SOC286 - The Sociology of Religious Movements

[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2003/2004

The Sociology of Religious Movements
SOC 286 SP

Crosslistings:
RELI 281

Clusters:

Christian Studies

Contrary to the expectations (and hopes) of some, religion persists and even thrives. Indeed, as some institutional forms and denominations do become hollow and inert, new religious movements arise. How does sociology account for the death and resurrection of religious fervor in the age of global capitalism? What accounts for the rise of contemporary fundamentalist movements around the globe? In this age of cults, charisma, and eschatological ecstasy, what can be said of the traditional relationship between religion, social transformation, and movements of political liberation? How do contemporary religious movements confront the challenges posed by feminism and queer theory? How does religion intersect with racial and caste hierarchies? Drawing on cases from various religious traditions and movements, this course will use the tools of sociological analysis to investigate the soul and form of contemporary religious life.

MAJOR READINGS

Thomas Robbins, CULTS, CONVERTS, AND CHARISMA: THE SOCIOLOGY OF NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS Martin Marty & Scott Appleby, THE GLORY AND THE POWER: THE FUNDAMENTALIST CHALLENGE TO THE MODERN WORLD Anson Shupe & Jeffrey Hadden, THE POLITICS OF RELIGION AND SOCIAL CHANGE Robert Wuthnow, MEANING AND MORAL ORDER: EXPLORATIONS IN CULTURAL ANALYSIS Ursula King, RELIGION AND GENDER Gary Comstock & Susan Henking, QUE(E)RYING RELIGION: A CRITICAL ANTHOLOGY Timothy Fulop and Albert Raboteau, AFRICAN-AMERICAN RELIGION: INTERPRETIVE ESSAYS IN HISTORY AND CULTURE Thomas Robbins and Dick Anthony, IN GODS WE TRUST: NEW PATTERNS OF RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IN AMERICA N.J. Demerath, Peter Hall, Terry Schmitt, Rhys Williams, SACRED COMPANIES: ORGANIZA TIONAL ASPECTS OF RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS ASPECTS OF ORGANIZATIONS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Reading journal, in-class deliberative presentations, three take-home essays (8-10 pages each), or a major research paper (25-30 pages).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This course fulfills a Religion in Society requirement for the Religion Department Major.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS SOC Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: SOC151 OR SOC152

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Cutler,Jonathan C

Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: FISK414

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 25)

SR. major: 8 Jr. major: 7

SR. non-major: 5 Jr. non-major: 5 SO: 0 FR: 0

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004