4 yr with Incorporated Foundation) year 2 (BA/ECS1)
- 3QV1: BA History and English Literature year 2 (BA/ELH)
- LQ3J: BA English Lang. & Sociology year 2 (BA/ELSOC)
- P3V1: BA Film Studies and History year 2 (BA/FSH)
- V100: BA History year 2 (BA/H)
- V103: BA History and Archaeology year 2 (BA/HA)
- V1V9: BA History with Archaeology with International Experience year 2 (BA/HAIE)
- V13P: BA History and Archaeology with Placement Year year 2 (BA/HAP)
- V1V4: BA History with Archaeology year 2 (BA/HAR)
- MVX1: BA History/Criminology year 2 (BA/HCR)
- LV11: BA History/Economics year 2 (BA/HEC)
- V10F: BA History [with Foundation Year] year 2 (BA/HF)
- RV11: BA History/French year 2 (BA/HFR)
- V1W6: BA History with Film Studies year 2 (BA/HFS)
- V1W7: BA History with Film Studies with International Experience year 2 (BA/HFSIE)
- RV21: BA History/German year 2 (BA/HG)
- 8B03: BA History (with International Experience) year 2 (BA/HIE)
- RV31: BA History/Italian year 2 (BA/HIT)
- RV32: BA History and Italian (with International Experience) year 2 (BA/HITIE)
- V1P5: BA History with Journalism year 2 (BA/HJ)
- 8S11: BA History with Journalism (with International Experience) year 2 (BA/HJIE)
- VW13: BA History and Music year 2 (BA/HMU)
- VW14: BA History and Music with International Experience year 2 (BA/HMUIE)
- V10P: BA History with Placement Year year 2 (BA/HP)
- RV41: BA History/Spanish year 2 (BA/HSP)
- V140: BA Modern & Contemporary History year 2 (BA/MCH)
- V130: BA Mediaeval and Early Modern His year 2 (BA/MEMH)
- VV15: BA Medieval & Early Modern History with International Exp year 2 (BA/MEMHIE)
- LP33: BA Media Studies and Sociology year 2 (BA/MSSOC)
- L401: Polisi Cymdeithasol year 2 (BA/PC)
- LM4X: BA Polisi Cymdeithasol & Criminology and Criminal Justice year 2 (BA/PCCCJ)
- VV56: BA Philosophy and Religion year 2 (BA/PHRE)
- VV5P: BA Philosophy and Religion with Placement Year year 2 (BA/PHREP)
- 3VQV: BA Philosophy and Religion and English Literature year 2 (BA/PREN)
- VVR1: BA Philosophy and Religion and French year 2 (BA/PRF)
- VVR2: BA Philosophy and Religion and German year 2 (BA/PRG)
- VVV1: BA Philosophy and Religion and History year 2 (BA/PRH)
- VVR3: BA Philosophy and Religion and Italian year 2 (BA/PRI)
- VV57: BA Philosophy and Religion with International Experience year 2 (BA/PRIE)
- VVW3: BA Philosophy and Religion and Music year 2 (BA/PRM)
- VVR4: BA Philosophy and Religion and Spanish year 2 (BA/PRS)
- VVV2: BA Philosophy and Religion and Welsh History year 2 (BA/PRWH)
- CL83: BA Sociology/Psychology year 2 (BA/PS)
- L300: BA Sociology year 2 (BA/S)
- L31B: BA Sociology (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 2 (BA/S1)
- LM40: BA Sociology & Criminology & Crim Just with International Ex year 2 (BA/SCJIE)
- LM39: BA Sociology and Criminology & Criminal Justice year 2 (BA/SCR)
- 3L3Q: BA Sociology and English Literature year 2 (BA/SEL)
- L30F: BA Sociology [with Foundation Year] year 2 (BA/SF)
- LV31: BA Sociology/History year 2 (BA/SH)
- 8Y70: BA Sociology (with International Experience) year 2 (BA/SIE)
- LQ31: BA Sociology/Linguistics year 2 (BA/SL)
- LL34: BA Sociology and Social Policy year 2 (BA/SOCSP)
- L30P: BA Sociology with Placement Year year 2 (BA/SOP)
- LV41: BA Social Policy/History year 2 (BA/SPH)
- L3LK: BA Cymd gyda Phol Cymd year 2 (BA/SSPW)
- QV51: BA Cymraeg/History year 2 (BA/WH)
- LVH2: BA Welsh History/Sociology year 2 (BA/WHS)
- M1V5: LLB Law with Philosophy and Religion year 2 (LLB/LPR)
- V102: MArts History with International Experience year 2 (MARTS/HIE)
- V101: MArts History year 2 (MARTS/HIST)