Sociology of Religion (467)
Fall 2008
T Th 3:30 p.m.-5:18 p.m.
Classroom: Cockins Hall 312
Office: 145 Townshend Hall
Office hours: T Th 2:00-3:15 p.m.
and by appt.
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Instructor: Christine J. Thompson, Ph.D.
Office phone: 292-0563
Dept. Office phone: 292-6681
Mailbox: 244 Townshend Hall
*email: thompson.1110@osu.edu
*best way to contact
READER: Monahan, Susanne C., William A. Mirola, and Michael O. Emerson (eds.) 2001. Sociology of Religion: A
Reader. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. ISBN#: 0-13-025380-4. This book is required and will be used
in class exercises.
COURSE PACKET: Additional readings for course, available through Uni-print (formerly Cop-ez), 2055 Millikin
Way, Columbus, OH 43210; your packet can be ordered online (http://uniprint.osu.edu/), and then picked up at Uniprint. Ask for the packet by title of course (Soc 467). The packet is required and will be used in class exercises.
COURSE WEBSTE: www.carmen.osu.edu; check regularly for notes from instructor, class notes, assignment details
and additional assigned readings (required).
SUGGESTED TEXT: McGuire, Meredith B. 2002. Religion: The Social Context, 5th ed. Belmont, California:
Wadsworth This book is NOT required; it is on reserve in Sullivant Library.
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The major goal of this course is to help students develop a sociological perspective on religion and increase their ability
to apply this perspective to religion in today’s world. The information and exercises in this class will focus on how
religion influences society, and how society influences religion. Through various methods—lecture, small-group
discussions, student presentations, observation assignment and videos—students will become familiar with the
sociological aspects of religious phenomenon.
Sociology 467 meets the GEC Social Diversity in the United States requirement. Students who take this course will: 1)
understand the role of such characteristics as race, ethnicity, gender, class and religion in the institutions and cultures of
the United States; and, 2) recognize the role of social diversity in shaping their own attitudes and values.
These objectives are met through: 1) readings and small group discussions on how race/ethnicity, gender, social class
and religious affiliation impact religious experience; 2) an observational study and analysis of two different religious
services/activities; 3) videos depicting diverse religious beliefs and expression; and, 4) panel discussions in which a
variety of observational experiences are shared.
A fundamental premise of the course is respect for all religious expressions. Students will explore a variety of religious
beliefs—mainstream as well as alternative. Christianity is the predominant religion in the U.S.; therefore, a
proportionately larger share of class content will focus on Christianity. The readings, videos and assignments are
designed to help students recognize the role of social diversity in shaping attitudes, values and behavior with respect to
religion.
Students with Disabilities
Course material is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact an Adviser in
our Undergraduate Student Services office: 292-1175. Students with disabilities are
responsible for making their needs known, and seeking the available assistance in a timely
manner. Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office for Disability Services
will be appropriately accommodated, and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of
their needs. The Office for Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil
Avenue; telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901; http://www.ods.ohio-state.edu/
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
Assignment
Points/% of grade Due Date
Midterm exam
Observational Reports
(Due on Nov. 25 for 5 pts. extra credit;
accepted Dec. 4, 5 pt. deduction)
In-class Exercises (3 to 10 points each)
Final exam
60/20%
90/30%
Total:
60/20%
90/30%
Nov. 4
Dec. 2
unannounced
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m.
300 points
GRADING SCALE
Points
Grade
279-300
270-278
261-269
249-260
240-248
231-239
219-230
210-218
201-209
180-200
179 and below
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
E
Grades may be adjusted (upwards)
depending on overall performance
of class
Observational Reports
To provide students with direct experience in empirical investigations, each student will attend two services/meetings at
places of religious worship and write a report based on their observations. One of the observations will be of an
official (conventional) or non-official/alternative Christian religion; the other will be a non-Christian religion
(major, official religion or non-official/alternative religion/group). (Details will follow).
In-class Exercises
Students will complete between 6 and 10 in-class exercises (usually discussions, but may also include pop quizzes);
these will be distributed (unannounced) in class and completed (usually in small groups) the same day. Each exercise
will be worth between 3 and 10 points; in-class exercises comprise 20 percent of the final grade. In-class exercises
cannot be made up. (See extra credit section for ways to earn missed/extra points).
Exams
A midterm and final exam will be given (see course schedule for dates). The exams will be primarily objective—true,
false, multiple choice and matching questions; short answer questions may also be included. Three to four extra credit
points will be possible on each exam. Students are responsible for material from class discussions, text, reader,
website, handouts, videos (i.e., anything covered in class or readings). Articles posted on website are required
reading.
Extra Credit
1) Students have the opportunity to earn a maximum of 10 points extra credit through a short (4-8 minute)
presentation consisting of one of two possibilities: 1) a real-life event as reported in newspaper or other current
events publications; or, 2) an academic journal article summary. Topic of presentation should correspond to the
topic/theme of the lecture for that day; presentation dates will correspond to topics chosen. Students must let
instructor know by completing a “presentation summary form” (available on class website) at least one
class period before presentation; outline of presentation as well as a copy of the article must be given to
instructor at time of sign-up. Students may work together in a ‘team’ of two students with both students
presenting. No more than two student presentations will be given on any one day; no student presentations
will be scheduled the last week of class. Presentations will be evaluated based on article importance and
relevance as well as quality of presentation.
2) Several (3-4) points extra credit will be possible on each exam.
3) Five points extra credit will be given to observation papers turned in early (on or before Nov. 25. class time)
CLASS POLICIES
Please make every effort to come to class on time. It is disruptive to class when students come in late. If you must leave
class early on a given date, let me know at the beginning of class. Please do not eat in class. Turn off your cell phone
before you come to class. In our class discussions, we will respect those who have different opinions and/or
worldviews from our own.
You must turn in assignments directly to me during class, unless other arrangements have been made. In-class
assignments cannot be taken home to complete. In-class exercises cannot be made-up outside of class; you must
be present to complete these exercises! Exams cannot be made-up except in cases where there is a documented
university-approved absence AND the student contacts me before, or within 24 hours of the exam (by telephone
or email). Make-up exams will consist of some essay questions.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish
procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The
term "academic misconduct" includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever
committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in
connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic
misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the
Code of Student Conduct.
Unpaid Fees: Faculty rules specify that students are to have their fees paid by the first day of
enrollment for the quarter. [Faculty Rule 3335-9-12]. If you have not paid your fees, you will
not be allowed to continue attending class until:
1. your fees are paid, OR
2. you have a signed letter from Financial Aid stating that you are working with them to get
your fees paid.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Religion is one of the most powerful, deeply felt, and influential forces in human society.
- Meredith McGuire
Date
Topic
Readings*
Sept. 25
Introduction/overview
Sept. 30
The Sociological Perspective on Religion
Monahan, Mirola & Emerson
(M/M/E), pp. 1-29
Oct. 2
Overview of Major Religions
lecture/website
Oct. 7
Video: Muslims
Kimball, “Islam, A Religion of
Peace,” Course Packet
Oct. 9
Belief, Ritual & Experience
M/M/E, pp. 30-47; 55-69
Oct. 14
The Provision of Meaning & Belonging
McGuire, “The Provision…,”
Course Packet
Oct. 16
The Individual’s Religion
Thompson, editor;
“Conversion Experiences,”
Course Packet
Oct. 21
Official & Nonofficial (Alternative)
Religion
M/M/E, pp. 258-282;
290-303
Religion, Social Cohesion & Conflict
McGuire, “Religion, Social Cohesion
and Conflict,” Course Packet;
Kimball, “Is Religion the Problem,”
Course Packet
Oct. 28
Gender & Religion
M/M/E, pp. 115-143
Oct. 30
Sexuality & Religion
M/M/E, pp. 173-195
Nov. 4
Midterm Exam
Oct. 23
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*Readings (required) will include articles regularly posted on the website (Carmen.osu.edu), as
well as those from class reader and course packet and listed on syllabus.
Students are responsible for all material (all assigned reading, in-class lecture/discussion, videos
and student presentations).
Date
Assignment
Nov. 6
Race, Ethnicity & Religion
Nov. 11
Holiday: Veteran’s Day (No Class)
Nov. 13
Social Class & Religion
Nov. 18
Religion in the Modern World
& Secularization
Nov. 20
Media and Religion
Readings
M/M/E, pp. 79-114
M/M/E, pp. 144-165;
Roberts, “Religion in Sociological
Perspective,” and “The Religion
of the Poor: Escape of Creative
Force?” Course Packet
M/M/E, pp. 196-224;
Carter, “Separation of
Church and State,”
Course Packet
M/M/E, pp. 308-326
Video: Gospel
Nov. 25
The Impact of Religion on Social
Change
M/M/E/, pp. 399-426;
Johnson, et.al., “The ‘Invisible
Institution’ and Black Youth
Crime:…,” Course Packet
Nov. 25
Early Observation Reports Due (5 points extra credit)
NO STUDENT PRESENTATIONS AFTER NOV. 25_______________
Nov. 27
Holiday: Thanksgiving (No Class)
Dec. 2
Observational Reports (due date)
Video: Bonhoeffer
Dec. 4
Late Observational Reports Accepted (5 points deduction)
Dec. 4
Politics and Religion
Dec. 4
Panel Discussion
Wallis, “Is There a Politics of
God?,”Course Packet;
M/M/E, pp. 337-351
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 3:30-5:18, Final Exam (all material from Nov. 6 through Dec. 4)