| | Searching Current Courses For Fall 2016 |
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Course: |
SOC 240
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Title: | US Cults Extremist & Rel Mvmts |
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Long Title: | U.S. Cults, Extremist Groups and Religious Movements |
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Course Description: | Provides a critical examination of cults, extremist groups and new religious movements including the sociological theory and dynamics of cults, gangs and hate groups. This course provides sociological perspectives for interpreting American laws, norms and values while examining extremist groups in the U.S. This includes the study of in-group behavior, social cohesion, emergence of generalized beliefs, and both normative and value-oriented movements.
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Min Credit: | 3 |
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Max Credit: | |
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Origin Notes: | FRCC |
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Course Notes: | New course entered 6/1/12 LK |
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Status Notes: | revised-dscrptn,outln 3/5/13 |
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STANDARD COMPETENCIES:
1. Define sociological theories which explain cults, extremist groups and new religious movements.
2. Demonstrate how theories explain and interpret collective behavior.
3. Analyze the relationships of leaders and followers in extremist groups.
4. Demonstrate knowlegde of how myths about extremist groups and cults emerge and persist.
5. Distinguish between legal and social pressures on cults and extremist groups.
6. Appraise and propose socially appropriate methods to manage cults and extremist groups.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
I. Understanding cults and extremist groups in the U.S.
a. American traditions
b. Sociological theories: structural/functional and conflict theory
c. Symbolic Interaction theory
i. Meade
ii. Cooley
iii. Goffman
II. Collective behavior.
a. Social contagion theory
b. Emergent norm perspective
c. Value-added theory
d. The creation of generalized beliefs
III. Non-formal collective behavior.
a. The assembly process
b. Sociocybernetic theory
c. Individualistic approaches to collective behavior
d. Performative violence theory
e. Structural-strain theory
IV. General categories of collective behavior in extremist groups.
a. Crowds and masses
b. Gangs
c. Riots
d. Crazes
e. Religious splinter groups
f. Extremist political groups
g. Terrorist groups
h. Cults
i. Pyramid organizations
j. Hate groups
V. Images, Miracles and Apparitions.
a. Evaluate the functions of religion
b. Social means of images, miracles and apparitions
c. The use of rituals
VI. Rumors, urban myths and legends.
a. Millennialism
b. End of World
c. Social Darwinism as a vehicle for hate
VII. Legal issues and social control.
a. The charismatic leader
b. The use of the internet
c. Populations vulnerable to extremist movements
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Front Range Community College |
FRCC |
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