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CRS352Arts2 Unitsintermediate

Sociology Of Religion

This course introduces students to the sociological study of religion, exploring its pervasive influence on society. It examines the meanings of sociology and sociology of religion, religious beliefs, and the elements of religion. The course also covers the relationship between religion and society, the role of religious institutions, and the impact of religion on culture, social change, politics, and conflict, particularly within the Nigerian context.

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195h
Study Time
13
Weeks
15h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
Sociology of ReligionReligious BeliefsReligion and SocietyReligion in NigeriaSocial Change

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Sociology of Religion

2

Religious Beliefs

3

Religion and Society

4

Religion and Culture

5

Religion and Social Change

6

Religion and Politics

7

Religious Conflict

8

African Religion

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (2 methods)

Tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Social Worker

Apply your skills in this growing field

Religious Leader

Apply your skills in this growing field

Community Developer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

Social ServicesReligious OrganizationsGovernmentResearch InstitutionsNon-profit Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 1: Meaning of sociology and sociology of Religion.

2 study hours
  • •Define sociology and sociology of religion.
  • •Discuss Auguste Comte's three stages of societal growth.
  • •Explain the views of Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Talcott Parsons on society.
Week
2

Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 2: Concepts of Religion and society.

2 study hours
  • •Define religion, focusing on the supernatural and sacred.
  • •Explain the concept of society, including land, population, politics, work, and history.
  • •Differentiate between tribal, agrarian, industrial, and post-industrial societies.
Week
3

Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 3: The Nature of Religious beliefs

2 study hours
  • •Describe the nature of religious beliefs and their role in providing direction and guidance.
  • •Discuss the origin of religion in satisfying man's intellectual nature.
  • •Explain the significance of sacred objects in religious practices.
Week
4

Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 4: Elements of Religion.

2 study hours
  • •Identify the four structural elements of religion: belief, ritual, emotions, and organizations.
  • •Explain how each element contributes to sustaining religion in society.
  • •Analyze the role of trained officials and rules in religious organizations.
Week
5

Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 5: Theories of Religion and society.

2 study hours
  • •List the basic assumptions of structural functionalism theory and relate them to religion.
  • •Discuss Marxist theory of religion and its critique of capitalism.
  • •Explain the symbolic interactionism theory and its focus on symbols and meanings in religion.
Week
6

Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 1: The Relationship between Religion and society

2 study hours
  • •Describe the relationship between religion and society, emphasizing their mutual dependence.
  • •Identify the influence of religion on society in terms of morality, meaning, and support.
  • •Discuss how society conditions the beliefs and practices of religion.
Week
7

Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 2: Major institutions of society as agencies of Religion

2 study hours
  • •Explain the family as an agency of religion, focusing on socialization and values.
  • •Describe the educational institution as an agency of religion, including curriculum and integration.
  • •Differentiate between nuclear, extended, monogamous, polygamous, and ghost families.
Week
8

Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 3: Religion and Culture

2 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of culture and its various aspects, including knowledge, morals, and customs.
  • •Discuss the relationship between religion and culture, emphasizing cultural determination.
  • •Analyze the impact of Western Christian ethical standards on African indigenous heritage.
Week
9

Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 4: Religion and social change

2 study hours
  • •Explain the concept of social change and its sources, including invention, discovery, and conflict.
  • •Identify ways that religion can bring about change in society.
  • •Discuss Max Weber's Protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
Week
10

Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

2h

Unit 5: Belief systems in Africa

2 study hours
  • •Discuss ancestor worship as a belief system in Africa, including its rituals and requirements.
  • •Describe the practice and operations of witchcraft, focusing on supernatural powers and harm.
  • •Explain the concept of magic as a religious belief, including its control of events and symbolism.
Week
11

Module 3: The Role of Religion in the Society

4h

Unit 1: The importance of Religion to society

2 study hours
  • •Explain the importance of religion to society, including group integration, meaning, and support.
  • •Describe the role of religion in maintaining order and stability in society.
  • •Discuss the Marxist perspective on religion as a tool of social control.

Unit 2: The importance of society to Religion

2 study hours
  • •Explain the importance of society to religion, including values, members, and support.
  • •Highlight the role society plays in sustaining the institution of religion.
  • •Discuss how society legitimizes religious practices and provides benchmarks.
Week
12

Module 3: The Role of Religion in the Society

2h

Unit 3: Religion and conflict in Nigeria

2 study hours
  • •Explain the place of religion in conflicts in Nigeria, focusing on ethnic, linguistic, and religious pluralism.
  • •Identify the causes of religious conflict, including cultural integration, intolerance, and urban poverty.
  • •State the effects of religious conflict, such as loss of lives, economic decline, and social disunity.
Week
13

Module 3: The Role of Religion in the Society

2h

Unit 4: The role of Religion in politics

2 study hours
  • •Explain the role of religion in politics, including pre-independence political associations and consciousness.
  • •Discuss the nature of involvement of religion in politics in Nigeria.
  • •Analyze the positive and negative roles of religion in politics.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Review all unit learning outcomes to ensure comprehensive understanding.

2

Create concept maps linking key theories and concepts from Modules 1 and 2.

3

Focus on the specific examples of religious conflicts in Nigeria from Unit 3.

4

Practice essay questions on the role of religion in politics, drawing from Unit 4.

5

Allocate study time proportionally based on the weight of each module in the overall assessment.

6

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and incorporate feedback into your study notes.

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