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Academic Year 2005/2006
The Sociology of Religious Movements
SOC 286 SP
Contrary to the expectations (and hopes) of some, religion persists and even thrives. 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 Departmetn Major.
COURSE FORMAT:
Lecture/Discussion
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level:
UGRD
Credit:
1
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS SOC
Grading Mode:
Graded
Prerequisites:
SOC151 OR SOC152
Links to Web Resources For This Course.
Last Updated on MAR-30-2006
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