Sociology 360: Religion and Society
Instructor: Michael Abel
Office: Ricks 132F
Phone: 496-4156
E-mail: abelm@byui.edu
Office Hours: MWF 9:00-10:00 am, or by appointment
Course Website: See I-Learn
______________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
Everyone lives in a society that influences them in ways that they do not always realize.
Everything from language and the economy to our families and religion can impact our sense of
individuality, our beliefs and behaviors, and even our opportunities for success. These shaping forces
result in general patterns of behavior that can be observed and analyzed. Sociologists are interested in
identifying and understanding these types of patterns in society. Indeed, the primary goal of sociology is
to comprehend human society by studying it in a systematic way.
When sociology first began to emerge as a discipline, almost all of its “founding fathers” had at least
one thing in common—they studied or discussed religion in depth. However, after their deaths, questions
of religion seem to have faded from the view of sociology for almost a century. One reason this may have
occurred relates to the conclusions these first sociologists came to in their studies. Most believed religion
would fade away or become a much less powerful force in the world. Once sociologists were convinced
that religion was doomed to disappear most did not see any point to studying it.
More recently, new research has begun to emerge that contradicts many established notions about
how religion works and why people are religious. This reignited the debate about religion and religious
decline. Contemporary events such as 9/11, terrorism, gay marriage and abortion-rights are also helping
to drive the reemerging sociology of religion field.
In this class we will read and discuss different sociological perspectives related to the sociology of
religion. We will look at why people believe and what impact religion has on individual and social life.
Specifically, we will examine the role of ritual and emotion, and analyze issues related to leadership,
conversion, commitment, religious violence and the fate of religion in the world—all from a sociological
perspective. Of course, the success of this class depends on our collective efforts. As we learn together
please keep in mind the following course objectives and how effectively we are achieving them. These
objectives include:
1. Enhancing our understanding of what religion is and how it influences society
2. Helping you become familiar with the major theories used in sociology of religion
3. Exposing you to current empirical and social issues in the sociology of religion
4. Further developing your social science research and writing skills
5. Applying what we learn to our own questions of interest
REQUIRED READINGS
You will be required to read the following book. It is available in the bookstore.
Required Text: Acts of Faith by Rodney Stark and Roger Finke, University of California Press
All of the other required reading for this course can be downloaded from I-Learn. If you have any
problems downloading or opening the texts, please let me know ASAP.
1
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Prepare
Preparation Reports: Effective preparation is crucial to your learning in this class. Each day there is
reading assigned in the Course Outline you are required to complete a Preparation Report (PR) on I-Learn
BEFORE you come to class. In this report you will evaluate the extent of your preparation for that day by
indicating whether or not you did the following:
1. In addition to reading and studying assigned texts, I looked up, read, and studied other materials
that solidified my understanding of the principles and processes presented.
2. I took useful and detailed notes on everything I read and cited the sources I used next to the
related notes (using ASA format).
3. Applying and citing (using ASA format) ideas from my reading and research, I wrote down
several detailed and specific answers to the question on the syllabus.
You are required to bring all of your preparation to class and from time to time I will have you turn in
those materials. If your self-reported scores are inconsistent with your actual preparation, I will let you
know and will change your PR score accordingly. Each Preparation Report is worth 3 points. Failure to
submit a preparation report prior to class time will result in a 0 for that day.
Teach One Another
Participation: If you properly prepare, you will come to class with a good understanding of the principles
we are learning. Consequently, class time can be focused on addressing specific areas of confusion and
further developing our understanding of how and why religion works. During class we will most often be
engaged in discussions and activities that require you to contemplate and further apply the information
you are studying. Each participation activity will be worth 5 points and several of them will be graded.
Part of the grade will be based on how effectively you apply your preparation materials, so make sure you
always bring your preparation to class.
Religion in the News: Principles of sociology become clearer when we can see how they relate to current
events. During the semester each of you is required to find newspaper articles or watch news clips related
to religion. You should seek out news from LEGITIMATE local, national and international news sources.
I will pass around a sign-up sheet where you will select the day you want to present your article. On that
day you will be expected to lead the class in a 5-10 minute discussion based on your article. You will be
graded on the quality of the discussion you lead. This assignment is worth 5 points.
Ponder and Prove
Religion Case Study: Applying the directions given on the Religion Case Study Guidelines sheet, each of
you will be expected to do a thorough analysis of one religious group of your choice. Essentially, you are
expected to become an expert on that group. Throughout the semester you should present the insights you
have about that religion as we discuss various issues. The paper will be due on Tuesday, June 15th and
should be no longer than FIVE, double-spaced pages. Failure to turn in this assignment will result in a
failing grade for the course. This assignment will be worth 50 points.
2
Create Your Own Religion: As part of a group, you will be expected to demonstrate what you have
learned throughout the course by creating a unique religion and presenting it to the class. Using course
materials, Acts of Faith, your creative minds, and other relevant resources you should create a religion
that has characteristics that you have learned result in a successful religion. As explained in the Create
Your Own Religion Project Guidelines, each group will be expected to write a 10-page paper describing
the key aspects of their religion in detail and how each element serves to strengthen it. The paper is due
on Tuesday, July 13th. This paper along with your presentation will be worth 25 points. Failure to
participate in this project will result in a failing grade for the course.
Group Grade: Each person in the class will be given the opportunity to evaluate the contributions of their
fellow group members. Since I cannot know how much you participated in the group project, it seems
only fair that those who do know have the power to determine your grade. Each member of your group
will grade your contribution to the project on a scale of 0 to 5. The proportion of points out of 5 you are
given by your group members is the same proportion of the final project grade you will earn. This should
motivate you to be a good group member. Of course, I would hope you would work hard for your group
simply because it’s the right thing to do.
GENERAL POLICIES
Decorum and Etiquette: Sociology addresses many complex issues about which people have widely
varying insights. Views about religion can be especially strong. In my experience, people are rarely trying
to offend others, even if they do sometimes. Because it is so important to hear all sides of an issue, we
should always respect what others have to say and also be willing to share our own thoughts. Never
assume that others in the class believe the same way you do. I expect each member of the class to try to
understand the perspectives of others. Do not hesitate to simply think before you speak. Unless I say
otherwise, NO LAPTOPS OR CELLPHONES should be on or in use during class time.
Late Work and Make-ups: As a general rule, I believe it is unfair to students for me to accept late work.
You all have a syllabus and know the due dates and format of the class. You must arrange your own
schedules in a way that allows you to be in class every day and complete assignments on time. If you
cannot do this, you should reconsider taking the course. Late Case Studies and Projects will be penalized
20% per day. If you fail to complete a Preparation Report, you receive a 0 on it.
Students with disabilities: I will gladly provide accommodations for students with disabilities as
recommended by the Disability Service Center. If you have any disability that may impair your ability to
complete this course successfully, please contact the Disability Service Center (McKay 158, 496-1158).
All services are coordinated with the student and the instructor by this office. They will provide you with
important information about accommodations that may be available to you for this class.
Cheating and Plagiarism: While all students, especially those at BYU-Idaho, know it is wrong to cheat
and plagiarize, it still happens. There are specific skills students need to master in order to correctly cite
sources, especially in this age of the internet. In addition to this, it can sometimes be difficult for students
to deal with the stress and strain of college life without participating in unethical and immoral practices.
Please let me or someone else know if you are feeling this kind of pressure so we can try to help. Each of
you must read the Honor Code policies related to academic honesty, including how the university defines
and punishes this kind of academic misconduct:
http://www.byui.edu/studenthonor/academic%20honest.htm. Also, please review the examples of
academic misconduct noted under the section “What is academic misconduct?” at the following website:
http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm#misconduct.
3
GRADING
Your grade will be calculated by adding up all of your points and converting them into a
percentage. The percentage will be rounded to the nearest whole number and can be interpreted
as follows:
(%)
Grade
Meaning
93-100
90-92
87-89
83-86
80-82
77-79
73-76
70-73
60-69
Lower than 60
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Outstanding Understanding
Considerable/Significant Understanding
Sufficient Understanding
Poor Performance and Initiative
Failure in the Course
COURSE OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS
Day
Tues
Date
04/20
Required Reading
Syllabus and Cheating and Plagiarism Links
Thurs
04/22
*Johnson 2006, “A Free-for-all on Science and Religion”
*Cannon 2002, “Latter-day Saints and Science”
PR#1
Due
Tues
PR#2
Due
Thurs
PR#3
Due
Tues
PR#4
Due
Thurs
PR#5
Due
Tues
PR#6
Due
Thurs
PR#7
Due
What should be the relationship between science and religion?
04/27
You Find Your Own Assortment of Readings—Defining Religion
04/29
What makes something “religion”?
*Miner 1956, “Body Ritual among the Nacirema”
Why does religion seem irrational and crazy to many people?
05/04
05/06
*Marx and Engels 1846, Excerpts on ideology and morality
Alma 32
How do Marx and Engels compare to and contrast with Alma 32?
*Berger 1967, “Religion and World-Construction”
Why do people believe and how is the content of their belief determined?
05/11
*Durkheim 1912, “Social Rituals and Sacred Objects”
Why are different things sacred to different people?
05/13
You Find Your Own Assortment of Readings—Defining Ritual
What makes something “ritual”?
4
Tues
PR#8
Due
Thurs
PR#9
Due
Tues
Thurs
05/18
*Cladis’ 2001, Introduction to Durkheim (pg. vii-ix, xvi-xxiv)
How do ritual and emotion interact in the context of religion?
05/20
*Weber 1914, “Legitimacy and the Types of Authority”
05/25
How do charisma and charismatic groups work?
No Reading—Discussions of Religion Case Studies
05/27
PR#10
Due
Tues
06/01
PR#11
Due
Thurs 06/03
PR#12
Due
Tues
06/08
Thurs 06/10
PR#13
Due
Tues
06/15
Thurs 06/17
PR#14
Due
Tues
06/22
PR#15
Due
Thurs 06/24
PR#16
Due
Bring Draft of First 5 Sections of Religion Case Study
Stark and Finke 2000, Chapter 4, “The Micro Foundations of Religion”
*Oaks 1984, “Why Do We Serve”
What makes people committed to religion?
*Weber 1905, Excerpts from The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism
How and why does religion impact other societal institutions?
Stark and Finke 2000, Chapter 5, “Conversion and Reaffiliation”
Mosiah 27
Why do people switch religions? Why do they stay in a religion?
No Reading—Discussions of Religion Case Studies
Bring Complete Draft of Religion Case Study
*Iannaccone 2006, “Market for Martyrs”
Why is there religious violence? What about religion can lead to violence?
No Reading—Discuss Create Your Own Religion Project
Turn in Religion Case Study Paper
*Berger 1967, “Secularization and the Problem of Plausibility”
What is secularization and what causes it?
Stark and Finke 2000, Chapter 3, “Secularization R.I.P.”
Is secularization happening? Why or why not?
*Feldman 2005, “A Church-State Solution”
D&C 134
Mosiah 29
Tues
06/29
What should be the relationship between churches and states?
No Reading—The Future of Religion
Thurs
07/01
What would the world be like without religion?
No Reading—Work on create your own religion project in class
Tues
07/06
No Reading—Work on create your own religion project in class
5
Thurs
07/08
No Reading—Work on create your own religion project in class
Tues
07/13
Group Presentations
Thurs
07/15
Group Presentations
Tues
07/20
Group Presentations
Turn in Create Your Own Religion Paper
*Can be found on I-Learn
6