Religion in Comparative Perspective
Module Code: SOC41060 (UCD)
- ECTS Credit : 10
- Mandatory/ Optional : Optional
- Module Coordinator : Dr Sarah Carol, School of Sociology, UCD
Module Description:
This course starts out with classic readings in sociology of religion and reviews the more recent evolutionary perspectives. From there, we will move on to the discussion of concepts such as secularization, religious cleavages, polarization and potential challenges for nation states but also for interreligious relationships. The focus lies on consequences of religious diversity for trust, cooperation and violence between different religious groups. The scope of these studies ranges from North America and Western Europe to Asia and the Middle East. The attempt of this seminar is to learn when religiosity serves as a bridge or a barrier for social cohesion.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
- Compare and contrast contemporary and classic concepts in the field of sociology of religion;
- Understand the empirical instruments in the field of sociology of religion;
- Analyse temporal and worldwide developments and critically reflect on the implications of comparative research in sociology of religion;
- Enhance their presentation skills and the ability to work in teams.
Lectures & Tutorials/ Contact hours:
- Module Length: 11 weeks (Hilary Term)
- Workload: Readings: 70hrs; Summative assessment (e.g. essays, journals): 130hrs. Total: 200 hours
Recommended Texts
Key Reading:
- Durkheim, E. (1915) ‘The elementary forms of religious life’, excerpts in James Farganis Readings in Social Theory, Boston: McGraw-Hill, pp. 73-81.
- Foner, N., & Alba, R. (2008) ‘Immigrant Religion in the U.S. and Western Europe: Bridge or Barrier to Inclusion?, International Migration Review 42(2): 360–392.
- Fox, J. (2006) ‘World Separation of Religion and State Into the 21st Century’, Comparative Political Studies 39(5): 537–569.
- Putnam, R.D. (2010) American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us, New York: Simon & Schuster.
- Röder, A. (2017) ‘Old and new religious minorities: Examining the changing religious profile of the Republic of Ireland’, Irish Journal of Sociology 25(3): 324-333.
Assessment
- 2,500 word end of term essay: 80%
- Short presentation: 20%