RE 380/SY 380: Religion and Social Change
Wilfrid Laurier University
Mondays 7:00-9:50 pm
Rm. 1C17
Instructor:
Ryan Weston
519-884-0710, ext. 4610 (voicemail only)
rweston@wlu.ca
Office hours: Mondays 4:00-6:00 p.m., Woods Rm. 2-127 or by appointment
Course Texts (Required):
 Course Package of selected readings, available in the bookstore (CP)
 Selected readings available on the course website (WEB)
 Suzanne Staggenborg. Social Movements, 2008, Oxford University Press, available in
the bookstore
Calendar Description:
“A study of the relationship between religion and movements of social change, using theories
drawn from sociology of religion and cultural studies. The course will draw upon cross-cultural
examples in its consideration of the development of critical theologies in socio-historical contexts,
the role of religion in political processes and the links between religion and different movements
for self-determination.”
Detailed Description:
This course examines the relationship between religion and processes of social change as a twoway street. Drawing primarily on contemporary movements from across religious traditions and
areas of the world, we will explore ways in which religion has served as an agent of social
change, as well as the ways in which religious communities respond to social change in the wider
society. These interactions will be examined in light of contemporary society’s sometimes uneasy
relationship with religion and spirituality. Approaches and theories from sociology, anthropology,
and cultural studies will allow us to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the topic.
Course Evaluation:
Critical Film Review 15%
Midterm Exam
20%
Research Essay
35%
Take-home Exam 30%
Critical Film Review
15%
Choose a film from the list to be provided in class which explores issues of religion and social
change and write a critical review of approximately 4 -5 pages. Give a concise, one paragraph
summary of the film and relevant production information, followed by a critical analysis of the
religious issues the film addresses. The following questions may help guide your analysis: How
does the filmmaker treat the religious component of the story? How is intra-religious or interreligious conflict addressed in the film? What elements particular to the medium of film impact
the depiction of religion? Does the film or filmmaker take a religious or theological position?
Which readings from the course can you relate to the film you have chosen? Remember that
these questions are guidelines and jumping off points. You do not need to answer each
question. Instead, work on developing detailed answers to two or three of these questions. Be
sure to include specific examples from the film. Due: February 7
Midterm Exam
20%
The midterm will be comprised of short answer and essay questions covering all course material
preceding the test. Date: February 14
Research Essay
35%
Choose a topic related to some aspect of religion and social change that interests you and write a
10-12 page essay. All topics must be cleared with the instructor before undertaking research.
You may explore an area discussed in class, however please note that you must use additional
material beyond assigned course readings. Possible topics and further instructions will be
distributed following the midterm exam. Due: March 21
Take-Home Final Exam
30%
The final will consist of essay questions which draw on material from the entire course. You will
be expected to make connections between materials from different topics, and to think broadly
about the overall themes of the course. Distributed in class on April 4, due: April 13
Note on the Submission of Assignments: All assignments are strictly due in hard copy at the
beginning of class on the date assigned. Late assignments will be penalized at the rate of 5% per
day. Students requiring an extension for legitimate health or personal reasons must contact the
instructor directly, in advance of the due date, to make arrangements. All students are required
to keep an electronic copy of their assignment.
Additional Information
Student Awareness of the Accessible Learning Centre:
Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier's Accessible Learning
Office for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review
the Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus.
For night classes:
"After class call 886-FOOT for a walk or drive home - No Walk is Too Short or Too Long!!!" The
instructor will gladly wait with student until Foot Patrol personnel have arrived.
Academic and Research Misconduct:
Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. Students may be required
to submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.
Students are expected to be aware of and abide by University regulations and policies, as
outlined in the current on-line Calendar (see http://www.wlu.ca/calendars).
The University has an established policy with respect to cheating on assignments and
examinations, which the student is required to know. Students are cautioned that in addition to a
failure in the course, a student may be suspended or expelled from the University for cheating
and the offence may appear on one’s transcript, in which event the offence can have serious
consequences for one’s business or professional career. For more information refer to the current
Undergraduate calendar (University Undergraduate Regulations).
Students are to adhere to the Principles in the Use of Information Technology. These Principles
and resulting actions for breaches are stated in the current Undergraduate Calendar.
Examination and/or Deferrals:
Students must reserve the examination period of April 7-28. If you are considering registering for
a special examination or event, you should select a time outside the examination period. Consult
with the Undergraduate Calendar for special circumstances for examination deferment.
Please note:
Students’ names may be divulged in the classroom, both orally and in written form, to other
members of the class. Students who are concerned about such disclosures should contact the
course instructor to identify whether there are any possible alternatives to such disclosures.
The up-to-date and official version of the Calendar can be found at www.wlu.ca/calendars
Lecture and Reading Schedule
Part I: Conceptualizing Religion and Social Change
January 10: Introduction to the
course

Staggenborg, “Introduction”
January 17: Understanding
social change and social justice

Staggenborg, “Theories of Social Movements and Collective
Action”
Peter Berger, “Religion and Global Civil Society” (CP)
Michael Novak, “Defining Social Justice” (WEB)
Staggenborg, “Issues in the Study of Social Movements and
Collective Action”
Israela Silberman et al., “Religion and World Change:
Violence and Terrorism vs. Peace” (WEB)
Fred Kniss and Gene Burns, “Religious Movements” (CP)
Peter Berger, “The Process of Secularization” (CP)
Peter Berger, “Secularization Falsified” (WEB)
Charles Lemert, “The Might Have Been and Could Be of
Religion and Social Theory” (WEB)
January 24: Interpretation in
Religion and Social Change




January 31: Secularization and
social change




Part II: Religion and the Politics of Liberation
February 7: Gandhi, Satyagraha,
and non-violence


Excerpts from Mohandas K. Gandhi, An Autobiography or
the Story of my Experiments with Truth (CP)
Nathaniel Murrell, “Mohandas K. Gandhi: The Making of
an Anti-Colonial Satyagraha Prophet” (CP)
Film: Gandhi
February 14: Liberation Theology
and Religious Revolution
Critical Film Review Due
 Paul E. Sigmund, “Christianity and Violence: The Case of
Liberation Theology” (WEB)
 Sharon Erickson Nepstad, “Popular Religion, Protest and
Revolt: The Emergence of Political Insurgency in the
Nicaraguan and Salvadoran Churches of the 1960s-80s”
Midterm Exam
February 21: Reading Week
No Classes
February 28: Religion and
Aboriginal Self-determination



Staggenborg, “Aboriginal Protest”
Leonard Peltier, excerpts from Prison Writings: My Life is
My Sundance (CP)
Yale D. Belanger, “Ways of Knowing” and “The Land and
Indigenous Political Economy” (CP)
Film: Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance
Blockade: Who Owns the Land
Part III: Religion, Identity, and Civil Rights
March 7: Religion and The Civil
Rights Movement
March 14: Religion and the Civil
Rights Movement continued
March 21: Religious Feminism
March 28: Queer Faith: Religion
and Queer Rights
April 4: Conclusion and Review



Staggenborg, “The Protest Cycle of the 1960s”
Martin Luther King Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
David L. Chappell, “Prophetic Christian Realism and the
1960s Generation” (CP)
Film: Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin
 Malcolm X, “God’s Judgement of White America” (WEB)
 Edward E. Curtis, “Why Malcolm X Never Developed an
Islamic Approach To Civil Rights” (WEB)
 Jon Michael Spencer, “We Shall Overcome: Freedom
Songs of the Civil Rights Movement” (CP)
Films: The Songs Are Free
Malcolm X
Get on the Bus
 Staggenborg, “Maintenance and Growth of the Women’s
Movement”
 Chris Klassen, “Feminist Witchcraft and Ritualized
Speculation”
 Tova Hartman, “Roles, Rules and Responsa: The Backlash
Against Feminism”
Film: Half The Kingdom
Me and the Mosque
Research Essay Due
 Staggenborg, “Strategies and Outcomes in Gay and Lesbian
Movements”
 Jay Michaelson, “Ten Reasons Why Gay Rights Is a
Religious Issue” (WEB)
 Jeffrey P. Dennis, “Lying with Man as with Woman:
Rethinking the Impact of Religious Discourse on Gay
Community Strength” (CP)
Film: Trembling Before G-d
Take-home exam distributed