STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Examine what sociology can tell us about religion.

 II.     Identify types of religious beliefs among humans, including the origins of religion.

 III.    Define terms related to religion in a sociological perspective.

 IV.     Analyze classical theories of religion.

 V.      Explore the reasons that religious practices vary so greatly.

 VI.     Understand the difference between churches, sects and cults.

 VII.    Articulate the way that religion interacts with politics.

 VIII.   Critique the resurgence of fundamentalism world wide.

 IX.     Differentiate the variables that promote secularization in some societies more than others.

 X       Discuss the role of religion in social control including behavior, thinking and beliefs.

 XI.     Evaluate the role of religion in the distribution of power and inequality in society.

 XII.    Analyze how race, class and gender are crucial variables in the consideration of religious practices.

 XIII.   Examine the role of religion in the development of mores, norms, folkways and values.

 XIV.    Explore the convergence of religion and ethics.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Religion and Sociology

         A.      Origins of religion

         B.      A brief history of religions in human society

         C.      Sociological theories of religion

         D.      The distribution of religions world wide

 II.     Review of some main religions in society today

         A.      Judaism

         B.      Christianity

         C.      Islam

         D.      Buddhism

         E.      Hinduism

 III.    The role of religion

         A.      The integrative function of religion

         B.      Religion and social change

         C.      Religion and social support

         D.      Religion and social control

                 1.      mores

                 2.      norms

                 3.      folkways

                 4.      values

         E.      Religion and ethics

 IV.     Religious behavior

         A.      Belief

         B.      Ritual

         C.      Experience

         D.      Socialization

         E.      Conversion

 V.      Religious organization

         A.      Ecclesiae

         B.      Denominations

         C.      Sects

         D.      New movements

         E.      Cults

 VI.     Religion and social conflict

         A.      Power and politics expressed by religious movements

         B.      Religion and social inequality

         C.      Religion and politics

                 1.      In the U.S.

                 2.      Worldwide

         D.      The resurgence of fundamentalism

         E.      Secularization and society

         F.      The influence of class, ethnicity and gender in religion.

         G.      Religion and economic life