Sociology Of Religion

1. Define sociology and sociology of religion.
2. Explain the relationship between religion and society.
3. Discuss the role of religion in politics and development.
4. Analyze the place of religion in violence in Nigeria.
5. Understand the major institutions of society as agencies of religion.
6. Describe the nature of religious beliefs.

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 1: Meaning of sociology and sociology of Religion. · 2 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 2: Concepts of Religion and society. · 2 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..

3. Week 3Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 3: The Nature of Religious beliefs · 2 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..

4. Week 4Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 4: Elements of Religion. · 2 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..

5. Week 5Module 1: Concept and Meaning of Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 5: Theories of Religion and society. · 2 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..

6. Week 6Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 1: The Relationship between Religion and society · 2 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..

7. Week 7Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 2: Major institutions of society as agencies of Religion · 2 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..

8. Week 8Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 3: Religion and Culture · 2 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..

9. Week 9Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

   • Unit 4: Religion and social change · 2 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..

10. Week 10Module 2: Issues in Sociology of Religion

    • Unit 5: Belief systems in Africa · 2 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..

11. Week 11Module 3: The Role of Religion in the Society

    • Unit 1: The importance of Religion to society · 2 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 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..

12. Week 12Module 3: The Role of Religion in the Society

    • Unit 3: Religion and conflict in Nigeria · 2 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..

13. Week 13Module 3: The Role of Religion in the Society

    • Unit 4: The role of Religion in politics · 2 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..