Sociology of Religion

Overview

Key facts:

• Will include a general theory of the nature of religious experience, religious symbolism, and the basis of religious community.
• Religion is an enormously important and, to many observers, a surprisingly persistent component of contemporary life. Focusing primarily, although not exclusively, on the United States, this course introduces students to the sociological study of religion and provides them with the theoretical tools necessary for thoughtfully analyzing the place of religion in the modern world.
• Among the topics the Sociology of Religion course at the University of California, Berkeley will address are: the ways in which religion provides many with a sense of personal meaning; the social construction of religious conversion and commitment; the types and dynamics of religious groups (churches, sects, cults, etc.); the increasing significance of both the “spiritual but not religious” and the nonreligious; the various connections between religion and popular culture; the intersection of religiosity and other dimensions of personal identity; and the impact of religion on social cohesion, conflict and change. 

• There are no prerequisites for this course. Course requirements are: class participation; three brief (2-3-page) critical analysis papers, and an in-class final exam.