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
Lundskow, G. (2008). The sociology of religion: A substantive and transdisciplinary approach. London: Pine Forge Press. (eText)
Butler, J. (2006). Born again: The Christian Right globalized. London: Pluto Press. (Print)
Carrette, J. & King, R. (2005). Selling spirituality: The silent takeover of religion. London: Routledge. (PDF)
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.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.