Overview
Sociology 231: Sociology of Religion is designed to introduce students to the study of religion from a sociological perspective.
Outline
Sociology 231 consists of the six units listed below:
- Unit 1: Introduction
- Unit 2: Opportunistic Corruption
- Unit 3: Superstition, Violence, Intolerance and Evil
- Unit 4: Emergent Religions and Unorganized Belief Systems
- Unit 5: Opportunism Revisited
- Unit 6: Conclusion
Objectives
The course author has the following three overarching objectives:
- to provide instruction in the process of critical sociological thinking.
- to present a historical and sociological overview of religion in the world.
- to encourage awareness and questioning of religious belief systems, including those aspects of the scientific world view that broach religious questions and topics.
Evaluation
To receive credit for Sociology 231, you must achieve a minimum grade of D (50 percent) on the final examinations, and an overall grade of D (50 percent) for the entire course. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Research Essay Outline | 5% |
| Assignment 3 | 10% |
| Assignment 4 | 10% |
| Assignment 5 | 10% |
| Forum Participation | 10% |
| Research Essay | 15% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Lundskow, G. (2008). The sociology of religion: A substantive and transdisciplinary approach. London: Pine Forge Press.
Carrette, J. & King, R. (2005). Selling spirituality: The silent takeover of religion. London: Routledge.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Butler, J. (2006). Born again: The Christian Right globalized. London: Pluto Press.
Other Materials
The course materials also include an online study guide and course manual.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the SOCI 321 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Challenge for credit course registration form