TEXAS A&M University - Central Texas
Sociology of RELIGION
Fall 2014
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Study and analysis of RELIGION in the United States; secondary reference to Sociological/Religious
THEORY in selected countries of the world. Prerequisites: six semester hours of sociology, incl SOC 1301.
COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor:
Class meeting time:
Office:
Office hours:
Phone:
Email address:
Dr. Alan Turley
Hrs M-W 930-1045am
217H
MW 11-12pm and 1-2; by arrangement
254-501-5873
a.turley@ct.tamus.edu best method!
GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
1. To gain knowledge regarding the many facets of religion in our society. MOD: Ch1-2 and
Quiz 1
2. To develop an understanding of many different theories that have developed regarding
religion MOD: Ch 3-4 Quiz 2
3. Be able to employee these perspectives to the ongoing debate about religion and society.
MOD: Ch -5-6 Quiz 3
4. To gain an awareness of how different social interest groups influence religion. MOD: CH
7-8 FINAL
Skills Outcomes:
1. Critical thinking: students must have “sociological insight” in order to see through official
explanations of social life, common sense conclusions, and conclusions based solely on personal
experience. Using the tools of the discipline, sociologists analyze social life while minimizing the
influence of personal emotions and political agendas.
2. Abstract thinking: sociology is a discipline of theory testing. Research techniques and statistics
help us describe social phenomena and allow us to evaluate theoretical statements.
3. Persistence: just because we live in a society does not mean we automatically know everything
about it. Hard study is required, and thinking is mandatory! Research methods help us see through
the veneer of official accounting of the world around us. Research is about persistent curiosity.
4. Flexibility: Students will learn the discovery of hidden social processes. It is imperative that we
become flexible in our thinking and willing to process what we already know. Students should be
active agents in their own learning.
1
5. Expansion of knowledge; this course aims to expand students’ breadth of knowledge of social
behavior, organization, and diversity within populations. Research techniques help us see how
social processes affect individual development and life chances.
Value Outcomes:
1. Students will value scientific inquiry.
2. Students will be able to discern false information from factual information.
3. Students will understand the appropriate method to utilize given the scientific question.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will:
1. Develop the reasoning and communication skills expected of a person holding
a Bachelor of Science degree.
2. Develop proficiency in the use of online research retrieval methods.
3. Understand the use of quantitative and qualitative methods.
4. Be able to apply these methods in real world circumstances.
Note: This is an UPPER level course. Be prepared to make the appropriate time commitment to study,
volunteering and writing that this course requires.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
1. Reading and lecture -- students take the initiative to collect and synthesize material
from lectures and readings. Content will be on-line so be prepared for this.
2. Classroom discussion -- through interaction with other students and the professor,
students are able to reflect on information gained from lectures, readings, and outside
experiences; listen and respond to differing opinions. That will occur in the Discussion
section of the course. Look there next to see what is expected of you!
3. Exams, written exercises, papers, quizzes; other assignments - if needed
UNILERT
Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas
UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas
the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email and text
message. By enrolling in UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related
information, regardless of your location. Please enroll today at http://TAMUCT.org/UNILERT
TEXTBOOKS & OTHER REQUIRED LEARNING MATERIALS
Kurtz, Lester. Gods in the Global Village 3rd ed
Monahan, S. et al. Sociology of Religion Reader. 2nd edition
Reserve readings. Throughout the course, I may also place articles on line which are not currently listed on the
syllabus.
2
COURSE MANAGEMENT
A. CLASS POLICIES
1) Course Help
It is important for students to be proactive throughout the course in terms of their
learning and success. Students who have concerns about how they are doing in the
course, do not understand something in the notes, or are unclear on an assignment
should initiate contact with the instructor since it is not always possible for the
instructor to know if a student is struggling.
2) Respect in the classroom
As behavioral sciences majors, students in this course are preparing to work with
people in a multitude of professional settings where they will confront diverse coworkers, clients, and customers. The same is true in this course where we will be
discussing many issues about which students will hold varied opinions. Just as in
professional environments, in the online classroom, all students should demonstrate
respect toward the instructor, and other students in classroom behaviors. Etiquette
and respect will be expected at all times: use Mr, Ms. or Dr. and choose your
words carefully recognizing that tone is not transmitted well thru email/internet.
3) Participation
Class participation is expected of all students, and an evaluation of the quality of your
participation will be part of the final course grade. To actively participate in
discussion, students need to post regularly. Participation not only includes
contributing to class discussions on a regular basis but the nature of that contribution.
From time to time, students will be assigned participation exercises to be completed
outside of class. These exercises will count toward students’ participation grade.
LOOK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW DISCUSSION TOPICS
Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for
the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility
of the student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form must be
returned, completed and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records office and
wait 24 hours, you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled.
Should you still be enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately? You are to
attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the
deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.
Academic Integrity Statement
Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of
personal and scholarly conduct. Students found responsible of academic dishonestly are subject
to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an
examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials.
3
Plagiarism entails using the words or ideas of another person without giving him or her credit
(e.g. not citing both the words or ideas of authors in papers); based on this understanding, it is
also plagiarism to copy an author’s exact words without putting them in quotation marks. The
faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonestly and
report the incident to the Director of Student Affairs. More information can be found
atwww.ct.tamus.edu/StudentConduct.
If you believe that this course may present barriers to learning due to a disability, please contact Disability
Support and Access at (254) 501-5831 in Warrior Hall, Ste. 212. For more information, please visit their website
at www.tamuct/disabilitysupport. Any information you provide is private and confidential and will be treated as
such. The instructor cannot accommodate your disability unless you communicate with Disabilty Support.
Tutoring
Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects tutored include
Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing (APA). Tutors are available at the Tutoring
Center in Founder's Hall, Room 204, and also in the Library in the North
Building. Visit www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport and click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules
and contact info. If you have questions or if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic
Support Programs at 254-519-5830 or by emailing gnichols@ct.tamus.edu.
Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform that enables TAMU-CT students to log-in and receive FREE
online tutoring and writing support. This tool provides tutoring in Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing,
Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish, Calculus, and Statistics. Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for any
subject on your computer. To access Tutor.com, click on www.tutor.com/tamuct.
Library Services
Library distance education services aims to make available quality assistance to A&MCentral Texas students seeking information sources remotely by providing digital reference, online
information literacy tutorials, and digital research materials. Much of the A&M-CT collection is
available instantly from home. This includes over half of the library's book collection, as well as
approximately 25,000 electronic journals and 200 online databases. Library Distance Education
Services are outlined and accessed at:
http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/library/deservices.php
Information literacy focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work in an
information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical
reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques.
Help may include, but is not limited to: the exploration of information resources such as library
collections, the identification of appropriate materials, and the execution of effective search
strategies. Library Resources are outlined and accessed at:
http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/library/index.php
B. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Readings
4
Students should read all assigned materials and be prepared to discuss them in class
for the dates listed on the syllabus. Not all of the assigned reading material will be
covered in class, but may be covered on the exams.
2) Exams
You will take 4 quizzes over material presented in the lectures and found in the
reading assignments. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice, matching,
fill in the blank, and short answer questions. The dates for each exam are listed
below. The final exam; it may be comprehensive but will place more emphasis on
material from the second half of the course.
Students will only be allowed to make up an exam if they have a legitimate absence
(illness, family emergency, school event) and let the instructor know before the exam
is given, or in an emergency situation, ASAP; in some cases, documentation of an
absence may be required before a make-up exam can be given.
3) Paper
The paper is worth 50% of your final grade. The grade on late papers will be lowered
by a letter grade for each day that it is late. This means each actual day, not each
class day. For example, if a paper is due Monday for class, then your grade will only be lowered by
a letter if you get to paper to me by Tuesday by the same time we would have class. Late papers will
not be penalized ONLY if you have a legitimate excuse and have contacted me about it in advance, or
in the case of an emergency, ASAP.
Dr. Turley’s class policies:
*On all assigments, papers, etc., if the printer failed to print, you are late - period. Plan
for this, just like the real world. If your presentation were due on a Monday at work, and
you didn’t have it… you would be fired. Do not turn in handwritten assignments; if you
do not have access to a computer in your home, plan ahead to make sure you can get to
the computer lab in time.
**I will not accept any work past the last scheduled class day for the semester, unless
you confront an emergency situation and have contacted me about that situation.
***If anyone is deemed to be abusive or derisive AT ALL by the instructor, that student
will be asked to leave the class or discussion assignment immediately. This is not open
to debate, and depending on the level of the incident, may be turned over to the Dean or
Campus Security. This is part of your student code of conduct and I take this VERY
seriously. By signing the syllabus agreement below, you are agreeing to participate by
these rules.
C.EVALUATION & GRADING PROCEDURES
I.
GRADE Requirements:
5
1. Quizzes (100 points):
4 Quizzes will be on the reading for the weeks prior quiz and will be on Friday, taken by midnight
Central Standard Time. Except for the final, see the syllabus for its due date
2. Participation (20 points)
These points are NOT automatic. Think Bonus Points. They are awarded when you contribute to the online class and in class scholarly discussion. Many will not have ANY of these points awarded
3. Attendance. (50 points)
4. Research Paper (100 points):
Students will write a descriptive research project that addresses one of the course topics in depth with a
strong demonstration of your grasp of the theory involved. Double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12pt font.
Use proper citation styles. Papers are due on the day specified in the syllabus. You can use Turnitin.com
to check against plagiarism in your paper.
5. Presentation in class. (50 points)
II. Grading Scale and Rubric
Grades will be determined by performance on online discussion projects, quizzes, a midterm exam, a final
exam, and the final research. Weighing of requirements for final grades are:
4 Quizzes
100 points
33%
Participation
20 points
Bonus%
Attend
50 pts
16%
Presentation
50 pts
16%
Research Paper
100 points
33%
Total
320 points
~100%
The following grade scale will give you some indication of the grade you will receive in this class:
90-100% = A (Excellent)
80-89% = B (Better than Average)
70-79% = C (Average)
60-69% = D (Below Average)
Below 60% is Failing
Incomplete Grades:
I do not give out INCOMPLETE GRADES. ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND TESTS ARE DUE ON THE
DATES OUTLINED IN THE SYLLABUS. It is the responsibility of the student to notify me if they
cannot make a test. If I do not hear from you prior to the class, I will not allow an excuse for the absence.
Posting of Grades:
All student grades should be posted on the Blackboard Grade book and students should monitor
their grading status through this tool.
Grades for Quizzes will be posted 3 days after the availability period has passed. Grades for Weekly
Assignments and Papers will be posted the Wednesday following the due date.
6
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT
Technology Requirements This course will use the new TAMU-CT Blackboard Learn learning
management system for class communications, content distribution, and assessments.
Logon to http://tamuct.blackboard.com to access the course.
Username: Your Tarleton email address (the complete email address, e.g. john.doe@go.tarleton.edu)
Initial password: Your DuckTrax ID (UID)
For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the
Internet. You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a
microphone to be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in the
course. If you do not have frequent and reliable access to a computer with Internet
connection, please consider dropping this course or contact me (see page 1) to
discuss your situation.
Blackboard supports the most common operating systems:
PC: Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000,
Mac: Mac OS 10.6 “Snow Leopard®”, Mac OS 10.5 “Leopard®”, Mac OS 10.4
“Tiger®”
Check browser and computer compatibility by following the “Browser Check” link on
the TAMU-CTBlackboard logon page. (http://tamuct.blackboard.com) This is a
CRITICAL step as these settings are important for when you take an exam or submit
an assignment.
Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn, you will see a link to Blackboard Student
Orientation under My Courses tab. Click on that link and study the materials in this
orientation course. The new Blackboard is a brand-new interface and you will have to
come up to speed with it really quickly. This orientation course will help you get
there. There is also a link to Blackboard Help from inside the course on the left-hand
menubar. The first week of the course includes activities and assignments that will
help you get up to speed with navigation, sending and receiving messages and
discussion posts, and submitting an assignment. Your ability to function within the
Blackboard system will facilitate your success in this course.
Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement – make sure your
computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines.
7.1 Technology Support
For technological or computer issues, students should contact the TAMU-CT Blackboard
Support Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Support Portal: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport
Online chat (through the support portal at: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport)
Phone: (855)-661-7965
For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.
7
2014 CALENDAR
M
Aug 25 Intro – Syllabus – Book – Believe it or not, Start thinking of paper topics NOW!
Lecture 1 and READING: Chpt 1 in KURTZ and Essays 1-6 in Monahan
W
Aug 27 SIGN AND RETURN THE LAST PAGE OF THIS SYLLABI. You will NOT be in
the course until you do this and email it to me. [READING: Chapter 1] Also read SOC 101 pwr pt, Paper
topic EXERCISE and Good v Bad Paper Pwr Pt and DISCUSSION Assignment
M
Sep 1 LABOR DAY READING: Chpt 2 in KURTZ and Essays 7-15 in Monahan
BOOKS MUST BE PURCHASED!
W
Sep 3 READING: Chpt 2 in KURTZ and Essays 7-15 in Monahan
M
Sep 8 READING: Chpt 2 in KURTZ and Essays 7-15 in Monahan
W
Sep 10 PAPER TOPIC EX DUE
F
Sep 12 QUIZ 1 taken by this date by midnight
M
Sep 15 Lecture 2
W
Sep 17
M
Sept 22
W
Sept 24 READING: Chapter 4 KURTZ and Essays 23-29 in Monahan
M
Sept 29
W
F
Oct 1
Oct 3 QUIZ 2 taken by this date by midnight
M
Oct 6 Lecture 3 READING Chpt 5 KURTZ and Essays 30-36 in Monahan
W
Oct 8
M
Oct 13
W
Oct 15 READING: Chapter 6 KURTZ and Essays 37-41 in Monahan
M
Oct 20
W
F
Oct 22
Oct 24 QUIZ 3 taken by this date by midnight
M
Oct 27
READING: Chapter 3 KURTZ and Essays 16-22 in Monahan
PRESENTATIONS
8
W
Oct 29
PRESENTATIONS
M
Nov 3
W
M
Nov 5
PRESENTATIONS
Nov 10 Lecture 4 READING: Chapter 7 KURTZ and Essays 42-45 in Monahan
W
Nov 12
M
Nov 17
W
Nov 19 Lecture 4
M
Nov 24
W
TH
Nov 26
Nov 27 THANKSGIVING!!
M
W
W
Dec 1 PAPER DUE
Dec 3 REVIEW for Final
Dec 10
FINAL ON LINE by midnight
PRESENTATIONS
READING: Chapter 8
9
Class Information Sheet
Name _________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________
Phone __________________ School id ______________________
Email _________________________________________________
Major _________________________________________________
Why are you taking this class? (Don’t say reqr’d even if true)
_________________________________________________
Some info on you –
Where did you grow up?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
How many people in your family?
___________*,9,_______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________
Your first job? ______________________________________________
Where did you m,go to High School?
_________________________________________________
Where have you lived line 1 or visited line 2?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Attend any other colleges? _________________________________________________
Careers interested in? ____________________________________________________________
Fill out the info. Copy it - INCLUDING the HONESTY statement below. Open an email msg to me.
Paste the info. Send me the email.
By signing this paper, I agree to the syllabus as a course contract and agree to abide by the course as
outlined within: _________________________________________________
date: ______________
10
Definitions, Violations and Consequences of Academic Honesty
Courses Offered by
Dr. Alan C. Turley
Department of Sociology
I have read Texas A&M Central Texas’ statement on Academic Honesty on page 16 of the TAMU-CT
Student Handbook (http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/student-affairs/pdfs/Texas_A&M_University_Central_Texas_STUDENT_HANDBOOK_.pdf). I have also read over the definitions and examples of
Plagiarism at “Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab” web-site
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/). I am aware that if I should violate Texas A&M’s
Academic Honesty policy in Dr. Turley’s course, he will 1) fail me for the assignment and/or the course,
and 2) initiate an Academic Dishonesty action against me. I know I have the right to appeal Dr. Turley’s
action against me with the Vice Provost. 3) I also agree to abide by Dr. Turley's Policies outlined in this
Syllabus.
Course: Sociology RELIGION
Term: fall 2014
Print Name
Student ID
Sign Name
Date
11

Title:
4
Presentation (25 points)
1. Proper Format (1 inch margins, double-spaced, at least 10
pages in length, paragraph in line, etc)
2. Free of Spelling Errors
3. Grammatically Correct
Content (30 points)
4. Information and evidence are accurate, appropriate, and
integrated effectively.
5. Claims and ideas are supported with citations from the article
and text.
Thinking (35 points)
6. Analysis/synthesis/evaluation/interpretation are effective and
consistent.
7. Independent thinking is evident.
8. Creativity/originality is evident.
Assignment Specific Criteria (10 point)
9. Responds to all aspects of the assignment.
Overall Evaluation
Excellent (90+)

Above Average
(80-89.9)
Grade _100.0 (A)_
Presentation
Content
Thinking
Assignment
Total


Average (7079.9)
25
30
35
10
100
Comments:
12
Competent
This rubric is designed to make clear the grading process
for written communication by informing you, the writer,
what key elements are expected by the university in a
“good” piece of written work.
Your written work will be evaluated by the criteria below in
order to give you specific feedback to help guide your
development as a writer. Your writing will not be graded
point by point by these items; it will be graded for its overall
quality.
Below Average
(60-69.9)
Not Acceptable
Date:
Excellent
Author:
Grading Rubric for the Final Paper
3.2
2.8
2.4
0
Term Paper Project
I. Expectations for the Paper
This is a research paper. I expect the paper to be between 10-12 pages in length with between 7 and 10
“peer-reviewed” journal article or book resources. Do not change any formatting of your wordprocessor to
get extra pages.
II. Paper Topics
Choose a topic which interests you and is worth spending your time on. It must be about some aspect of
popular culture and it must have a strong theoretical component to it.
III. Constructing the Paper
Once you have a topic and have begun to read the relevant literature, begin considering how you want to
construct the paper. Keep these points in mind:
1. What is your thesis?
2. How many points do you want to make?
3. In what order are you going to present these points?
4. Do your points follow a reasoned pattern?
5. Does your conclusion tie the paper together (from thesis to final point)?
IV. Body of the Paper
The paper should be comprised of the following components:
1. Introduction:
What is your research question? What is your hypothesis? (What did you expect to find) What is your
theoretical orientation? (How would a functional/conflict perspective best explain your expected outcomes
and research question?)
2. Literature Review:
This is where you introduce your points and begin to lay the groundwork for illustrating them in the
discussion section of your paper. What have previous authors said about this topic? What were their
hypotheses and how did their findings support or reshape their theory? Where are the major gaps in the
literature, and how does your paper fit into the discussion (novel idea, supportive of one perspective)?
3. Discussion:
Develop your points here. What did you find, without making any conclusions.
4. Conclusions:
Was your hypothesis correct? How did your findings support your hypothesis? How did your findings
support your theoretical perspective?
5. Bibliography, Notes
13
Grading Rubric for any Online Discussions
Date:
Author:
Date:
Excellent
This rubric is designed to make clear the grading process for written
communication by informing you, the writer, what key elements are
expected by the university in a “good” piece of written work.
Competent
Author:
Title:
Your written work will be evaluated by the criteria below in order to give
you specific feedback to help guide your development as a writer.
Your writing will not be graded point by point by these items; it will be
graded for its overall quality.
4
3.2
2.8
Presentation (2.0 points)
1. Proper Format (at least 125 words in length)
Content (3.5 points)
2. Information and evidence are accurate, appropriate, and
integrated effectively.
3. Claims and ideas are supported with citations from the article
and text.
Thinking (3.5 points)
4. Analysis/synthesis/evaluation/interpretation are effective and
consistent.
5. Responses are well documented and thoughtful
Assignment Specific Criteria (1 point)
6. Responds to all aspects of the assignment.
Overall Evaluation

Excellent (9+)
Grade _10.0 (A)_
Presentation
Content
Thinking
Assignment
Total

Above Average
(8.0-8.9)

Average (7.0-7.9)
2.5
3.0
3.5
1.0
10.0
Comments
Notes:
14

Not Acceptable
Title:
Below Average
(6.0-6.9)
2.4
0
Sociology of Religion
Student Contract
Please read this contract. Once you have read it and understand it, highlight this entire page AND the personal info
page prior to this page in your syllabus, press copy, then submit it as a completed assignment with your signature to
your instructor’s email.
As a student, I fully understand that:
1. To have a smooth and successful experience in this distance learning course, I understand the following to
be my responsibilities throughout the semester:

to read the syllabus closely and check it for updates

to keep up with assignments/exams which are due as posted in the course

to NOT turn in late assignments as these will not be accepted.

to realize due dates posted in Blackboard are final dates but I can submit assignments any time
prior to that date and time
2.

to communicate often and early with my classmates and course instructor

to receive and send email using only the MAIL link for this course

to read or be familiar with the student honesty policy and abide by it.
I have read the computer requirements for distance learning and understand my responsibilities with regard
to technology and distance learning to be:

to ensure that I have the necessary technology to take this course

to realize computers differ and Internet connections may be more reliable at some hours than
others.
3. If my personal computer performs poorly for the Introductory Exercise

to use another computer connected to the Internet with Internet Explorer 7.0, or

make arrangements with the Computer Lab (254) 519-5466 to submit my assignments on one of
their computers, or

use a computer in a computer lab on any one of Tx A&M University’s campuses
Signed,
(TYPE YOUR NAME IN HERE)
(TYPE YOUR STUDENT ID NUMBER HERE)
15